Bateson and the Arts

Abstract

Purpose

To elucidate the relationship between science and the arts in Gregory Bateson's thinking, from the viewpoint of an artist‐musician and student of Bateson.

Design/methodology/approach

Synthesis.

Findings

One theme that pervaded Gregory Bateson's lifelong contribution was the rich and complex interface between art and science. Artistry (which may occur in either the arts or the sciences) plays across the interface between conscious and unconscious mind and environment. We come in actual practice to an appreciation and a facility for working with total cybernetic systems rather than the fragmented bits and pieces which are taught in conventional education and media. Through the play and discipline of creativity, we are able to experience this total systemic view of mind and nature.

Originality/value

Shows the reader significant ways of seeing the systems nature of our world through the experience and the practice of artistic creativity.

Citation

Nachmanovitch, S. (2007), "Bateson and the Arts", Kybernetes, Vol. 36 No. 7/8, pp. 1122-1133. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920710777919