Abstract

The central theme of the research project presented in this paper is the act of looking (as an event in physical and social space) at the way a person is looking. An essential part of this investigation concerns the development of a creative method; the Matrix Method. This method makes use of ‘matrices’ as tools to generate experiences and creative ideas by using the look as a layered way of acting. With this method we develop tools for collaboration, so that people can solve the types of problems that are characteristic of their domain or discipline. This might be architectural design, but we have also tackled communication, acting, and organization development. The research project makes use of images in a particular way. It is concerned with the specific use of images in every stage of the research process (context, method, fieldwork, discussions), as well as during the work sessions; while making use of the Matrix Method, images get an essential role in the creative process. This paper will guide the reader through the important parts of this research project in order to elucidate the intertwinement of looking to a context (during the research process and the workshops) and handling and manipulating images.