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Having now discussed the five artworks and the ideas that influenced their design, the
exegesis will consider the methodology employed in their research and development. A
methodology that served this project had to be useful for both gathering data and for the
creative processing of connections and resonances within that data. It had to provide a
flexible structure that allowed conversations between data and emerging outcomes.
heuristics as a methodological approach
This project employs a heuristic model of research that allows divergent approaches to
be applied to data gathering and processing. Heuristics may be framed as a qualitative
method 60 of research where no pre-established formula exists for resolving the research
question (Moustakis, 1990; Kleining & Witt, 2000; Ings, 2004; Wood, 2004). Heuristics
uses informal approaches and experience. It utilises forms of trial and error as a method
of heightening the potential for discovery in new work. The methodology relies on the
researcher identifying information, discovering similarities through frequent questioning
(which may be accomplished by asking questions of the diverse data gathered) and
guesswork.
However, although methodology theorists like Moustakis (1990) and Kleining & Witt
(2000) refer to guesswork, I would suggest that this is in fact the skilled application of
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tacit knowledge, which forms the basis for critical decision-making. In this regard,
heuristics may be understood as emphasising the flexible application of tacit knowledge
as a method of solving multifaceted and complex creative problems.
Although heuristics is used in science, social science and education, it is useful to this
present project because of its flexible nature. Reflections on Lal Batti uses tacit
60 Qualitative refers to research in which the researcher explores relationships using textual, rather than
quantitative data. Results are not usually considered generalisable, but are sometimes transferable.
61 The concept of tacit knowledge was articulated by the philosopher Michael Polayni. Tacit knowledge
may be understood as knowledge that we have often gained through exposure and experience but may not
know we possess. Tacit knowledge has been described in Polanyni’s aphorism: “We know more than we can
tell”. Thus, tacit knowledge consists often of habits and cultural understandings and insights that we may
not recognise we possess (See: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/polanyi.html).
62 Without a high level of experience on the part of the researcher, heuristics as a methodology could not
function effectively because there would be insufficient basis to inform critical differentiation between
potentials in the work. In this research I am enabled by my cultural background, my work in the red light
districts of an Indian city, and my years of experience as a fashion designer and garment constructor. These
backgrounds help me to make relatively informed decisions about the potential of emerging designs and
their contexts.
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