Repurposing may start from a goal of problem-solving, as in “What materials can we use to build a fence?” This type of thinking is convergent — it begins with a problem to be solved, and narrows down the best available solutions.
But some of the most innovative repurposing starts instead with divergent thinking. Where convergent thinking is goal-oriented, divergent thinking is open-ended. It poses the question:
What ELSE can I do with this thing?
So in the case of the ski fence above, its builder might have started with “What can I do with these old discarded skis?” Practicing divergent thinking is one of the best ways to enhance your creativity. This exploratory mode of thinking feels like play. It gives you permission to follow your curiosity and imagination. Allowing the mind to wander and explore ideas that might seem silly can feel freeing, even joyful. But divergent thinking isn’t silly at all. It’s a way to break out of habitual patterns, see the world in a new light, and make use of what you already have on hand.
Examples from artists
Artists are of course not the only ones who practice repurposing or divergent thinking, but artists’ creative practices are great examples of how divergent thinking can lead to innovations. Below are two examples of artists who repurposed discarded objects. On the left are used plastic gasoline jugs hung from the ceiling in an installation at the entrance to John Akomfrah’s “Purple” (Hirschhorn Museum, Washington, DC.) The “toxic cloud” of illuminated plastic jugs set the tone for this six-channel video installation about the tragedy of environmental degradation. On the right are old plumb bobs hung in an array at an artist’s loft in the West Village, NYC. Because this artist had a profound interest in planetary forces, the choice of plumb bobs served as more than decor; they underlined the very concept of gravity.
Sometimes, alternative uses come to mind just because of the atmosphere or vibe of a place. The Goodall Center for Environmental Studies Center at Wofford College, SC, is situated in an textile mill town. While participating in a short art-science residency there, the river and cotton mill guided my thoughts toward weaving. Sitting on the front porch in the evening, I let my mind wander and began to imagine the railing could temporarily serve as a frame for the warp and weft of a loom.
Divergent thinking in other fields
What might divergent thinking mean for other knowledge workers? Scientists often have outdated equipment or supplies lying around the lab; educators have leftover materials from student projects cluttering the back of a cabinet; nonprofits have lists of volunteers who could be engaged in new ways. We all have “junk” that could be repurposed. No matter what your field, you will benefit from the challenge of practicing some divergent thinking.
Try this:
Start with some common household objects — a paper clip, a a brick, a rubber band — and see how many uses you can think of. Or consider “junk” that has accumulated. Before you toss it, what else could it be used for? Let your mind wander, and you just might stumble on something interesting.
Want more tools to boost your creativity? Take a look at SparkJuiceFlow workshops.
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