#constructivism

2025-04-24

today, april 24, in rome, a conference @ john cabot university: umberta telfener, “the systemic frame. the teachings of heinz von foerster”

THE SYSTEMIC FRAME.
THE TEACHINGS OF HEINZ VON FOERSTER
a talk by
Umberta Telfener

today – April 24 at 6pm
John Cabot University
Via della Lungara 233, Rome
ROOM GL1

 or online here:
LINK TO THE Teams MEETING

The systemic conceptual frame implies a change in the way we see the world, a non-linear causality, the utilization of multiple layers of observation and explanation. We do not look at the tree alone nor at the forest; we consider the relationship among the two and we get information by the differences which create a difference. This paradigmatic shift does not come immediately nor is it natural. Our western languages utilize a subject, an action and an object (the cat runs after the mouse) and we are used to a simplification of interactions. 

The systemic point of view has as a mandate to respect complexity.

I was lucky enough to meet Heinz von Foerster, a Viennese physicist considered the father of constructivism and second order cybernetics. In the seminar I will start talking about his teachings and will develop their implications for everyday life.

What are the epistemological implications of von Foerster’s proposal? Respecting complexity, reflexivity, constructivism, the observing system, individuals as self-organizing systems, positioning, the isomorphism between micro and macro, the political and ethical stances, are all concepts that have to do with his theoretical perspective. We will talk about it.

*

Umberta Telfener is a health psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, professor at the therapeutic school of Milan, Milan Approach, and President of the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA). She taught for ten years at the School of Specialization in Health Psychology at the University of Rome La Sapienza and since the 1980s has been a relationship manager for foreign relations at the Centro Milanese di Terapia della Famiglia.

https://neocyberneticcrew.org

#complexity #constructivism #cybernetics #differences #HeinzVonFoerster #JohnCabotUniversity #reflexivity #systemicConceptualFrame #systemicFrame #systemicPointOfView #UmbertaTelfener

2025-04-16

Varvara Stepanova, Книга и революция (The Book and the Revolution), 1929 and 1930.

Often mentioned only alongside her husband, Alexander Rodchenko (whose photography was used here), Stepanova was an accomplished artist in her own right. She designed the covers and interiors of this journal of politics, culture, criticism, and bibliography.⁠

#VarvaraStepanova #WomenDesigners #Constructivism #Lettering #Russian #GraphicDesign #1920s

Magazine cover with purple and brown ink on foxed cream paper. The title is set above a monochrome photograph of a city square printed in purple. Geometric patterns surround the title and photograph.Magazine cover with purple and yellow ink on cream paper. The title is set above a monochrome photograph of canons printed in purple.
2025-04-15

april 24, rome, a conference @ john cabot university: umberta telfener, “the systemic frame. the teachings of heinz von foerster”

THE SYSTEMIC FRAME.
THE TEACHINGS OF HEINZ VON FOERSTER
a talk by
Umberta Telfener

April 24 at 6pm
John Cabot University
Via della Lungara 233, Rome
ROOM GL1

 or online here:
LINK TO THE Teams MEETING

The systemic conceptual frame implies a change in the way we see the world, a non-linear causality, the utilization of multiple layers of observation and explanation. We do not look at the tree alone nor at the forest; we consider the relationship among the two and we get information by the differences which create a difference. This paradigmatic shift does not come immediately nor is it natural. Our western languages utilize a subject, an action and an object (the cat runs after the mouse) and we are used to a simplification of interactions. 

The systemic point of view has as a mandate to respect complexity.

I was lucky enough to meet Heinz von Foerster, a Viennese physicist considered the father of constructivism and second order cybernetics. In the seminar I will start talking about his teachings and will develop their implications for everyday life.

What are the epistemological implications of von Foerster’s proposal? Respecting complexity, reflexivity, constructivism, the observing system, individuals as self-organizing systems, positioning, the isomorphism between micro and macro, the political and ethical stances, are all concepts that have to do with his theoretical perspective. We will talk about it.

*

Umberta Telfener is a health psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, professor at the therapeutic school of Milan, Milan Approach, and President of the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA). She taught for ten years at the School of Specialization in Health Psychology at the University of Rome La Sapienza and since the 1980s has been a relationship manager for foreign relations at the Centro Milanese di Terapia della Famiglia.

https://neocyberneticcrew.org

#complexity #constructivism #cybernetics #differences #HeinzVonFoerster #JohnCabotUniversity #reflexivity #systemicConceptualFrame #systemicFrame #systemicPointOfView #UmbertaTelfener

2025-04-11

#Constructivism in learning is that students re active constructors of their knowledge

2025-04-05

Varvara Stepanova, flyer for "The Death of Tarelkin", 1922.

Often mentioned only alongside her husband, Alexander Rodchenko, Stepanova was an accomplished artist in her own right. Along with this flyer, she also designed the sets for the production. While it’s not known if she designed the costumes for this production, the image is very similar to the geometric clothing she created for other plays.

#VarvaraStepanova #WomenDesigners #Constructivism #Lettering #CostumeDesign #Theater #Russian

Brown paper with rough edges. Printed on the paper is a black figure rendered in geometric shapes and striped clothing. Cyrillic lettering surrounds the figure.
2025-04-04

"Cetacea" 2023
Architectural concrete sculpture, only one made. This sculpture contained 4 pieces; a ground plate, interior disc, cover and top piece. The loose interior disc & top piece makes it possible to give the sculpture different set ups and appearances.

Dimensions and weight:
Length: 31 cm / 12 ¼ Inches
Width: 19 cm / 7 ½ Inches
Height: 11.5 cm / 4 ½ Inches
Weight: +/- 2.8 Kg / 2.2 lbs

Sold and shipped ✈️ to La France 🇫🇷

Sugar Labssugar_labs
2025-03-05

A discussion in our Matrix chat today:

Q: What is Constructionism?

A: "It is a bit more than learn by doing. We add some additional components: (1) scaffolding in the form of well-designed microworlds; (2) collaborative environment that includes peer and mentors; (3) tools for reflection; (4) the ability to share and expand upon the tools and the content." -- @walterbender

2025-02-24
Just playing around with my new fineliners. They are so much fun! Slight filtering since the lighting in here is terrible, but was in a bit of a constructivist mood.

#monochromemonday #monochrome #finelinerart #fineliner #constructivism #mastoart #sketch
Five parts in black ink on a white background: 

1) A square with triangles just off three of its sides, with four thick lines next to dashed ones behind it like a shooting star
2) An acute triangle of dots next to it, the dots get smaller and more spread out as it expands 
3) To the right of that, four bands of dots of decreasing size, in the general formation of an inverted isosceles triangle 
4) Below that, two squares containing straight lines making the shape of a circle - the larger square has thin "circle" lines and the smaller square has larger ones. The opposite thickness is used for lines in the gap around the circle, at right angles.
5) At the bottom left of the page it's all black with the shape of a fluttering ribbon. The underside has dots on, and there are some white circles in the darkness.
earthlingappassionato
2025-02-19

The Dream of Reality: Heinz Von Foerster's Constructivism, Second Edition by Lynn Segal, 2001

What if there were no objective facts, no objective truth, no objectivity at all, only our belief in them? What if our consciousness itself is an unconscious invention, constructed out of logic and language?

@bookstodon



In this thought-provoking volume, Lynn Segal describes how the ideas of Heinz von Foerster compel us to explore the question, "Do we discover the world or do we invent it?" 
and suggests that we must first know how we think before we can claim knowledge of the world. The resulting philosophy, Constructivism, examines the limits of what we can know and argues that understanding these limits can lead us to be more responsible for our personal and collective behavior. After tracing the historical transition from religious belief to a belief in science, Segal examines objectivity from semantic, philosophical, and neurological perspectives. Segal shows that we can never achieve objectivity and that the scientific method ensures only a consensus among observers. Next, he details how language and logic unwittingly predetermine the very conclusions we derive when we try to know the world. Finally, he describes a computational model of cognition that does not depend on first positing the world to account for cognition and consciousness. While Constructivism may seem relevant only to those in the cognitive sciences, it is, in fact, highly relevant to everyone. Paradoxically, grasping the limits of our own under-standing can free us to live more creative and meaningful personal and professional lives.
Bauhausianbauhausian
2025-02-10

The Bauhaus and Soviet Constructivism, as avant-garde movements, had mutual interactions and influences between the two 🏢

🎨 Shukhov Tower, Vladímir Shukhov 1920-1922

Shukhov Tower, Vladímir Shukhov 1920-1922
Tjasker Design | Philipptjasker
2025-01-28

De geometriserende abstractie van kleurelementen tegen de donkere achtergrondelementen creëert diepte | The geometric abstraction of colour elements against the dark background elements creates depth.
Heinrich Siepmann in @Kueppersmuehle

Tjasker Design | Philipptjasker
2025-01-24

Als ontwerper wordt mijn blik altijd getrokken naar eenvoudige grafische vormen en primaire kleuren | As a designer, my gaze is always drawn to simple graphic forms and primary colours.
Blinky Palermo in @Kueppersmuehle

Roland de Jong Orlandodutchsculptor
2025-01-14

With these 4 small sculptures I participate in the exhibition "Art for Life", as a homage to my dear colleague Anneke Klein Kranenbarg who passed away a year ago.
Opening on the 16th of January at 6.30 p.m. in gallery Wagner in Paris.

Roland de Jong Orlandodutchsculptor
2025-01-14

Almost a year after my dear colleague Anneke Klein Kranenbarg passed away, her partner Edwin has organized the exhibition “Art for Life” at Galerie Wagner in Paris, as a homage to her.
An international group of 9 close colleagues of Anneke will show their work, next to that of hers.
I participate with 4 small sculptures of Cortensteel.
Info: www.galeriewagner.com

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