No cause to worry, the elevator is now in fine working order.
In other news; a reflection inspired by our final debrief together.
Pete asked us what questions we are now asking ourselves as a result
of travelling and learning in Europe. Here’s where I’m at:
I find myself asking ‘What does it take to be an artist, and what
purpose does art serve?’ Certainly there is a huge spectrum of art,
and it is difficult to define, but some things simply cannot be called art, and some simply must. For example, our discussion of Klimt, a racy painter who portrayed women masturbating sparked a meaningful conversation about the difference between pornography and art. I believe that some of the difference lies in the intention of the artist. The same is true of an artist such as Pollock or Picasso. While any child may be capable of some of the same art, the child would be painting with a different intent, and that is where I believe beauty becomes art.
As for what purpose art serves, I just don’t know. Throughout Europe we have seen countless examples of religious propaganda painted by artists who were paid by wealthy church systems. I believe that to a large extent this method of, and purpose for, art has died away. Probably for the better. But that doesn’t meant that art has nothing to say about current religious matters. On the other hand, art can very clearly be a means to voice political messages, as we learned from Goya and Picasso. I suppose that I find myself on a journey to learn how and when art can be used to give voice to social and political injustice, and to find a personal expression of that art form.
First the bus; we life, nearly one day out of every four, together on the bus. There is no escaping the headphone dance parties nor the sleeping seat mates. We, all of us, have been on each other’s nerves at some moment. But we have had an amazing amount of grace towards each other. Greg Finley’s “f” word (flexibility) is ingrained in our minds. We learn to react slowly when we are short on temper, and we learn to tread quietly around those who need their escape. Sleep is perhaps the most efficient method of retreat and escape available on the bus. If the group attitude is to be measured by our use of this technique alone, we must have grown together already. Of course, one must also consider that the brunt of our Spanish and Italian activity packed days have begun to slow down, and we have learned to keep ourselves better rested. Beyond the scope of the bus, I believe we are beginning to understand the degree to which we are responsible to each other as a group. For many it is a slow lesson, and often bittersweet, but there is no escaping it. In each moment, I am responsible to the group, if only because the group is responsible for me.
Culture: There is no telling how many time throughout both Spain and Italy I have arrived at a store only to be disappointed because it is closed for siesta or for Sundays. Of course, my initial response is frustration, firstly because i want to be able to get what i want, and second because i found it impossible to figure out when siesta was for sure. Upon reflection, however, I think I love the idea of siesta. It reflects a cultural value that could not survive in our capitalistic North America.
By