Walk of Causes

An interesting take on video art/documentary, and bringing about awareness.



Follow these two documentarists on youtube as they publish new episodes weekly. http://www.youtube.com/user/walkingstars

Rant

Today we had our group critiques, and as i expected I received my usual push-back for what I'm trying to do in my MFA which is a subject of much debate in my mind as well. However, when I was asked the question, "Why are you even trying to get your Masters?" It forced me into this desire to rage a little bit, not at Edinburgh College of Art, but all Fine Art Institutions like the one I came from, Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.

Let me see: I am here because I, like many privileged, causation, young Americans, have traveled to many places, met many incredible people and have seen things that obviously have got to change. But unlike many privileged, causation, young Americans, I actually want to do something about it instead of shake my head and say, "Well isn't that just too bad?" At the age of seventeen I was able to travel to Uganda and The Congo where I realized (somewhat) what I wanted to do with my life: I wanted to help, whatever way I can. But what can I do? I am a mere artist who was conditioned by society that I am only allowed to create compelling works of art shown to an illite and wealthy crowd who apparently are the only ones smart enough to understand it. Thinking these things made me depressed and feel useless. In the words of my Lebanese friend regarding the average person in poor and struggling countries, "No one gives a shit about Fine Art". Why I am here, trying to achieve my MFA, is to try to find out how art can coincide with helping people.

Delving into the messy pit of philanthropy or activism, or anything that has to do with "helping" those less fortunate is a scary endeavor. Scary because so many people, whether it be with good intent or ill will under the guise of good intent have done more damage than good. Because of this, people have become wary of attempting to help, or of people who wish to do so. But just because the idea seems impossible, does that mean we shouldn't even try? Without even waiting to see what I have done in the past, people tell me with a great deal of caution in their face, to be careful not to exploit anyone, step on anyone's toes and then question what my motives are or if I even have a right to do this. Others say that it is not enough to help the giant problems that affect people all over the world which grow worse by the day. One of my professors here at ECA even made a valid point by saying that a bandaid wont help an amputee.

But perhaps I am too much of a pessimist when I say the world is far too messed up for me or anyone to fix. And I have no intention of fixing an amputated limb. However, just because I am pessimistic enough to believe that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket, doesn't mean that I am not going to do the best I can to help the reverse. As a privileged, causation, young American, I have the ability to do a great deal, and I wish that more people would think the same way. If I can live my life knowing that I helped just one person, then that would be better than if I do nothing at all. 

Beginning of the Second Semester

            After a tremulous beginning at my school Edinburgh College of Art, I have come back from the States for Christmas, jet lagged, but ready to go! There is an art project that I began before I left Scotland about a month ago, that I feel obligated to finish, but now have lost the steam and inspiration to do so. However, being that I have a particular hatred of not finishing something that I have started, I will begin working on it, while I start new (and perhaps better) projects.

            This project, that I am less inclined to finish, is about how (in my opinion) people in the western world tend to shut off to what is happening in the world because of mass media which is filled with corruption and driven by money. It will consist of two video screens. One of the screens will be following an individual who lives somewhere in the western world. The backdrops will be paintings and the character will be still images that I place in these paintings. As it follows his or her life within a day, the viewer will see subtle images of actual issues that occur in the world in a familiar way, like posters, commercials, etc. The other screen will be live footage of the people and places that are being portrayed by the posters and commercials. Essentially the second screen is showing the viewer a closer look to what my character sees in passing.

            Another idea that I am more excited about is perhaps doing a collaborative piece. I am inspired by the Center of New Hope in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where children who have been suffering emotionally, physically and mentally due to the affects of war draw their experiences then tear up the paper and turn them into necklaces to sell and make money for their school fees. Being that this is an idea that just entered into my head, there is a great deal of research and thinking that I have to do before knowing exactly what it is I would be doing. Meanwhile, I will continue working on what I have started.