The light from a distant star is billions of years old by the time it reaches your eye here on Earth. It is only now that your eye is able to view it. Your present mind interprets its meaning. It may go unnoticed, phased out by city lights or clouds. Or, it may hold a special place in your heart, evoking the memory of a distant place, a deceased relative, a time of joy, or a childhood dream. Something created a billion years ago, suddenly has unexpected and unintended meaning to an unknown recipient. This meaning can influence interaction, conversation, and behavior. This simple light has power. I think art works in the much the same way.
I was not alive when many of my favorite musical compositions, paintings, sculptures, poems and pieces of art were created. I was not there to understand the sociological or psychological factors that may have inspired their creation. I interpret them through my lens — which also changes over time. Art changes its meaning when placed in the context of time and human experience. Art is personal and at the same time social. It is both a variable and a constant. Social media gives us a new ability to quantify that meaning, and to trace its changes through time — on both a personal and sociatal level. Potentially everyone is simultaneously an artist and an art historian, though we may choose different mediums for expression.
I believe art in an age of social media presents amazing possibilities for engagement, interpretation, and creativity. Imagine being able to read what it was like to see the light created on a distant star when it first appeared, following the journey it took to reach your eye and the eyes of others, and then tracking it as it continues forward into the unknown. What insight could you take away from that experience?
As art becomes more interactive, it takes on new meaning. When someone walks through a museum and posts their thoughts on Facebook they seek to start a conversation. They begin with an interpretation. This yields discussion. Discussion then leads to new levels of meaning and understanding. The art has changed as has the person interpreting the art. The conversation becomes an integral part of the art itself. Through time, this creates a virtuous cycle where by humanity is engaged in applying deeper meaning to that which surrounds us — past, present, and future. That which was created at an earlier time, continues to shine a light that may mean something to someone, somewhere, somehow.
Look to the sky. Do you see that distant light? What does it make you feel? Share that feeling with the world. Express it. Create from that which was created long ago and empower others to do the same.
This is a post that I originally authored for my friend Scott Hull’s site Visual Ambassador. Recently, I was thinking about this idea, and decided to share it here too.
Photo “Traveling Stars” courtesy of Dhilung Kirat
“When someone walks through a museum and posts their thoughts on Facebook they seek to start a conversation. They begin with an interpretation. This yields discussion. Discussion then leads to new levels of meaning and understanding. ”
Oh, how I want so much to believe this! What I see lacking on Facebook (and perhaps it’s only my experience, though I doubt it from what I see and hear from my connections and “face-to-face” friends) is precisely what you claim its beauty is—conversation! I see thoughts. I see pleas for attention. I see people struggling with loneliness wanting to be assured that they are heard and remembered. Shoot, I use facebook for that sometimes too! And when there’s an interpretation that someone doesn’t like? Why is it that we, as a society, struggle so much with conversation? Especially difficult ones, or ones that are in opposition to what we believe. When will be able to sit down and converse about things we don’t understand or don’t believe with respect and interest?
THIS is what we mean when we say civility is lacking in America. I’m not asking people to believe what I believe. I merely want you to understand. And I want to understand your opposing point of view. But don’t assume that I will change my point of view either. And will you still be able to respect me? I’m very excited that the League of Women Voters in Greater Dayton Area will be hosting a forum soon on civility in which best friends—who happen to also be the respective leaders of the Democrat and Republican parties in this area—and Professor Forni—an expert in civility—for a discussion on civil discussions. I hope EVERYONE considers attending.
And, David, I hope to have many more conversations with you…and other Facebook friends.
–Monica
Monica,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. I think social media and social interaction provide us with the opportunity to create beauty & meaning. Still, the presence of that opportunity does not guarantee we as a people will properly act upon it. Respectful interaction and conversation does require civility, and being civil with others is a choice. If we want to create beauty, it is easy to do so. If we choose to simply make noise, or worse spread hate and vitriol, we effectively choose to squander the opportunity to create light and inspiration. I suppose it is not for me to decide what is right for others, but rather to be comfortable in what is right for me while also treating the rest of humanity with respect. Someone, somewhere in the future will explore all these conversations and marvel at our collective ignorance — and if we are lucky perhaps they will also find beauty and meaning. Keep me and others posted on the date of that event. Sounds great.