Individuality

OK...was THAT art?
"I could do that!", said my eight year old son.

My family and I just got back from an amazing five days in New York City. If there is one place in the world that speaks to the strengths of pride in one's individuality it is this (major understatement) bustling city.

As one walks quickly down the narrow street-valleys you are bombarded by sounds, advertising, people, cars, street vendors, restaurant owners and corporations all trying to get your attention, some of your time and your cash. If one walks those streets with little to no confidence in oneself the magnetism of the attention grabbers will be too strong. One needs to be headstrong to survive unscathed.

This point, the importance of individuality, was finally struck home as I walked the expansive spaces of the MoMA.

A wire pegged in place on a wall with five or six pins. A simple chair. A can of soup. A canvass painted purple - only purple. A Picasso. A Matisse. A Pollock.

I hate it!
I love it!
Why did she paint it that way?
What was he thinking??

Does it matter? Be yourself. Be true to your emotions. Be real, be authentic. Be YOU. All these artists were and look at where they ended up. Not bad.


Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!

Comments

alcino said…
I agree. New York City is not the right place for fakers or pretenders, sooner or later they will realize that.
Justine said…
i like this. Im trying to find my individuality and with everything in our world and the way it is society has actually made finding your own identity pretty hard.
Olivier said…
Thanks both for your comments. It does get harder to keep our individuality with so much crashing into our heads. Slow down, think about who you are and be true to it.

Popular posts from this blog

Banning Russian Teams and Athletes

A Personal Request

Ash Barty