Point out your own perspective
February 1st, 2009
This world is completely beautiful. Each moment is a precious second in time, and we are lucky for the time that we have on this planet. It is limited, however. Did you know that if you were to look at an individuals available time to create change on this planet in relationship to the total amount of time that mankind has graced this earth, it would be about 15 minutes worth of documented time (according to Biomimicry by Janine M Benyus). What would you do if you had 15 minutes? How much change can you really create?
Recently on a retreat/trip in Virginia, we were in a group of artists, architects, financial and sales people. Each person was there for their own reason, some because it was an annual trip, others because it was an opportunity to get out of town for the weekend and a few of us just wanted to relax and catch up on rest. It was an interesting mix because each person added their own perspective on how they felt the world needed to change and grow. We talked politics, religion, art, design, architecture, money, you name it, but the one common and defined goal was the earth and the importance that it plays in each of our daily and life decisions.
Why wouldn’t one feel a sense of perspective knowing that everything that one feels has some relationship or sense to the planet? This morning it was 56 degrees; a warm 56. Sitting outside, we basked in the sun on this early February morning writing and talking. Our moods were directly effected by the warmth and gentle sway of the trees. The consensus of the group is that environment contains a huge sense of ones perspective.
I spent significant time with an artist Megan Mueller. Her work focuses on perspective using maps as her key influence. The maps are her way out of her current reality and into another place. They are beautifully sculpted into wall reliefs, providing a perfect balance between light and space, bringing the viewer into another place. The relationship between her vision and her global thinking shows us that again, we are just tiny dots in space. “It is humbling to understand your own place and where you want to go,” she says, “but it provides a strong perspective to think about where else you can go.”
If we really only have about 15 minutes to make a difference, how do we create real change? In essence, the real change needs to come from each person’s own personal perspective, with a global mindset and constant collaboration.
The countdown is here. What’s your perspective?
Work by Megan Mueller
Light and shadows with white paper and a glass.
The gentle sway of the trees.
February 1st, 2009
Posted by Rachael
February 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
This post really pinpoints the dichotomy of human existence. We are, in essence, simultaneously alone and connected every second of our lives. We yearn for individuality, but we need the collective to acknowledge and support our singularity.
I think about this often in regards to my band, particularly when observing how much has changed since I was in college learning how to be a professional musician. The internet has exploded our old concepts of connectivity, collaboration, and social networking. Putting up a website and simply listing two-dimensional information is denying the changes that have taken place, and are yet to be made. A holistic connectivity is now the narrative of change. We are our fans, and they are us. We connect by blogging about our passions, emotions, and experiences, we post photos, lyrics, hopes, frustrations, inspirations, links to other creatives; we give ourselves to the collective as multidimensional beings, not just artists.
I think by connecting in this way for 15 minutes, change is certain.