“I believe that artist has an obligation to society.” -- Marina Abramovic
As we mourn the deaths of numerous individuals who have fallen victim to racial and institutionalized discrimination (that includes both Black Americans and cops), many will feel true emotion. Scattered all throughout both social and mainstream media, there will be the display of these emotions and hate that has been brewed from tragedy.
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Unfortunately, a post or a news coverage never truly captures the pain of an individual. I have peers who strongly feel directly affected by the tragedies that have occurred within the discrimination, and seeing their tears firsthand affects me unlike any other caps-locked post on Facebook.
On a post or a news coverage, you can choose to keep scrolling and choose to not feel what the victims of racism, or that of any hate, feel. But if that same individual spoke to you in person with a cocktail of confusion, anger and sadness on their face and voice, you do not have the choice to scroll away and ignore. You are forced to experience the tragedy first hand through the victim’s presence.
I have always wished that these emotions felt under such circumstances could be displayed to the audience in a fashion that they are forced to feel. A medium that can serve as a bridge between the individuals who are directly affected by such tragedies and those who are not at all.
I personally believe that this medium is art. Whether it’s poetry, music, murals or a dance performance, art itself is at its peak when it is generated from intense emotion. I believe that successful art is able to grab the gut feelings of an audience and force them understand the emotions of the artist.
“I believe so much in the power of performance I don't want to convince people. I want them to experience it and come away convinced on their own.” -- Marina Abramovic
Along with angry posts and shallow news coverage on mainstream news channels, sprinkled among them are powerful pieces of art displayed by individuals who understand the responsibility of an artist during times like these. That intimate relationship between the artist and his or her audience is crucial. Generations to come will never comprehend the horrors of humanity unless the emotions are documented.
So, to all the artists, I believe it is your responsibility to never filter yourself. And to the audience, expose yourself to the art and consider the flesh behind the skin.
