Post 7_Faaria

 

“I’m asking an individual to not only create their own associations with their lived experience but also imagine that same movement embodied by a very different person.”

“So you’re presented with two realities of the same location, one which notes where you actually are and then a limited window that gives you the possibility of seeing that same present tense in a different context.”

Perspective and shared experiences are what bring us all together. The quote encourages them to understand and connect their life experiences to those of different people. What one person feels might not be the same as what the next person feels. Understanding what it might feel like to experience things from a different perspective is crucial, as it encourages empathy among people of a certain culture. The second quote builds on this idea by showing how one reality can hold multiple meanings at once. An experience can feel different depending on who is looking at it. Together, these quotes suggest that reality is not fixed—our understanding of place, identity, and movement changes based on perspective.

“Culture is also what we create through our actions, performances, protests, and other demonstrations in order to communicate our messages and meanings to others.’

“But art is also used to challenge authority and privilege, precisely by challenging how those in power see the world. That privileged perspective is confronted when artists represent reality in different lights, showing the world from different perspectives.”

The first quote explains that culture is not only something we inherit from society but also something we actively create through our actions, performances, protests, and demonstrations. This means that every act of expression contributes to shaping the values, ideas, and messages that society shares. Secondly, art can challenge different perspectives in power in this world. It is definitely a form of resistance. It can evoke emotions in people and show the reality of a situation from a different lens. This can force people to get out of their comfort zones and actually pay attention to things that matter. This awareness can inspire change in our society. For example, a recent instance that comes to my mind is all pop artists wearing the “ICE OUT” pins at the Grammys in 2026.

Performance Piece: The Void

I really admired Yoko Ono’s instructions and her Cut Piece performance, which had so much audience participation. The art then shifts into the hands of the audience from the artist. Audience participation, interpretation, and understanding give the art its final essence. On the other hand, I found the concept behind Kazimir Malevich’s black square very intriguing. The concept is basically inspired by the amalgamation of artworks by respective artists whose interpretations lie in the eyes of the viewer.

The thought process behind this piece is that something as simple as a black square can be so thought-provoking, and it's up to the person how they interpret it. So I chose to go with a black circle, which will symbolize the Void. It could signify something endless, empty, or a portal. This simple black circle will have different meanings depending on who is looking at it.

Instructions:

1. I will stand in front of the class holding a blank white sheet of paper with a big black circle called “The Void."

2. I will say:

“Please look at the void fixedly for 10 seconds.”

“Tell me what it makes you contemplate.”

3. Any volunteers will be invited to say one word or phrase that comes to mind when they look at the void

4. I will write their words on the blank paper. It becomes part of the final artwork.

5. Once several words are written, I will hold the paper up again and say:

“The void means something.”

“Now it belongs to everyone.”

“Sometimes emptiness only needs a voice.”

THE VOID