We all couldn't believe the quality of food and that there weren't students milling around trying to stuff free food in their backpacks and such, as would probably happen at our own schools. A woman told us that all the food that was put out and not eaten would be thrown out, so of course we exchange students felt it was our duty to save the poor food from the garbage, and give it a nice home in our fridges. I was able to get 11 peaches and apples, and the guys at the table filled their backpacks with cookies.
Today there was a convocation ceremony, filled with speeches from the president and provost (which I suppose is like the head dean). Someone in the audience commented that it looked like Hogwart's school with all of the robes.
I found the final speech by the provost to be quite didactic, speaking about global warming a lot and how it was our duty as artists to change the world. Which was way too preachy in my opinion. Sure, if you want to save the world, all power to you, but I don't feel it's my duty as an artist. So I was disappointed about that. It will be interesting to see if they have this kind of attitude in individual departments like painting & photo. I hope not!
2 comments:
You get to make a lot of choices as an artist: the materials you use, the message your work sends, and after you've left school you may be leading people who make those same decisions. Before you dismiss the message as preachy think about your impact. Will you buy pigments made with heavy metals? They aren't good for you, or the environment.
West coast love...
Yes, I agree with you (anonymous) that each person should make actions in their own lives to do what's best for the environment, for making the world a better place, of course, but what about art for art's sake? I guess I do try to change the world a bit, now that I think about it, as I usually do things with a feminist sensibility, so, good point.
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