By: Neerja Caprihan
In a world constantly buzzing with happenings, some thankfully more pleasant than others, there are always little nuggets that stand out. Here’s 1 one that caught the eye. For those readers that have not heard of Banksy 2, it doesn’t really help to be told that he is an anonymous artist by all accounts. What is worthy of mention is that his widely-recognized works of stenciled spray-paint make people take note – some make the art historians excited, several make authorities uncomfortable, most make the common man happy, and above all, each one of them not only makes news headlines, but makes thinking folks, well, think some more.
How closely does an artwork mirror reality though? Those among us that are conversant with literary criticism or philosophy, will also be familiar with the term ‘Mimesis’ 3 meaning imitation, or mimicry. Plato and his student Aristotle have written extensively on all art being an imitation of life and nature. Plato did not think highly of art, considering it to be an imitation of what was already a copy, and hence twice-removed from the original (the divine Ideal Form). Aristotle, on the other hand, appreciated art because he saw the potential for gleaning knowledge and awareness from this very same imitation.
The suggestion of animals escaping from under a shutter opening is interesting. If we follow the Aristotelian strain of thought, what can we take away from it? If this is an imitation of reality, it is not just charming enough to look at, but profound enough to spark a discussion. What are these animals escaping from? Moreover, what are they hoping to escape into?
The answers to both questions could vary depending on individual perspective. A planet with land and water resources that are either depleted or simply too polluted? An environment with woefully scarce fresh air? Food that is neither wholesome nor organic? Looming economic uncertainties? Communities that are caught up in strife and stress? Technology that creates as many problems as it resolves? Administrations that are too caught up in mediocrity or mundane to wake up to change? If all of the above sounds dark and dreary, that’s because it is.
Everyone wants a better world. Everyone needs a better world. Everyone deserves a better world. But there isn’t any point talking of deserving, without being willing to serve first. So as President J.F.Kennedy’s much-quoted words suggest, let’s ask ourselves what we can do, or do better. We can be better at everything, because really there is always scope for advancement, for refinement and for excellence. For instance, and for a start, just a series of clicks can make us a better investor already if we decide to be more socially responsible.
The animals are escaping a world they presumably didn’t like, to one they still won’t (if only they knew). The question is, where will humans escape to?
PHOTO CREDIT: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/adrianh
VIA SHUTTERSTOCK
FOOTNOTES:
1 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c623qjpgew4o
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy
3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimesis
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