PUBLISHED: 11-17-08

Human Nature

'Repine'

by Jessica Hoekstra
Senior, Fine arts major

I yearn for art of discontentment, art that changes with the wind, with the rise and fall of the temperature, with man’s constant struggle with it. The art I yearn for creates endless conversation. It is not neutral, neither paper nor plastic. I am for an art that longs for something greater.

In an expression of his commitment to change, President-elect Barack Obama profoundly states, “The world as it is, not the world as it has to be.”

My generation in particular has a specific role and responsibility in continuing to breach the gap between where we are and where we should be. We seem to be on the precipice of deep change, with a generation tired of sitting in the mire waiting for someone to do something about it.

My own discontentment with the world as it is inspired this piece.

The word “repine” expresses my desire to be the change. It is a testimony to the belief that art can change the world. I intentionally chose to use paper pulp made from post-consumer U.S. currency and organic

oregano seeds. Both are resources of consumption, though in very different forms, to have an herb that we all taste and smell develop from something that we both love and hate, something that we abuse and don’t expect to give back. It reflects a struggle and tension. This raises the question of how we utilize our resources and communicate with one another and the world around us. In “repine,” there is an unexpected potential for growth and sustainability. It is a statement about our responsibility as humans and citizens, as people who eat, breathe and live.

When I returned to the U.S. after spending a significant amount of time in South Africa, I was overcome and distraught by the consumerism of America. I was thrust back into a materialist mindset very different from the lifestyle I had become accustomed to on the other side of the world. I was both frustrated and saddened by the ignorance and complacency of the American lifestyle. Even now, I very quickly become disheartened by the overall state of things and overwhelmed with the lack of conversation and need for transformation.

I am just one person. If the individuals of our history gave into this belief, our world would be a different place. It is all too easy to belittle the power of the individual. Many moments in transformational history began with the idea or ambition of a single human being. Social activist and peacemaker Jane Addams was just one woman. She made major contributions to social work and was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Addams is one person. I am one person. You are one person.

I find myself encouraged to be a part of the solution rather than give up in disappointment and hopelessness. This piece allowed me to participate in a conversation and to draw others into it, to challenge the world as it is and to long for something different.

The greater world needs more of this, not simply giving in to discontentment and frustration. We need more of this beautiful struggle. We will never begin to see change in the world beyond our own if we do not start small, in our day-to-day encounters with people who struggle with this messy earth.

The aim of “Natural Tendencies” is to show the relationships between humans and nature, as well as to better understand human nature.

If you would like to submit to Human “Natural Tendencies,” please contact Kevin Fuller at (312) 369-8505 or ">.

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