Another political season rises and sets. If you are a radical, like myself, there is little joy in politics. We have the potential for great energy and passion in the political arena; evidenced by the last presidential race when we propelled Ron Paul to being the best-funded republican candidate, despite his only comprising about 5% of the vote. But most political seasons I feel deflated and unimportant. I see little hope; I cast my ballot for radicals; and I see no progress. Such is the curse of having unpopular opinions.
But I have chosen a profession in the arts; the purpose of which is to give people hope. When I remember this, the questions that incessantly run through my mind get set aside, and begin to go quiet. I create a peaceful place, and in this place an idea is formed that does not react or respond to the actions of the people around me, but instead is generated at the center, in the middle of my being, and spreads outwards. This is how art is made. And it makes me realize that perhaps one of the most effective ways of changing society is simply to offer a vision of beauty; and let the indirect consequences of that vision unfold.
Sometimes artists dabble in politics, sometimes they comment on political events, sometimes they become the source of major tides of change. But they are always looking beyond the political idiosyncrasies of the day to produce a singular vision that challenges humanity in new and unexpected ways. We always need someone to expand and communicate the realm of possibilities.
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