Lily Porter

ADP 3

9/16/09

Section 5

 

 

        Derrick Jensen expresses in his article “Beyond Hope” how our society needs optimism but cannot survive the numerous environmental concerns if we have a hopeful attitude.  At first, this seems extremely contradictory, however with his thorough explanations, the reader begins to see how his passionate opposition to hope may be sensible. 

        Of course we are constantly encouraged by our parents, teachers, religious leaders, the media, and the government to have hope.  They urge us to not be discouraged, because hope will get us through anything.  Well Jensen disagrees.  His argument conveys the idea that with hope comes the dependence on other people or things to accomplish the deeds that need to be completed in order for our environment to be taken care of.  If everyone has hope, and relies on others to save the environment, nothing will improve and we will be living in an increasingly dangerous world.  He says that with hope “you are essentially powerless” because you are expecting everything to be settled for you (Jensen).

        Jensen definitely desires to strike a chord in his readers and make us think twice about what society instills in us from a young age, and how we take it all in without a second guess.  His strong convictions and attitude persuade us to not only question our outlook on environmental concerns and ways to solve them, but also to question all we have been taught and anything we take for granted.  This is a wonderful (and probably not coincidental) piece of advice not only for me as a young academic student, but more importantly as an artist.  Art is always more influential when it has context in today’s world.  If I make art that challenges widely accepted views of society that I disagree with, not only will I be standing up for something I believe in, but I will be doing my job as a creative thinker to dare and encourage others to do the same (Jensen). 

        As Professor Trumpey’s model showed on Monday, our actions go about in a circular cycle, not a linear.  The model illustrates that individuals make/have stuff which affects the world, and the world influences and impacts the individual.  Our work is constantly influenced by our environment and experiences.  In turn, whatever we make as artists or designers can potentially affect our peers, our community, or even the world.  That is incredible.  One artist can (and many have) change people’s views on certain issues, encourage people to become active and promote their beliefs (Trumpey).

        Trumpey also made the point that unlike engineers and doctors, there are “no rules for artists and designers, [so] think outside the box!” (Trumpey) We do not have formulas or equations to get wonderful, conceptual or beautiful artwork (although at times that seems like it would be much easier), but it gives us the liberty to do… whatever the hell we want to.  We have the artistic license to create pieces and designs that can influence ideas and help make our environment a more sustainable place.  We have the option and the encouragement to not follow the rules, but to get creative in our problem solving concepts.  Everyone wants to be the rule breaker, and we have that choice.  So let’s break some rules, stop hoping and start creating.

 

Jensen, Derrick. "Beyond Hope." Orion Magazine May 2006: n. pag. Web.

10 Sep 2009. .

 

Trumpey, Joseph. Art Design Perspective 3: Technology and the

Environment. School of Art and Design. Stamps Auditorium,

Ann Arbor, MI. 14 Sep 2009. Lecture.