#artspeakinterns

These pebbles may seem unreal, just photoshopped or a trick of the light. That is, if you don’t consider Korean artist Hwang Samyong. 

Who am I? I always find it difficult to put words on describing myself. I could possibly describe what i see in myself when I look in a mirror. I could even think about characteristics that I possess. But, to join all of these various, tangentially related qualities, would require a single word that sums me up. Frankly, I don’t think there is one. I am just Ahab. When I think of myself, physically or emotionally, all I can really say is that I’m Ahab. 

Labels are quite possibly the best and worst of societies inventions. 

Of course, at first thought, labels are horrible. They reinforce certain characteristics, encourage racial profiling, and strengthen “society’s” power over the people. For example, when labeled as “Indian”, people are superficially assumed to always eat curry and to smell like garlic. Although this is a somewhat silly example, it clearly demonstrates the problems labeling has.

At the same time, labels (in some circumstances) actually create unity. The idea of nationalism is all based on labels. Being proud of who you are is a pride of the labels you have associated with you. For example, if people think you are a good soccer player, you might swell with pride because the label allows you to revel in the possibilities of being a famous soccer player or athlete.