The 25 September in terms of organizational structure and reassertion of what we mean to each other as an association remains a pinnacle to which many failed to climb or fully understand on the day in question. I have spent days after this day reminding each of you what that weekend meant besides the opening of KASI.
If my reading of the historical manifesto of the Creative Industries Consortium did not heighten our sense of understanding of where we are going in acknowledgement of those who have been here before us and the fertile conditions, in terms of possibilities, within which we are operating, then nothing will, then all things fail, for we cannot see beyond our limitations which actually defeats the core of our association and insults the day we found our way to the art museum.
The lamentations, the cry that I am wailing here is that of openness and open mindedness, it is a cry for self acceptance, it is that of letting go of our cultural barriers, it is that of, even at certain moments in the future, reevaluating our beliefs systems in order that we reach nirvana – freedom. For if what we are about or think we are all about limits our association with other people we are a micro spec of sand lost in the wind.
Let us be conscious that as long as we regard our individualism as paramount and neglect to acknowledge other people around us we run a risk of walking away from the situation at the Pretoria Art Museum having gained nothing in terms of enrichment. Yes we may move on to better situations as far as employment is concerned but we will not have had the chance of scratching the surface of group dynamics. The scratching of the present groups dynamics which surrounds us will enforce where we may spent the better part of our professionalism in the future. Let us move a little further.
Artist
Guide
Curator
These three terms, their order of appearance here is insignificant, they may appear simplistic listed as they are however they represent the three persona’s of the Education Assistant before their ideal actualization. I shall clarify my meditation so that we can move in one rhythm. When a visual artist aspirant, when a guide aspirant or more so when an art administrator aspirant makes their first appearance at the Pretoria Art Museum, the museum represents a gateway towards the actualization of the three terms above and beyond, however work must be done persistently towards these points. What stands between the aspirant and their goal is the rigorous preparation that they will undergo through the Preparatory Programme.
At this point in time we may deal with the question ushered in by the word ‘ideal’ which appears in the first paragraph above after the stating of the three personas. The ideals of the education assistant may be known or unknown however it does not take a soothsayer to know that they are tied neatly with the volunteer’s yearn to ‘being a successful some body’ at the end of their term at the museum. What I mean is that the volunteer becomes involved in the museum because the volunteer wants best developments in order that they are better positioned to make a living. How is this ‘best’ achieved? It cannot be achieved single handedly, it can only be achieved through group dynamics that work. Let us list the terms again, at this instance elaborating what each means to clear out confusion once and for all.
a) The Artist makes Artworks.
b) The Guide introduces and discusses the Artwork.
c) The Curator conceptualizes an exhibition, researches and presents the artworks formally for public consumption.
Now the reader can appreciate just how mutually inclusive these terms are to each other. Each of these terms, or if you will personas of the Education Assistant, cannot be without the existence of the other two. So when tradition of our group dynamics begs that we come together whether in doing work or a little get together to relax or celebrate it is not a question of domination or of rendering our racial difference or culture bare and apparent in order that we may be reminded that we are different from each other. It is a step towards revitalizing what we mean to each other as we chart a new pathway in visual development. It is to bring human nature itself into work, so that work can be worthwhile.
Aspirant, no monster is so rough, no monster is so illusive and crippling and distorting than pride. Get rid of it. Or get riddled in it, after all the choice remains with you. However if you are a team member be a team player – be love conscious.
4 Octobver 2010
