I am thinking about art as resistance. Whether a mural communicating an important message, a sculpture raising awareness about an endangered species, or a work commemorating civil rights, Beltline art tells a story of collective strength.

Though Northern White is a sculpture reminding us of an endangered species, it reminds me of Eugène Ionesco’s play, Rhinoceros (1959). In the play, the central character refuses to become a rhinoceros. He refuses to capitulate to groupthink, fascist leadership, and corruption as embodied (within the play) by becoming a rhinoceros. Rhinoceros is resistance. Art as resistance is dangerous. Art as resistance is ideas and information and messages that reach people and change hearts. Art as resistance is a language that speaks to issues, injustices, and challenges as only it can. Art as resistance is social proof that we think and understand and speak and create differently, and can still communicate and live toward justice and peace.

Take a look around this week and pay attention to where art is resistance in your world. Pay attention to where creativity is resisting injustice and greed. Pay attention to the creators and builders, their resistance is vital. Be a creator or builder, or bring sandwiches and support those who create and build. We all have a role. There is profound hope in our capacity to imagine and create. As you find art in your world, may you find hope for all that is and can be.

HE CAN CRY. SHE CAN RUN THE WORLD

He can cry. She can run the world. — Eric Nine

I think a lot abut the messages I take in. The messages I see. The messages I hear. The messages I breathe. All of it makes a difference at an elemental level. Messages matter. The messages we consume matter. I don’t think I am alone in this. We all take a lot in. All Eastside Beltline traffic sees, hears, and breathes the important message of this mural. All children and parents. All runners and walkers and skateboarders and bikers. All residents and visitors. In brilliant color, Eric Nine reminds us all of our power to feel and lead, and we are changed. What we tell ourselves changes. What we tell others changes. The world changes.

Northern White

Northern White, David Landis

I noticed this amazing rhinoceros sculpture for the first time a few weeks ago. Honestly, I had run past it several times a week for months and never really seen it. I finally stopped and read the plaque describing the story of the Northern White rhinoceros. The Northern White is an endangered species, and this sculpture reminds us of life’s delicate balance.

Eternal Flame of Hope

Eternal Flame of Hope, Special Olympics Georgia

Eternal Flame of Hope celebrates 50 years of the Special Olympics Georgia. As their mission relates, “The mission of Special Olympics Georgia is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.” Representation matters. Inclusion matters. The presence of the Special Olympics Georgia on the Beltline, as symbolized by Eternal Flame, matters. The Beltline is a place where everyone of all abilities gathers.

Read Taking A Walk #1 here

Read Taking A Walk #2 here

Read Taking A Walk #3 here

Read Taking A Walk #4 here

A Note on my Atlanta Beltline Writing Project [This paragraph appeared at the bottom of every post in the original project.]

I am practicing paying attention. I am practicing noticing beauty. I am practicing getting in touch with my artist self. I am practicing connecting with the outdoors. I am practicing my inner Mary Oliver. I live in Atlanta, “the city in a forest.” I live on the Atlanta Beltline, an interurban trail that graces the city. The Beltline is part arboretum, part art gallery, part park. It connects shops and restaurants and homes with people of all descriptions. I walk on the Beltline 4 or 5 times a week. I have spent the last year appreciating all that it is. I have personally photographed the images I will share. I hope to write about it — its art, trees, landmarks, etc.— for the next few weeks as spring unfolds.

Thanks for taking a Beltline walk with me. Subscribe to the Wide-Awakeness Project to take more walks, look at art, smell magnolia, and move in community with others and our world.