To See or Not to See – That is the Question
With apologies to Shakespeare
We don’t always see what is before us. An example:
There was someone in my past I referred to as “my friend who is not a friend.” We had known each other for more than ten years, so she was not an acquaintance. I was a friend to her, but I knew to my core that she was not one of mine. Referring to her as “my friend who is not a friend” fit just right.
We could not have been more different. She would find ways to laugh at people – some she knew, some were total strangers. Her belittling comments would never be said directly to her target – they only were shared with others like an inside joke.
One day, the two of us were sitting outside Starbucks, enjoying our coffee and chatting, when I heard her laugh and say, “Look at that!” I looked and saw an older couple walking hand in hand, and my heart melted. But no, what my non-friend saw was cellulite – a woman wearing shorts exposed a thigh dimple or two, and her eyes became laser-focused on them. I never saw her.
We lived in two entirely different worlds. Those worlds supported our respective worldviews. It’s easy to see it here since our views were so very different, but often they are more nuanced. Anaïs Nin is quoted as saying,
“We do not see things as they are; we see them as we are.”
What we see and what we perceive may not always be the same.
To Reflect Everything
Art pops up all around NYC throughout each year. It’s always a surprise, and I love it when it challenges me to think.
I had read about the installation of a piece called To Reflect Everything in Washington Square Park. It was described as a disco ball, and that is one element. What whimsy to see a disco ball in the middle of winter, sparkling with light to dispel the grey!
It’s also patterned after a 1986 satellite. It was a bit disorienting to see something sitting on the ground that looked like it should be circling the earth.
Multiple panels at the top reflect the tree tops and sky, while multiple panels at the bottom reflect the park's walking paths. At the center are views of grass, benches, people, buildings across the street – looking like multiple vignettes of life. Piecing together the fragments creates the whole, but from a new and unique perspective.
The website of the artist, Ryan Van Der Hout, states,
“… the alluring surface invites viewers to delve into the realms of self-reflection and transformation, and to reconsider the urban environment of Washington Square Park through distorted and fractured reflections.”
It goes on to say,
“More than just a visual spectacle, To Reflect Everything is a dialogue between the present moment and what lies ahead. Perpetually suspended between departure and arrival, the sculpture evokes the tension between the familiar and the unknown, offering viewers a chance to contemplate not only what is visible but also what might be waiting to emerge.”
Ultimately,
“… transforming public space into a site where multiple realities can coexist.”
Art is Personal
There is the intent of the artist and, along with it, the interpretation of those who see it. Both are valid. Both are important.
I first saw To Reflect Everything walking through the park with a friend on a cold, blustery day. We looked, saw it as a disco ball bringing a sense of playfulness to a very grey day, and quickly walked on to stay warm.
The second time, I lingered for a while. And now I’ve been experiencing it again through the artist’s website and the photos I took. Each time, I see more.
The otherworldliness of it came in my second viewing. The surprise of that made me question my perception of reality a bit. What else might be out of place here?
The view of the park reflected in each panel across the middle came while looking at my photos. Each of those mirrors reflected a specific view of the surrounding area – a curated tour of the environment. It forced me to see details that might have been hidden, whereas the norm would be to see the totality.
The shift of perception that this seemingly simple piece of art brings stays with me. In a negative way, we talk of smoke and mirrors that people use to entice us away from seeing the truth. In a positive way, we have the power to adjust our innate mirror away from the smoke to focus on the reflection of what is good in the world.
A Meta-Reflection
Reflecting on reflections brings me to the personal act of reflecting. A technique used in training is to present a concept, explain it, experience it, and then reflect on it. We learn when we reflect. It also allows each person to internalize their experience and determine how they can apply what they learned going forward.
A participant in one of my sessions said that the experience of reflecting was new and profound for him, and he’d like to do more of that. In his busy day of doing and doing and doing, he had never stopped to reflect and learn from that doing. He then resorted to humor and presented a scenario of his manager aghast at finding him at this desk with his eyes closed, reflecting. I hope he continued the practice.
Since self-reflection is such an important part of my life, I cannot help but apply that to this work of art. It is the middle panel that draws me in. I find it brings a feeling similar to playing the keyboard of my memories in my post last week. We choose where to put our attention. We can look at the curation of images being reflected and, if they do not resonate, we can look elsewhere.
What I see when I look away is the resilience of spring making its presence known. Bulbs are breaking through to the light of day. Tree buds are getting larger, ready to bloom in the weeks ahead. This yearly symphony of rebirth is warming up – literally and figuratively. It is in a state of becoming – and it is beautiful.
I cannot and will not diminish the angst raging around me. I get caught up in it, but I choose not to stay and be overwhelmed. I surround myself with people who reflect a worldview I find affirming. This community is heartening – it fills my heart.
I soothe my soul with things within my sphere of control – the music I listen to, the sound of birds arriving back to build their nests, the rebirth of that which has been dormant over the winter. As I once wrote, my world is filled with unicorns and rainbows, and today is no different.
I fully believe that life trends to the positive over time. It’s getting there that can be difficult. While we do what we can to advocate for what we believe to be right, we can also take a moment to focus on what feeds our soul. I strongly believe that our heart-centered actions create ripple effects that ultimately have the power to change the world.
A Question
What is the smallest step you can take, right here, right now, to bring the healing warmth of a positive reflection into your heart whenever you need it? I’d welcome hearing your responses.
Read more about To Reflect Everything on Ryan Van Der Hout’s website here and the Washington Square Park website here.
What a beautiful piece Cathy. The layers of wisdom, art, information and reflection is like a layered cake. I enjoyed it very much! Thank you for sharing 🩷
"Life trends toward the positive over time..." What a beautiful reflection in its own right, and one that I will put in my pocket for the days when the acuity of the negative feels overwhelming. Thank you for this light today.