The Awakening is not only a novel written by Kate Chopin, but also a famous (well, I’m not sure how famous considering I just discovered it) sculpture created by J. Seward Johnson Jr. and was located right in Mason’s backyard, across the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge on the shores of the Potomac river has now been uprooted, sold, and displaced to developers planning to build a new “glamorous” and more than likely overpriced convention center further north in Prince George’s county, MD near their portion of the Potomac. According to an article written in The Washington Post, this is a popular spot for kids to play, couples to wed, and people to just enjoy the view.
Ironically, this allows me to remember Stanley Fish's,rant about Humanities only being for pleasure (although he then after came back to inform readers that he was referring to the study of "Humanisitc Text"), and how from the first time I read his blog, I never understood how exactly he can bash an entire discipline that has allowed for much change, and helps to keep people well rounded if only just for 'enjoyment.' Although, I’m not informed with all aspects of the humanities because I am majoring in a social science and science related field, I may be a little biased because I generally like the arts. Many people do not find pleasure in sculptures, music, or novels.
However, Fish's point is made very clear as they are actually relocating this beloved sculpture to another location, because clearly the worth of this sculpture was not based on those who enjoyed to view it, but rather it's dollar value to it's owner. All over the world many are selling off many precious pieces of artwork, which may prove that Humanities may not have any worth in our society, but the question I ask is, if the miniscule things in life aren't cherished then what exactly do we have to take our minds off the major things?
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Actually, I’ve always found the statue of “The Awakening” rather disconcerting. (For that matter, I thought the novel of the same name distressing as well.) The statue is not a Rip Van Winkle character stretching after a long nap in the sun—it’s a howling figure tearing himself from the being trapped in the earth. When the Potomac floods, Hains Point is under water and The Washington Post often shows pictures of the statue with just the head exposed as if it is screaming while trying to save itself from drowning. Even though I can’t say that I found “enjoyment” in “The Awakening,” as a work of art it did elicit an emotion and made me think. Art doesn’t always have to be pretty to succeed.
On telling point of Post article in the blog is that “The Awakening” has been for sale for its entire nearly thirty-year year history. Who had the responsibility to ensure that such a “beloved” statue did not go anywhere? Was it the U.S. Park Service (who owns Hains Point) for not coming up with the cash? Or why didn’t all of the people who apparently love the statue do anything to keep it where it is? If the humanities have a value in public spaces then they are worth fighting for to keep them there.
I understand your concern of the selling of art. But then again, who is buying the artwork? People who just want to resell it? Or wealthy people who want to have it for themselves to enjoy or to flaunt their success?
I also believe artwork can be a major factor in people's lives, depending on their appreciation, so I think the answer to your last question of "what will take our minds off the major things" could be very diverse.
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