PHILOSOPHY
We, as humans, struggle with the other. As tribal beings we have a tendency to disengage from those we feel are too different, too far from what we are comfortable in recognizing as one of our own. When this unfamiliarity causes discomfort or fear, aggressive responses often arise.
The other is recognized everywhere. They are the strangers that we share our world with but are not considered part of any number of groups we may belong to including: family, state, country, religion, race, sex and especially, species. We may view the other with cautious optimism (perhaps they will understand me even if we did not grow up together) or we may view the other with fear and aggression (I will destroy them before they can destroy me). Perhaps the worst example of human response to the other is exploitation (they are weak and disenfranchised, so I can take advantage of them without retribution). The latter view is most disturbing because it leads to horrors and abuses that gentle and respectful beings would find abominable.
What if we were to decide that the other should be embraced instead of dominated, subverted, destroyed? What if our basest and most depraved actions were superceded by compassion and concern for the welfare of those who are not us? Could we evolve to that point?
If we can change our perspective, change the way we operate and treat others in our world, which other would we start with? It seems that those who are not our enemies would top the list. And in that subset, what of those who are not similar to us, those who do not look like our neighbors? What of those we don’t associate with as opposed to those we relate to? And let’s go a step beyond that to those who don’t belong to our species and are far less similar, far more vulnerable than our human neighbors. What would our world look like if we treated those others with compassion and reverence instead of neglect, apathy and violence? How much introspection or meaningful effort would that involve? What benefit would our species realize if we were to make changes that would allow us to evolve ethically and civilly? These questions seek to illuminate the consequences of ignoring or trivializing what is being asked.
BIO
Elana Goren is a printmaker, teacher, illustrator and graphic designer who has taught graphic design at SUNY New Paltz
and printmaking at numerous other schools. Elana holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts and
an MFA in Printmaking from SUNY New Paltz.
Elana's work has been seen in both domestic and international museums and galleries. She is on the
board of directors for the New York Society of Etchers and her work is represented in public and private collections including the permanent collection of the The Animal Museum. She has received professional awards and her work has been published in various publications. Currently, Elana is a featured artist in Volume 1, Edition 4 of Carrier Pigeon Magazine.
We, as humans, struggle with the other. As tribal beings we have a tendency to disengage from those we feel are too different, too far from what we are comfortable in recognizing as one of our own. When this unfamiliarity causes discomfort or fear, aggressive responses often arise.
The other is recognized everywhere. They are the strangers that we share our world with but are not considered part of any number of groups we may belong to including: family, state, country, religion, race, sex and especially, species. We may view the other with cautious optimism (perhaps they will understand me even if we did not grow up together) or we may view the other with fear and aggression (I will destroy them before they can destroy me). Perhaps the worst example of human response to the other is exploitation (they are weak and disenfranchised, so I can take advantage of them without retribution). The latter view is most disturbing because it leads to horrors and abuses that gentle and respectful beings would find abominable.
What if we were to decide that the other should be embraced instead of dominated, subverted, destroyed? What if our basest and most depraved actions were superceded by compassion and concern for the welfare of those who are not us? Could we evolve to that point?
If we can change our perspective, change the way we operate and treat others in our world, which other would we start with? It seems that those who are not our enemies would top the list. And in that subset, what of those who are not similar to us, those who do not look like our neighbors? What of those we don’t associate with as opposed to those we relate to? And let’s go a step beyond that to those who don’t belong to our species and are far less similar, far more vulnerable than our human neighbors. What would our world look like if we treated those others with compassion and reverence instead of neglect, apathy and violence? How much introspection or meaningful effort would that involve? What benefit would our species realize if we were to make changes that would allow us to evolve ethically and civilly? These questions seek to illuminate the consequences of ignoring or trivializing what is being asked.
BIO
Elana Goren is a printmaker, teacher, illustrator and graphic designer who has taught graphic design at SUNY New Paltz
and printmaking at numerous other schools. Elana holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts and
an MFA in Printmaking from SUNY New Paltz.
Elana's work has been seen in both domestic and international museums and galleries. She is on the
board of directors for the New York Society of Etchers and her work is represented in public and private collections including the permanent collection of the The Animal Museum. She has received professional awards and her work has been published in various publications. Currently, Elana is a featured artist in Volume 1, Edition 4 of Carrier Pigeon Magazine.