“Art is one of the last good things we have left in the world that humans do… Art is the antithesis of everything which is bad that’s created by humans … Being an artist right now is so important.”
This quote, from English artist Tracey Emin (@traceyeminstudio), is used by journalist Virginia Trioli (@latrioli) in her recent article “Art offers us strength when the world feels unsteady” via ABC News (@abcnews_au).
I find the concept of “yield strength” vs “ductility” thought-provoking. It reminds me of a book I saw a long time ago, the memoir Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds (2012) by Chinese American entrepreneur Fu Ping (“Fu” being the surname). At that time there was some debate online about the concept behind the book title. i.e. Would we rather surrender to the relentless pressure posed upon us (“bend, not break”), or should we resist even if/when it means irrevocable sacrifices (“break, not bend”)? While such debate more or less came from those attacking the book and its author at the time, the question itself remains interesting. Perhaps, as Trioli points out, we should focus on BOTH strength and resilience.
Image thanks to: Cover of 1st edition of Fu’s memoir Bend, Not Break, Wikipedia.
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 