Page 25 - Child Art Magazine Transformative Experiences

1999WCF

defend themselves) that should not be tolerated; On the other hand, if you are used to living within a
education should not be confused with indoctrination or context where you feel your fundamental rights are
standardization, and even the concept of ‘peace’ should observed, keep in mind that these circumstances have
not be made synonymous (as it may sometimes happen) never been inevitable, and that they may not go on
with mere ‘passivity’. forever. That it is only because others have struggled
to make them real that you are now able to enjoy them,
The challenges I face are to rise to the occasion when and that it is your right and your duty to do them justice
meeting the responsibilities entailed by adult life. To day-to-day.
keep following my career in academic teaching and
research and to know how to make the most of those You are lucky enough not to know the urges of need
competences, for me and for others. To carry on and have been given the power to choose, even if it is in
with artistic creation as a key part (and not as simple an extent according to your age. With respect to those
complement) of my personal and professional growth. children who have not been granted such conditions
(a privilege that should not be so, though in practice it
You should not give in to the pressure to be ‘normal’, nor certainly is), neither well-meant apologies nor a sentiment
pressure others to be so. Understand that actual reality is of pity will be of any use to them if not accompanied by
not all there is. That there is also the world of possibility, concrete actions. And although not everybody may be in
which is open (or should be demanded to be so) for you a position to take part in such actions directly, the power
to do something with it. That creativity is not a prerogative of each of us to express her or his convictions, to address
of art, but can be exercised in the most diverse occasions one’s government, to raise awareness, should not be
of everyday life. In this sense, you can be the ‘artist’ in underestimated. The resolution not to get involved is as
some way or another, even if you do not paint, dance, much a political stance as to do so. It is, in any case, a
play music, or perform any other of the activities which matter of responsibility, and it is up to you to decide what
are traditionally recognized as ‘art’. I believe, however, to do about it.
that art offers a specific kind of experience, one I strongly
encourage you to try either as creators or as spectators Winner of the ICAF’s first competition in Argentina,
(being both of these roles, in fact, less distinct from each Alejandro Goldzycher represented his country at the 1999
other than they seem to be at first). festival. He is an ICAF Youth Board Member. He is working
towards a PhD in Literature at the University of Buenos Aires.

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