A new art project appeared on the walls of the underpass by my metro stop this year. Often these spaces get filled up with random graffiti, so I was surprised that an intentional project was underway.
Apparently there are a few exhibits like this around Prague, with the goal of showcasing art outside of galleries and connecting society when it may seem like we all live in isolation. This exhibit focuses on gender inclusivity and asks such questions as
- How does your gender impact your life and work?
- What would you wish for men? For women?
- How free do you feel to express your emotions?
These questions were posted online and people could anonymously answer, and then these questions and an assortment of answers were painted on the walls.
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| Do you think that public spaces are inclusive enough? |
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| In what way do you wish that the opposite gender would relate to you differently? |
These can be somewhat controversial topics; immediately after this exhibit went up, signs were put up which invited people to sign a petition to have it taken down. I'm not sure what the reasoning was, but I am curious. Besides just being able to hear (see) what responses people have to these questions, one of the elements that resonated with me was an invitation to listening and curiosity. In this public space is a statement that these type of social topics can polarize us and that good communication is the key to overcoming divisions, offering these steps:
- Carefully listen: misunderstanding arises when we don't try to understand another's point of view. Ask for clarification why the other thinks the way they do.
- Try to understand: use empathy and try to understand the emotions and perspective of the other person.
- Find emotional regulation: strong emotions negatively impact our communication. Communicate that you need to take a step away and breathe to calm yourself if you notice strong emotions arising in yourself.
I found myself saying, "yes, yes, yes!" to what was being presented by this exhibit. It's more than the topic itself, though I think it is important. More so, I love that they're trying to communicate the diversity we bring - to show us that our opinion and perspective may be represented even when we don't see it around us - and to invite us to healthy discussion. In the midst of enormous polarization in the US right now, I found myself longing for more of these principles to be practiced. To become aware that another may have significant reasons for their perspective. Listening attentively does not mean agreement. It doesn't mean we need to try to convince the other to come to our side. But listening and asking clarifying questions communicates respect and acknowledges that there is often so much below the surface that we don't see or understand.
One other piece that breaks my heart is the amount of statements that carry a lot of weight with them.
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| Most of the time I'm not at ease, but I would like to be. |
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| I like Prague very much, but somehow I have the feeling that we're all strangers here. |
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| I don't know what tomorrow will be like, but maybe it will be better. |
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| In the majority of life situations I'm a very submissive person and it can be exhausting and humiliating. |
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| Often I feel empty inside, but I'm trying to work on it so that I don't unnecessarily suffer with it. I forget about everything and when I walk after work, I always look everywhere for small white squares of poetry (these are little stickers around Prague that apparently are meaningful for this man). |
It's obvious that people look for something more and desire something more out of life and community. My heart goes out to all those who suffer, who want more from life, who feel lost and broken. These reminders which I pass every day heighten my prayers for the God of love and compassion, who cares for the brokenhearted, to be revealed and known. I long for them to find fulfillment in the only One who can truly satisfy.
