While on an ‘alternative walking tour’ of Berlin recently I was shown two pieces of street art that I found thought provoking. The first was a life size stencil in black spray paint of a model. The artist is apparently critiquing consumerism. The second was a paste up of a fist, which was apparently in keeping with the subversive nature of street art and the counter-culture that is prominent in Berlin.
In both cases I was really struck by how lame they were. In what sense is a stencil of a model a critique of consumerism, and how does pasting the image of a fist on a wall make you a subversive? Neither of these pieces seems to contain much effort on the part of the artist. They’re quick, simple and superficial; in a word, pretentious.
But they’re also really damn ‘cool’ (apparently), and that got me thinking. What is more important to people – having substance, or being cool? I think the latter, at least on the value of what I see when I look around campus. Tight black jeans, immaculate facial hair, faux op-shop designer t-shirts, triple J blaring, political discussions that resemble question time far more than a reasoned debate, all these things are quite readily apparent, while interesting people, that is, people with unique, well-articulated personalities, are few and far between.
I’m not opposed to looking good or to design. Design is what makes the world look interesting. I think it’s great that the Berlin council commissions famous artists to decorate the sides of buildings to give the city more character (take note Canberra city planners!). I think it’s equally fabulous that people express themselves through their appearance in diverse ways so that the urban environment looks like an artist’s palette rather than a concrete jungle. What concerns me is that too many people are defining their identities in superficial ways rather than doing the hard work to actually discover who they are.
An identity is defined first by what you think, and only then by what you wear. I would like to encourage everyone to spend a bit more time and effort really coming to terms with what it is that they think. If you’re a liberal party supporter, for example, ask yourself why? Do you think free market capitalism is a good ideology for structuring society? What about its shortcomings? Do we need bank regulation? Are Bourgeois cultural norms suitable for everyone? Why? Or if you’re an atheist – can you explain to me thoroughly why it is that you don’t think god exists? Can you provide an answer to Descartes’ proof of God (i.e. “something must have caused the universe because everything in it has a cause)? Are you aware of the existential ramifications of the non-existence of God? For example, what is the authority of morality if the universe is purely physical?
Obviously some of these questions are a little heavy, but I’m always surprised that there is often no reason why that bloke is wearing that Che Guevara shirt other than thinking it’s cool. I’m also regularly struck by how righteously students can go round foaming at the mouth about a particular political ideology without ever really understanding it or that of their opposition.
More importantly, I am concerned that people will always struggle with anxiety and doubt if they don’t define themselves a little more rigorously. You can never really be certain of yourself and who you are if you don’t do the hard yards to get familiar with the assumptions, debates, reasons and beliefs that underpin your identity. Group identities i.e. identities that involve following trends, are transitory and only provide a temporary feeling of security. You need to get to grips with who you are as an individual, rather than as an individual in a collective.
So many students at the ANU remind me of the social tennis player who wears all the gear, headband included, carries a massive bag with six top-line racquets and always plays with new balls, yet can barely hit them over the net. This character looks like a tennis player, but actually isn’t. I ask you, would you rather look like a person with a well-defined identity, or be one? If it’s the latter, then maybe a few less trips to the café or John XXIII college pride events, and a bit more time buried in the books or quiet contemplation, wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Now obviously inspiration is important, and I encourage people to keep an open mind and experiment with different things. Getting a haircut or throwing on some Hendrix when all you usually listen to is Hamish and Andy can be revelatory. But please remember that how you dress, what music you listen to, what group you belong to and which bars and cafes you like to hang out in are (or ought to be) the symptoms of your identity – its outward signs – not your identity itself!
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