An Open Frame Dialogue

We are officially halfway through the decade. It feels like so much has happened since 2020, yet nothing at the same time. Our relationship with time seems to have changed indefinitely, until it’s disrupted by another prolonged force. The social fabric of society feels very thin, with social contracts increasingly devolving. Binary thinking coupled with digital silos powered by elusive algorithms, continues to dominate. The seduction of convenience slowly eroding skill and mental stimulation. Cognitive & emotional challenges within the collective are undeniable, forming a sense of despair — despite all of the Western privilege our ancestors couldn’t have dared to imagine.

I unintentionally watched Conclave in theaters on the night of the U.S election, which turned out to be quite fitting — not because of the mirroring of an election process but because of its exploration of the role and utility of faith versus how it is displayed or represented. As I woke up the morning after the U.S election, seeing the results, the outpouring of discourse, and the myriad of emotions, I felt the warmth of the sun’s rays beaming down on me — 80 degrees at 9:30am in the first week of November in the Northeast…. It was very clear the shift we’ve been experiencing and sensing is here and real.

We are ushering in a new era. For a moment, the U.S election felt like a crossroads that would determine our direction, but it ultimately proved to be a fallacy. Cultural, relational, and economic shifts, combined with pivotal technological advancements amplified by pandemic aftermaths have created the perfect storm for this new era — undoubtedly making for history.

As Gen Z and Millennials we are used to living through historic events and it feels like we may only be at the beginning. This is clearly a significant point in time for humanity. Personal endeavors can benefit from being intentionally considered in the greater context of this history. Reading the room, and taking collective perspectives in account shouldn’t be targeted as nuisances but as responsibilities — an approach that has become radical in a time when expecting decency is viewed as controversial or even threatening.

Something I find interesting, however, is that while there is a trend of regression, there is another equally powerful counterforce of a trend that I believe also mirrors our collective reality: art. In recent years, art has also felt like a crossroads with the business model of social media and industry politics intersecting with late-stage capitalism and perceived dwindling attention spans. Yet, in the last couple of years, we’ve also witnessed remarkable testaments to great art across all mediums — art that’s defies the forces working against it, cuts through the noise and the mainstream, and makes history, restoring the reputable standing of the arts.

Our souls will always yearn for truth allowing for art to always have the opportunity to pierce. I believe the over-saturation of art has made people more mindful of their consumption, and we are also seeing a steady rise of diverse, refined craft and artists across all mediums. These last couple of years have demonstrated that, despite the many factors contributing to the illusion of the death of art, great art will always prevail and continue to touch our spirits. As long as enough people remain dedicated to the preserving the human spirit, art will never die.

This cultural pattern is one worth noting, investing in and paying attention to. Art shapes us so much more than we are conscious of and as a result it can serve as a form of liberation and self-actualization. It can help us endure whatever disruptions may come our way and ensure the possibility of creating a better reality.

Ultimately, I wonder what dance these two forces will form.

As paraphrased from Conclave, with uncertainty leaves mystery which leaves the opportunity for faith — an opportunity we must embrace. There’s an opening for better leadership, better ideas, and new systems. As history often repeats itself, the change will ultimately prevail, even if we have temporarily lost our way and succumbed to fear and anxiety. While there are new tools of modern warfare, the same can be said for acts of liberation. We must pour into what makes life worth living, while considering the wellbeing of our community. However, it is important to recognize that our community transcends our immediate neighbors and includes both the generations that came before us and those yet to come.