One Piece to Change the World

“Ever since the year 2030, art is the replicas of pieces already created by mortal artists,” I write, “Ever since then it has been considered a waste by society. Now the year is 2068, and art is still considered to be idiotic.”

“But I intend to change that.” …………………………………………………………………………

I stare at the blank canvas. If I looked closely, I could see the faint traces of my previous failed attempts. But it is plain enough and ready for a new idea. I look at the next idea I wrote down. Realistic painting. I began setting up a bowl with 3 red apples on top of a green table cloth. I squeezed the necessary paints. I dipped my brush into the red paint and began to paint.

I watch as the colors blend and the brush jumps and swirls. With the last stroke finished, I stepped back to look at what I had created. It was a disaster. The apples are brown from too much paint mixing, the table cloth has shadows in weird places and the bowl looks rectangular. With a disappointed sigh, I picked up my pencil and crossed out realistic painting from my list. I stared at the other things I had crossed out. Sculpting, lyric composing, poetry writing. It all ended with the same disaster, whether it was a poem that didn’t make sense or a sculpture of a human that has a head too large. With a sigh I put down my pencil and sank down in my chair.

“How am I supposed to make something new and inspiring?” I thought, “How can I change the world’s perspective of art?”

With a sigh I turned around in my chair and began working on something new.

…………………………………………………………………………

It has been a few days, and I still have not created something without leaving me disappointed. I have spent many hours reading and listening to music.

With my last attempt, I visited the local art museum. The ticket only cost me two quarters and a nickel. As I stepped in, I noticed the lack of people. The lights emit a yellow glow making the art pieces look old and rustic. The walls have cracks and the paint appears to be peeling off. It seems no one has repaired this place since 2030. I slowly walk through the galleries, peering at the details in paintings, examining the sculptures and taking down notes.

What makes these pieces unique? How can I make my pieces attract people? What can make people believe art isn’t a waste? I write in my journal.

As I walked through the gallery of Vincent van Gogh, I stopped at one of the paintings. It was a landscape painting, but the lines and strokes make the whole painting have movement. The bluish- gray mountains in the background look like waves in rough seas. The trunks of the trees in the foreground are bent and out of shape.

The Olive Trees, I read, created in 1889.

“Not many people know this, but Van Gogh created 15 paintings of olive trees,” A voice says behind me, “He lived at a asylum so he could paint the nearby olive trees.”

I turn around to see an elderly woman behind. She wears a large poncho that has intricate designs and patterns. Her smile was wide, and she had a twinkle in her eyes.

“Hello,” I say, “Are you a guide at this museum?”

“Nope, just an art enthusiast. I have always loved art since I was a little girl. I loved to paint and write. You know I lived in the ages where new pieces are created every day, and no one is ridiculed for it.”

“What gives you inspiration? I have been wanting to create pieces that can change how the society views all forms of art, but I’m always left with a disaster,” I asked.

She smiles and says, “Well, you see the this Van Gogh painting, he spent days after days in an environment that may not be the best. But he immersed himself in it and left with 15 beautiful paintings.

“Art is also not just about your surroundings, usually it is about how people interpret the world around them. Their beliefs, emotions and even how they feel towards an something. Lastly, it shouldn’t be perfect and you should never put too much stress on getting every detail correct.”

She continued, “Oh and also, most importantly of all, is how are you going to share your piece. Because you can’t have a piece created without an idea of how you are going to share it.”

Then an idea suddenly popped into my head, what if I can do something based on the importance of art. Something on how art is being shut down from society and how we can change that. And like the woman said it doesn’t have to be perfect.

As I erased my list of ideas, I felt a warm feeling spread through my body. I set down the eraser and picked up a pencil. Ideas forming in my mind, I began to write. But this time not only will I have an idea for a piece written down, I also have how I can share this with everyone. These ideas are going to change the world.

Kiera Chung | St. Clement's School | Grade 7