Reflections

Reflections Finding Humanity

Imagine: You approach what seems to be a tower of mirrors, floating above a reflecting pool. In the center, topping the tower, sits a globe. The globe has words in multiple languages all over it. All the languages say the words “I am.” You look into one of the mirrors to see yourself staring back. The mirror has a question on it, “who are you?” You move to another mirror; it has an anonymous quote “All we have is now.” As you walk around to each mirror, you see they all have a thought-provoking question or inspirational quote written on them. You look around and see benches surrounding the area, inviting you to sit for a moment and process all your thoughts.

These questions and quotes on the mirrors are meant to make you think. Everyone comes from something, but what? Where did you come from?

Who has gotten you to this point? Why are you here now? What do you want to do in life? What are you going to do about it? How will you continue to build a legacy? And while you may feel as if you done nothing yet, this is your chance to think about who came before you and how you will continue.

That’s why you deserve to be remembered, you are continuing the work of those who came before and building something greater for the future.

Who am I? Today, I present to you the idea of Reflection, both internally and externally. There are billions of people in the world, and almost all of us will go throughout our lives without recognition from the larger populous. That, in my mind, is a travesty.

Every one of us make a mark on this world, even if others are too busy to recognize it. Take a moment to appreciate yourself. This monument is meant to recognize every person who wouldn’t get recognized otherwise. Humanity deserves recognition for their growth, their innovations, their capacity to love, hate, and simply be. That’s the beauty of this idea.

It’s dedicated to those who are overlooked because what they’ve done may seem mundane to everyone but could be everything to someone else. Surviving in this chaotic world is something to be remembered for. for a moment and process all your thoughts.

Why Here? Why Now? There is a vital importance in the art of recognizing yourself and your accomplishments. In today’s society, we are constantly surrounded by crticism and negativity. To combat, we have to learn to love and appreciate ourselves. Reflection is the first step to growth, and growth is the first step on the journey to the future. How will you make your mark?

What Have I Done?

Reflection and remembrance tie in with the idea that we all came from someone before us. We are a living monument to them, and so we should all have somewhere we can go to appreciate their sacrifices as well as our own work in the present. Names that are known now are known due to the inspiration they bring to others. Inspire yourself to become something and reflect on those who came before. Don’t let yourself, or your history, go by unnoticed. YOU are the important person. You have the power to influence the world you are in. While it may seem you are small, you are mighty.

History forms as you stand. You are making an impact with every breath. How you choose to use your breath is what determines the future. Reflect and grow.

Location is Key...

Why does location matter? The earth beneath our feet holds thousand upon thousands of years of history; History which can help us to progress further in life, to appreciate where we’ve come from, and look ahead to where we can go. Location can inspire and motivate those who wish to make a change, which is why I propose Holton Plaza on the Geroge Mason University Fairfax Campus and Ellis Island in the Upper New York Bay.

Holton Plaza, George Mason Univeristy

Ellis Island, Upper New York Bay

Why Holton Plaza?

If this monument were to be placed somewhere at the Fairfax campus of George Mason University, I would place it in Holton Plaza. The surrounding areas make the impact all the greater. In the mirrors, you would see behind you the Center for the Arts, the Mason Pond, Eagle Bank Arena, College Hall, and the Johnson Center. All these places have a greater significance than what we can see. They represent the human condition, of what we have created and what we can create.

We come from the natural world; the pond and the forest, and we gain knowledge which we use to create and innovate.

Why Ellis Island?

If this monument was to be placed anywhere in the world, I would put it on Ellis Island in the grassy knoll surrounded by the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. Ellis Island is a symbol of great change and challenge. It is where immigrants would start their journey here in America and is a monument in and of itself. Over 12 million Immigrants came through the processing center on the island between the years 1892 to 1954. They have museums there to explore and adding Reflection there would encourage you to go all the way back to your roots and hopefully inspire you to do something more. And to top it off, right across the way is the Statue of Liberty, standing in all her glory, sharing the idea of freedom with all those who lay their eyes on her.

Questions and Quotes An in-depth look into what the mirrors will say...

Who am I? Where did I come from?

What are my Strengths?

What are my Weaknesses?

What is Life to me?

What legacy do I want to leave?

What does my future look like?

How will I make a difference?

If not now, when?

If not here, where?

Am I living true to myself?

Does it really matter what others think about me?

“All we have is now.”

“The meaning of life is that it is to be lived.”Bruce Lee “Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES.”William James “You are NOT your mistakes; they are what you did, not who you are.”

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

“You matter.”

Global Identities Close-ups of some the languages written on the Globe English: I Am

Spanish: Yo Soy French: Je Suis Arabic: ‫نوُكَأ اَنَأ‬ Bulgarian: Аз съм Chinese: 我是 Czech: Jsem Dutch: Ik Ben Estonian: Ma Olen Filipino: Ako Ay German: Ich Bin Greek: Είμαι Hawaiian: O Wau Hebrew: ‫ינא‬ Hindi: मैं ह

Hungarian: Én vagyok Icelandic: ég er Indonesian: Saya Adalah Irish: tá mé Italian: Sono Japanese: わたし Korean: 나는 Latin: Ego Sum Polish: ja jestem Portuguese: eu sou Romanian: eu sunt Russian: я Scottish Gaelic: Tha mise Slovak: Som Vietnamese: tôi là

Artist Identifier Rayna Ketch (She / Her / Hers) Theater BA,​George Mason University Music Minor, George Mason University FY-LGBTQ+ ​LC Resident Assistant Team Ridge Member rketch@gmu.edu