Thursday a.m. Idea Post 1/22

“The human condition clearly is a function of what one knows about the nature and course of the life-form on the planet and what he can do about the particular situation of interest” (http://condition.org/humcon.htm). As humans we strive to find answers for everything and will not let ourselves succumb to the unknown. We crave knowledge. Because of our need to fulfill every loophole and opening about reality causes many to question ourselves as beings. At the same time we question our existence, purpose and the ultimate meaning of our lives.
Logician, mathematician and philosopher Kurt Godel created proofs and theories and one of his proofs accounts for the existence of the human condition. Because of the research and study he has done with the human condition we are aware that ourselves as beings are going to be faced with ignorance and problems on a daily basis. The ways we handle ourselves through those trying moments depicts how we react and cope with events that make us human.
There have been several artists who have used the human condition as the central idea for their works. A literary artist, Hannah Arendt, published “The Human Condition” in 1958. As a philosopher Arendt’s approach to the subject was on a more literal descriptive way. She pinpoints out at the beginning that the purpose of the book is to help one attain the immortal through action. She lays out three actions that human carry out on a daily basis; our mindless human routine. The three activities are labor, work and action. These activities become representations of repetitive never-ending routines that are necessary to sustain life. For example, obtaining food, water, shelter and reproduction are key activities in the human condition.
William Hawk, an associate professor of art at University of Missouri-Columbia and a visual artist, is currently incorporating themes of the human condition into his paintings. Jason Rogers, writer for the Alestle newspaper, wrote an article on Hawk explaining how Hawk’s paintings “study the social culture and seek the meaning of human nature…”(Rogers 1). Hawk uses certain colors and painting techniques to evoke certain energy from the viewer. For example he “uses varying colors that vibrate the viewer’s consciousness. Cool colors contrasting with suddenly illuminated areas create and energetic blend that grasps the casual viewer’s attention” (Rogers 1).
The purpose of Hawk’s work is to compare and contrast the perceptions of the human world with the natural world. I found that our works were similar in that the aesthetic aspects were not stressed as much as making art with a sole purpose of aiding and prompting the viewer to find “some solutions for meaningful living…” (Rogers 2-3). This semester I plan to further this exploration of the human condition in my work and single down a part of the condition. At this point I am focusing on the question what is the meaning of my existence? And incorporating the many answers into what comes next.

Rogers, Jason. “Exhibit Displays Human Condition.” The Alestle Jan. 2009: 4. http://www.siue.edu/ALESTLE/library/SPRING2001/feb27/exhibit.html <> <>

An Essay on the Human Condition
Godel's Proof and The Human Condition