Welcome!

Hi guys! Welcome to World Medium where I will be exploring, learning, and sharing about my journey throughout this gap year. This is centered around my animating question for my Flight School fellowship, which is about understanding our own identities and the cultural diversity of our world through the lens of art history. I’m hoping that this blog will help people see more of the value of art history and its relevance to todays society, and help people understand how art can help one connect with their identity, culture, and emotions in a way unlike most traditional measures. Art is something that I view as an indivisible part of the human experience— it’s quite literally part of the definition of art (though there are many) that a work must be modified by a human. Art would not be art without humanity, and humanity would not be humanity without art. See Marcel Duchamp’s fountain for a fun and challenging example of what is art.

I recognize that this may sound a bit serious so far— I promise I am still an 18 year old girl who is just trying to figure out her life while on a gap year, and I’m sure this blog will reflect that. This blog will most likely hold both reflections/meditations/mini-essays about art, in addition to funny or meaningful anecdotes from my travel.

I’m currently traveling in Athens with three other girls from the Morehead-Cain program, and we’re already having a blast. Both for program reasons and personal motivations, we are viewing this travel time as a largely educational experience, and our activities are definitely reflecting that. Part of my gap year is learning how to stay loose, and understand how to do things for myself and my personal goals— not just for how I wish others to perceive my intelligence, or level of purpose, or just me in general.

One thing that I do know for certain is that art history brings me an innate sense of joy that I have not felt for many other subjects in my life (or any), and I am so excited to explore the subject in the most immersive and perspective-rich way: traveling.

We have an itinerary mapped out for much of the next 2 1/2 months, and I’ve already created a list of all the sites and art historical sites/important artworks that I would like to see. However, I’m trying to remember that 1) quality always over quantity, and 2) sometimes the most unexpected art is the most meaningful.

The most meaningful experience with art that I’ve had was probably visiting the Sorolla museum spontaneously by myself while studying abroad in Spain. I had never heard of Sorolla, and had just decided to go based on the recommendation of a complete stranger on the street. And it was amazing— I’ve never forgotten it, and I doubt I ever will. If I could pinpoint the blossom of true passion for art history to one moment, it would probably be then. I can’t wait to have many more experiences similar to then. (hopefully)

Also, I think it’s important to note that I am not going to be editing these posts too heavily, or even at all. I want this to be pretty flow of consciousness, and I don’t want to get wrapped into psycho-analyzing every word and what it will make people think of me, because I would definitely do that. Still recovering from the college app process. So enjoy!

More soon,

Emmaline