Oscar Wilde is credited with saying "life imitates art far more than art imitates life." This has been interpreted as being "about how art affects the way we look at the world around us." The world around us is complex from various perspectives. We are all amalgams of experiences, inputs, interests, and more. Does art influence the manner in which we view our own worlds?
In some manner, I would suggest that it may not be. I am familiar with a town that recently invested significant money in placing multiple unattractive sculptures in its locale. One proponent initially opined that people would visit to experience this "art." Initially, I heard the sculptures and the town's naivete discussed by a number of observers. Though it is possible that someone finds beauty or perspective in the art, I have never heard from that someone. It has been forever since I have heard them mentioned at all. These sculptures are seemingly not positively influencing anyone. Art perhaps affects us and our perspective as Mr. Wilde proposed, but as likely art may be ignored as well.
This line of analysis occurred to me when I read a recent article on the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) news website: Meet the artist who designed a hotel room that’s difficult to stay in. The headline is catchy if only because of the conflict suggested. Why would anyone design something to be difficult. Or, perhaps, why would anyone want to?
Christopher Samuel uses a wheelchair. He is "one of 19 artists who have kitted out a room" in a Blackpool bed and breakfast. Ironically, the designing artist has never seen his creation. The bed and breakfast in which it has been constructed is not accessible to the disabled. This irony is not lost on the artist, who says "I think it's brilliant." This project is an attempt, in a broad context, to use "the arts to try to improve life." The sponsor hopes that tourism will "make (the) art pay for itself." While that may be a potential in some of the other "art" rooms described. It is doubtful that many will tolerate the obstacles built into Mr. Samuel's art.
Mr. Samuel has designed his room "to be as annoying as possible" while "remaining just about habitable." He has designed the bed to be "difficult to get onto," the room has limited open space, and there are various specific annoyances. The article's author finds himself chuckling "at the fiendishness of Samuel's adaptations." The author finds humor in the fact that this room is inaccessible, unfriendly, and annoying. Some might argue that in itself is art.
The point, however, is not humor. The point Mr. Samuel strives for is to give others "a taste of the access problems faced by many disabled people." Through exaggeration (perhaps), this art is to point us toward the perspective of another. Mr. Samuel has a perspective on life and accessibility that is an amalgam of experiences, inputs, interests, and more. All of our perspectives are such. His art is an effort for us to better appreciate another perspective, one to which we personally perhaps do not innately gravitate.
Mr. Samuel admits that he anticipated amused responses. His comments suggest an intent for that amusement to draw the viewer in. Through humor and exaggeration, this artist captures our attention long enough for us to consider the gravity of the underlying statement. He is communicating that what may be an unimaginable inconvenience is what some people deal with on a daily basis. We fellow travelers perceive identical surroundings but through the filter of our own experiences. With these exaggerations, we are treated to an appreciation of how everyday surroundings are perceived by others.
Mr. Samuel complains that he lived for months in a hotel room that was inconvenient and inaccessible. He asserts that circumstance was created by "two local councils, who were arguing over my care costs and access needs." He blames the result of his living arrangements on the government. That is an interesting point that the article does little to further explain. The government in Britain is apparently responsible for providing housing for its citizens, and in this instance did not provide housing to this particular citizen's liking.
Mr. Samuel suggests that there needs to be a conversation, reflection, and consideration of the perils that the disabled face daily. He notes that tasks many of us would take for granted result in significant impacts to those whose abilities are unique or at least different. He notes examples such as door operation, light switches, and using tables whose construction includes wheelchair barriers or obstacles. It is not that these tables are intended to obstruct a wheelchair, but that the design is not conscious or accommodating of the impact upon a wheelchair. Mr. Samuel describes some of these specifics as "little things," but describes a more significant cumulative effect of the "little things."
Another source quoted by the BBC contends that the illustrations of this art is a microcosm of a wider societal complaint. There are broad allegations that society is letting those with disabilities down. Specific allegations center on the "disabled and the elderly." The article focuses upon both Mr. Samuels' art-inspiring extended hotel stay and what he considered distasteful suggestions of his personal alternatives, presented by the provided accommodations, which included "a care home" and "an incontinence pad."
The overall tenor of the article, and the art display, may indeed bring retrospection to some broader population. It is possible that such an experience is the only path for one to fully appreciate the challenges of wheelchair confinement. I wondered, however, whether those with less severe impairment face significantly similar daily obstacles and challenges. In the world of workers' compensation, I perceive many who utilize canes, crutches, braces, knee-walkers, scooters, and more. For some, those devices will be a temporary necessity. And for others, such assistance may become a way of life. Might each similarly offer challenges that are just not apparent to the casual observer?
Are there things in our ordinary experience that are vexing to the mobility or comfort of those who require canes or other assistive devices? Are there arrangements or items in our commonplace living that would be an obstacle to those with mobility challenges? Are we perceptive of that potential and appreciative of how we might facilitate those around us? It is a sobering exercise to reflect upon others and their perspective on the world. Perhaps this artist's frustrating hotel room helps with that. Or, perhaps it will be as ignored as the unattractive sculptures installed by the naive town mentioned above?
Art may influence life. Perhaps we can be drawn to perspectives we do not necessarily have to live. Maybe we can individually give some reflective consideration to our surroundings and wonder how a person with mobility challenges might perceive them.
