Harrell Fletcher

Art & Social Change. I believe any thing that allows humans to create is not only beneficial, but the impact it leaves on those who are involved is only positive. Music, visual art, film; all of these can have effects on cultures, societies, and individuals. The best part about Art is that it can be done anywhere, anytime, for anything. It has been going on for generations and centuries; I think it will be just as important in twenty years as it was yesterday. Sometimes, images mean more than words; the first original forms of communication were done by cavemen & drawings. To think that we aren't influenced by art in our society is naive.

Through reviewing and reading over Harrell Fletcher's projects, the one that caught my attention was Corentine's Turtle. Not only did he involve the community, he involved a young boy and his creativity, as well as nature. I was touched that he did an outreach project in a local community's park instead a traditional setting. I enjoyed even more that he used Corentine's simple and complex idea of the turtle sculpture and allowing Corentine to have a significant part in the project. Fletcher has not only shown the community the idea of one person and how they interpret nature, but he allowed Corentine to have a sense of creativity which he will undoubtedly spread to those around him and influence.

I think if I had the opportunity to start a community I would do something to promote the idea of either doing good for other people or something in nature and taking care of our communities (people and animals.) If I could engage the community I would try to think of a project that would inspire others to contribute and continually contribute; like the commercial where one person does something good for someone, then that person does the same, and so on, til it comes full circle and everyone is intentionally helping a stranger out of good will. Another idea I would try to do would be to take a park or development and make it a place to enjoy nature, the company of others, as well as a place for one to take their animals. Even if it were adding murals to buildings at local parks or decorating the tables, sides walks, railings. I think it would have some kind of effect (hopefully good,) on those who participate or attend.