kara walling blog 4

Topic of choice: The "I" and the "other"
12/1/09

Discussing the "i" and the "other" in class was something I found interesting, yet somewhat confusing at the same time. We talked about how on one side it turns into "thou", which translates to communion. Then on the other side it turns into "it", which translates to manipulation through explanation. In a sense this is the process that happens when humans have the (thought) between impulse and reaction. Art then is the symbolic action that communicates the power felt in the relation of the "i" and the "other". When the "other" transforms to the "it" its a math/science power-changing of the world. When the "other" turns into "thou" its an aesthetic expression-beauty and more of an emotional expression of power. All of these comparisons confused me, but it was Kips example that made the most sense to me. When he talked about one of his personal experiences dancing with these two girls and being part of this religious experience with them represents how art communicates beauty. This would be the expression of "thou". The girls dancing formed a rhythm that he thought about before his reaction to join them. I have had a similar experience, but I never looked at how it could be transformed into an art or a beauty. It was very interesting to separate yourself from the "i" and transform into the "other" in an act of art.