A Reflection of October

Thursday, October 1st, 2009.

The cry of your alarm clock somehow manages to penetrate the walls of your sleepy haze. You raise an arm against the void and find what you are looking for. It is 7:00AM. You open the windows and inhale the birth of a new day. A new month rather, but what is it that marks the difference between these chapters of a book we read and dispose of once we have drained it of its use? With each new year we open the first chapter of a new book – the first month of a new year. Turn the page to the tenth chapter and feel your heart swell as it inhales the sweet breath of October. Why not go out and embrace the new day? It is the beginning of October and you wonder what this month will bring. Halloween is at the end of the road, but what lies in between is what really contributes to the full account of the story. Halloween may or may not be a significant part of your culture, but what is? A number of cultural events contributed to the account of this past year’s October. Culture- such a broad term used so easily; and just how did this month celebrate the importance of culture in our society?

Culture n. 1- a developed understanding of literature, art, music, etc.; the art, customs, etc. of a particular country or society. – Consider this definition found in the Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus & Wordpower Guide and notice there is quite a difference between a mere custom and a developed understanding of the arts in a society.

Let’s focus on the Salvador Dali’s exhibition. The grand opening of the exhibition took place on October 19th and the exhibit was scheduled to last until the 19th of December. Considered to be one of the most brilliant artists, Skopje had the privilege of displaying a large number of Dali’s pieces at the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Namely, Dali, the world renowned artist of the 20th century artist was born in Spain and excelled in the fields of painting, drawing, photography, and even writing. However, fame didn’t trail his name from the beginning, as with all great artists, Dali’s roots lie beneath his pile of high-prized work.

Nevertheless, Skopje’s public went head over heels after the exhibition. This coincides with general people’s mentality; having a name certainly fills up the museum with visitors at the opening ceremonies in Skopje. Even so, how many people attend such cultural gatherings because of the art itself? Has the artist become like a brand of clothes? The purpose of culture is to embody what lies within, not without. Answer honestly; have you branded what lies within you? The impact brands have created resembles the impact of well-known cultural institutions. Thus, the majority of people do in fact attend such events solely for the purpose of becoming part of the common culture, of succumbing to the cultural institution. Unfortunately, the brand guides the crowd, so naturally everything widely acclaimed as pertaining to culture, has become a must-see in our society.

Moreover, the ZZ Top concert was also a frequent name found in the headlines of many newspaper and magazine articles during the month of October. At the concert, I witnessed a half empty stadium, and clusters of “quasi” fans who were obviously more concerned about looking like they belonged there as opposed to being there for the music itself. Accordingly, people should go out, celebrate, embrace life; but running through that list of brands does not suffice. Looking at the bright side, people are certainly willing to go out and explore long-awaited events scheduled each month. After all, we must all explore in order to learn. Still, had such a hype not been aroused by the media, people wouldn’t be so eager to attend such events. The elite circles must attend the highly-prized events in order to draw light on their reputation, and the rest— they must buy the ticket to the events that are worthy enough for the elite and therefore worthy of a reputation. Yet this is the same thing as putting on a mask for Halloween and pretending to be something you’re not.

Let me draw your attention to another definition of culture:

2. artificial rearing of bacteria

This second definition of culture provided by the Oxford Dictionary Thesaurus and Wordpower Guide gives us a rather scientific approach which we can now implement into everyday society. These microorganisms grow in a “specially prepared nutrient medium.” Bacteria really have no choice, but that does not mean people should be stripped of choice as they are fed with these nutrients— these manifestations that they’ve been led to believe they must attend for the sake of attending. Both of these events acted as nutrients added to the plate for us to feed on.

Customs either get forgotten, or if still in practice have lost the full potential of their meaning. We can say not many know what lies behind the mask of a name, but at least these gatherings are on the agenda. At least people get exposed to such cultural events. October of 2009 certainly was fulfilled by a number of such events, yet this does not mean that we, the bacteria should be artificially reared. Isn’t it ironic how we all put on masks on October 31st for the sake of preserving the tradition of Halloween? We do not have or save the spirit of a tradition, holiday or cultural gathering by forcing it on the public as a means of fitting with the elite or gaining a certain image provided by the name of a brand. These kinds of events should take place for the sake of preserving the valuable, not the mask of a reputation. Unfortunately we have defined the valuable as something worthy of as much exploitation as possible when in reality; famous pieces can only be of any value once they have stirred a reaction from within those who perceive those pieces.

Mark the end of the 10th chapter with the preservation of customs and feel the cool October breeze sigh against your skin. Fall does not fail to enrich the soul. The last breath of October fills your lungs as the smile of your one-night Halloween mask crumbles away. The sweet breeze tinkles your skin as you turn the page to a new month with a smile — a smile that comes from within.