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Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (Post-Trip Post)

Here I am, back at one of my favorite Columbus coffee shops. I went to work and went to classes today. Sometimes it feels like last week was a wormhole, a pocket of time folded in on itself. I came back and it felt like I never left. And yet–I think back on the trip itself, and it seems like it lasted for an eternity.

Have I changed? Well, I think every experience changes us in some way, so certainly it has. Maybe in small ways. I’m drinking way more tea than I even was before, and I am a tea person. I’ve already been going to more cafes and just sitting and working, probably because I miss the comforting mass of strangers that was always surrounding me in London.

Maybe the biggest change I’ve noticed in myself post-trip is how re-inspired I feel to make art. Maybe it was simply the break in schoolwork that gave me time to become reinvigorated, but I don’t think that was it. I think it was the way art was truly integrated into every aspect of society there.

This Tichard Serra sculpture in the heart of the business district invites its audience inside the art.

This Richard Serra sculpture in the heart of the business district invites its audience inside the art.

Here at the cafe, I bumped into a friend, and we just finished talking about how it feels almost impossible for us as Americans to wrap our minds around buildings that are 600 years old or ruins from Roman structures just chilling outside our office window. I know I’ve already touched on this subject, but thinking more about it, I think this complete cocoon of history that enshrines the British may be a major contributor to why they value art more than Americans.

Oh look, this beautiful piano was hanging out in the street in the theatre district.

Oh look, this beautiful piano was hanging out in the street in the theatre district.

Think about it, British culture goes back to ancient times (we all saw Stonehenge), so they have this rich history, and art is an intrinsic part of that history. American culture, compared to the rest of the world, is barely in its adolescence. Maybe when we get a few hundred more years under our belts, we too will have a greater appreciation for the art that we make. It’d be nice if it happened a little sooner than that, of course.

Maybe that’s where I come in. As an artist myself and as a person with an interest in teaching art, maybe I can help make a difference in the way Americans value art so that we can find installations in our churches and poetry in our museums someday soon, too.

Maybe it was about time for us to come home. I'm not sure how much more of London could take. ;)

Maybe it was about time for us to come home. I’m not sure how much more of us London could take. 😉

Looking Back…

I had been looking forward to this trip for such a long time. I would come out of class everyday more and more excited. When the time finally came it didn’t even seem real. Even though we left at 3:30 in the morning I was wide awake. By the time we finally arrived I couldn’t wait to get out and explore. Seeing everything we had been studying in real life was incredible. All of the buildings were so much bigger than I expected! Especially the Walkie Talkie. Never before had I bothered to learn about a place prior to visiting. It made a world of difference. I got so much more out of the experience. This was also the first time I had ever really sketched. I was skeptical of myself at the beginning, but I actually do think I got better as the week progressed. I learned so much over the course of the week. Not just about architecture, but about history, culture, and traveling in general. I also had the opportunity to spend time with some amazing people. This was probably my favorite aspect of the entire trip. Overall, this was one of the best weeks of my college experience thus far.

A textual and imitative reproduction.

“Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
― Samuel Johnson, The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Vol 3

London proved to me that I cannot always expect to understand places that I have not been before. From history classes in high school to theory and history classes in college I thought I was able to paint a pretty actuate portrait of what I thought London to be. I have even traveled to London as a child, and many cities around the world reassuring me that I could confidently imagine what the city would look and feel like once I inhabited it.

I could not have been more wrong.

From my very first day in London I could tell immediately that the city felt so much larger and taller than I had expected. My memories of London in the early 2000 were of a lower city, that felt more exposed to the light when walking through the streets full of cobblestone and old renaissance inspired buildings. This was the exact opposite of what was really there. The new buildings made the skyline of the city reach high into the clouds with the Chard, and stretch wide into the distance with canary warf. The old architecture was tucked into alley’s and corners, showing a glimpse of what use to be. The city was modern and sprinkled with cranes showing it wasn’t slowing down anytime soon. This was all unexpected to me even though I knew of all these buildings, but still couldn’t imagine them in site.

London also allowed me to push myself out of my comfort zone by meeting and befriending people who I wouldn’t normally be close with. I found myself with a group of friends that made the experience of studying abroad and being in London much more of a beautiful experience. I had expected to make loose friendships with people because I had to, but I met truly great people who enhance many different parts of the trip I never expected. Kendra was able to show me art in completely new ways, looking modern works through a new lens. Adrianne who is highly involved in greek life here at OSU made me realize many things about back home, and allowed me to feel like I was part of the group which was an incredible moment for me. Kayla and Megan both pushed me to look at architecture in new ways that I hadn’t imagined I would, as well as Trace, Taylor, Cori, and Rachel. They all allowed me to be a part of their experiences, CeCe and Sandy with plays and movies, all the way to city planning and gentrification ideas. All of the people on this trip that I didn’t even mention all made me view London in a new and exciting way that I ever would have by going alone. And for that I am very grateful, London surprised me in the kindest ways and I’m left with the fondest memories.