Beauty has no race and art is everywhere

By Liam McCarthy

But why are our houses named after famous Dutch artists? Why not after animals, or flowers, or leaders, or places? Art might have a bigger influence than we think. 

Community

As new and international students, and RISS being an international school, we are all part of the same story. We have all come here from different places, cultures, and families – because of some outside force. It could be your parents’ job. It could be for education considerations. It could be for political reasons. The fact is, why we are here is beyond our control.
Yet, we have established a strong sense of community and built powerful relationships. From what I said earlier, we should feel a bit alienated. But we don’t. Something has brought all of us together, regardless of whether we are aware of this or not. 

The Universal Language of Art

As an IB Visual Arts student, and this could potentially be my bias, I am convinced that art is another form of language and communication. Wouldn’t living on planet Earth be even greater than it is already if everyone spoke a universal language? Unfortunately, we humans are not very intelligent, but we have art and that comes close.
And this language that is art has sparked the flame in the beginning of our relationships with others. We come from totally different backgrounds, but we all have the capacity for creativity. We have the capacity to express ourselves prolifically through art.

Anything Creative

When I say ‘art’, I don’t mean the paintings and sculptures you pass by in a museum or gallery. I am referring to anything creative. The limit is only one’s imagination. All the friends that I have made were because of sharing a creative passion. And RISS is very adamant about allowing the creative minds of their students to bloom into fruition.
You could bond over music, films, fashion, photos, makeup, books, comics, the list goes on – and they are all art in their own unique way. There is something wonderfully serendipitous in sharing something you love with someone else.

Ubiquitous

Furthermore, this is a great way to expand on the global- mindedness of RISS students. Why not take advantage of going to an international school? The ubiquitous nature of art transcends time and space. We can learn from how all these different cultures choose to express themselves creatively and in turn have a greater understanding of the world around us.
On a larger scale, we can even see how this has affected, and is still affecting, the city of Rotterdam. In the modern age, Rotterdam is essentially a conglomerate of businesses and jobs. It’s a working person’s city. After all, the Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and one of the busiest in the world. Consequently, the city is populated by people coming from every corner of the globe. Looking around Rotterdam, I couldn’t help but notice the amazing architecture when I explored the city for the first time. From the bizarre Cube Houses to the stunning, massive arch of Markthal, the city itself is sprawling with ingenuity, like an art gallery. There is no specific theme or style; it relishes in its architectural diversity. 

Museum Park

Rotterdam as a city is one thing, but its art galleries are a whole new beast. We know that New York boasts a Museum Mile, Berlin a Museumsinsel, Vienna a Museum Quarter, and what about Rotterdam? Rotterdam proudly boasts a Museum Park. The city is home to some of the best museums in the Netherlands and exploring them has never been so easy.
A visit to the art museum is also another fantastic way of getting to know people, as well as your city. Art is a great way to ignite a discussion. Whether it be observational, emotional, or pure mockery, getting a reaction is all part of the creative endeavour.
Hence, the art museum could easily become a worthwhile communal experience, a stress reliever, a home away from home, and/or an instrument for creating meaningful connections. Of course, art just doesn’t end there. There are music festivals, comic and pop culture conventions, the movie cinema, and more.
It is safe to say that without art, we are truly lost. Thankfully, people, my classmates, my friends, my teachers, and I are trying our best to keep creativity alive.