Writing 3: Witnessing Each Other

From the reading, "Infernal Noise: the soundtrack to the insurrection" by Jennifer Whitney, we get to see a first person point of view into the Infernal Noise Brigade. A marching band of political protest, a march of disruption with music. On the day of the big march, they are faced quickly with police response. Teargas fills the air during their takeover of the city. What stood out to me from reading this piece was the response from people nearby. "Well they certainly lived up to their name. I don't know if these people have any kind of message other than making noise, but when they have 50,000 of their closest friends downtown with them - well that's a lot of noise." This quote was from a reporter, I believe it is a very insightful quote of the response of those around. A possible common response from people regarding protests, what is the message/ what is the point? Are marches like this just noise? They can't be just noise if the police show up immediately and begin teargassing. Thinking about it from the perspective of a bystander is extremely interesting because without context, maybe that is all they see happening. Making statements like this will be understood in different ways among different people. Seeing the response play out all comes back to individual beliefs. A statement misunderstood by the public, is it inevitable for this group?

Watching the film Krzysztof Wodiczko: Projections, Wodiczko receives mixed opinions about his sculpture piece made for the homeless to use. He was criticized, receiving a comment that the real solution is housing, not this creation on wheels. A handful of people in New York City who were living on these streets rejected the idea. Wodiczko goes on to respond that it's purpose is to be absurd, inconvenient, and to be rejected. The cart is an intervention, an absurdity that yes, there should be a housing solution for the homeless. This fact that his piece is not a housing solution brings attention to that fact. Thinking about the Infernal Noise Brigade, it is another example of the response from the public. How intention can be overlooked or misinterpreted by the public, but it is inevitable. These multiple responses are what push the statements further. Receiving that interview from someone who did not agree with Wodiczko's piece allowed him to further explain the intentions of doing so. Ultimately, the most important part about statements through art is the response given. The way everyone around interacts with the message is what will keep these pieces, these protests, alive.