Fate or Chance?

The Three Witches

 

Fate or chance? Honestly, I believe in fate. I always have. However, I do not believe that a divine entity has decided everything for me in advance. I think there is a different fate for every decision I make. I still am responsible for my actions because I make them. Fate is a compilation of all my possible options and their implications. Chance, on the other hand, is given by fate. To me, these concepts are not different things. In fact, chance is part of the bigger concept of fate, in my opinion. 

I completely agree with the quote,"our actions make us who we are". In the case of Macbeth, Macbeth knew the rewards and the possible consequences which could arise due to his actions. He knew that he could be punished for the murder of King Duncan and treason. Macbeth was a loyal servant to King Duncan. He respected and was dedicated to the King, but the witches influenced Macbeth. Although the three witches presented a possible fate, Macbeth did not have to accept it. He could have ignored the supernatural and continued to live his life.

First Witch

All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!

Second Witch

All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

Third Witch

All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!

Act 1, Scene 3

Macbeth had a choice to ignore the prophecy and continue being the Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. I believe if you deserve something, then you will get it, no matter what happens, in the end. Similarly, if Macbeth was fated to be King, then he could have been King without the needless bloodshed. He tried to obtain his goal by wrongfully harming someone.

MACBETH

Your children shall be kings.

BANQUO

You shall be king.

MACBETH

And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?

Act 1, Scene 3

Macbeth already seems to be swayed and drunk on power. King Duncan did not announce Macbeth's promotion yet, but Macbeth already seems to be excited. This shows Macbeth's motivation and the witches' prophecy is encouraging him. His obsession with power is also evident. 

MACBETH

[Aside] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir.

Act 1, Scene 3

This line shows that Shakespeare does not believe in fate. He believes that in order to attain something, the individual has to work for it. Fate cannot simply hand rewards to people who do not show their worth. This is shown in the beginning of the play. Macbeth does not believe in fate nor in chance. He thinks the only way to make sure he gets the crown is by securing it. This is the reason why Macbeth begins to scheme with Lady Macbeth to kill the King. Macbeth lies in the line above, while mentioning chance because he already has a plan to execute the King.  

I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

Act 2, Scene 1

MACBETH

Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received,
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
That they have done't?

Act 1, Scene 7

He premeditated the murder, while contemplating his fate. Dreams and thoughts cross Macbeth's mind while he thinks of harming King Duncan. Shakespeare's emphasis on the dagger in this line and Macbeth's soliloquy shows that Macbeth intends or at least anticipates the murder to occur. This provides evidence that Macbeth is choosing to murder the King, and that Macbeth's actions are not predetermined by fate. 

Title: Unfolded Architecture
Artist: Pablo Rasgado
Date:1984
Size: 65" X 65"
Medium: Broken Drywall pieces

My Sketch

Frankly, I have never seen a gallery like this one. CAM has been a completely new experience for me. Most art galleries I have seen contain realism paintings or at the most abstract pieces like those similar to Picasso.I knew beautiful art does not need canvas or paint for it to be considered art. However, broken drywall pieces was a shock to me. 

Unfolded Architecture is from Mexico by Pablo Rasgado. Although this piece is a mosaic which can represents many things, Pablo has not yet revealed his reason behind the creation of this piece. Many other pieces like this one are displayed throughout Mexico's streets. He leaves the viewer to interpret his art and to ponder over its creation. He has been called the leader of "poetic charge" because he has distanced himself from the artistic tradition. His artwork stands as the introduction of art through a new medium and a new treatment of art.  

Unfolded Architecture uses a range of broken drywall pieces with a variety of color. Although this art piece lacks color, the ripped wallpaper shows the uneven edges and creates unique shapes within the artwork. The new medium allows the viewer to see the art in its simplicity. This reinforces the meaning that art does not need polished materials to look aesthetically beautiful to the eye. Unfolded architecture is an orginal piece which attempts to dissuade its viewers from the contemporary art forms. Art can beautiful and meaningful as long as it has a purpose to someone. Rasgado, as a result created a series of these pieces for the audience as a conundrum to interpret their views on art.  

Recently in TOK, we explored art. We also exposed the some stereotypes of art such as art must use artistic elements such as color, or that it must be made with artistic materials like a brush or pencil. This artwork exemplifies in many ways what many people would not consider as art. However similar to what we have learned, art must serve a purpose for the artist and or for the audience to be art. It does not need to be beautiful or expensive to be displayed in a gallery.  

Keeping this in mind, Rasgado's piece is successful in portraying its originality and its message. A call for diverse art. This although implied could very well be an underlying theme displayed by his usage of drywall.The basic and common item, broken drywall, signals that art can be simple and basic while complex in its structure simultaneously. The mosaic is intricate and has a range of uniquely shaped pieces of drywall embedded in a standard square shape. The author lets you escape from your definition of art to come and explore his point of view. Even the title of the art lets the viewer know the origin of the art. Unfolded Architecture presents preconceived materials, broken and used drywall pieces from numerous buildings.

Rasgado's perspective has been greatly applauded. Especially, this day and age the people want to see more than just paintings. Now we seek innovation in art that sets it apart from the past. We visit museums to experience and appreciate what has already been discovered, but we visit art galleries to envision a new future for art. Rasgado's art is one of the few which allow our minds to deviate from the canvas and to look out in the streets for new forms of creativity. Not only has Unfolded Architecture been praised, but also other forms of art are new being explored and valued such as graffiti. Some time from now, these pieces will be have a price tag soon to add to their artistic quality and to reward the artist's thinking.