Introduction
Due to individual diversity, people experience the world in distinct and subjective ways. For instance, some individuals find a second home at work, while others remain detached from their colleagues. Similarly, some workers prefer to be a part of professional unions, whereas different employees feel better on their own. Finally, graffiti can be considered as either an art or vandalism, depending on personal tastes and preferences. In this essay, I will reflect on my experience of communities, engagement with unions, and perception of art to define my subjective vision of the world.
Communities
Hurmuses’ Extended Family portrays the workers of the GM plant in Scarborough as a closely-knit community of people who attend their work to communicate and socialize with each other. Such a depiction of work colleagues makes me think that social interactions might give one’s job a whole new meaning, enriching it and making it more exciting. In my opinion, the photographs are filled with warmth and nostalgia. In this regard, I could never comprehend the binding power of a common environment. Having changed multiple schools, I never perceived my classmates as my community and preferred to engage with certain people I liked rather than with a whole group. Similarly, I remained detached from other networks that I attended, like my tennis team or university study groups. My persisting disengagement from communities is likely to stem from my belief that personal connections are stronger and more enduring than group connections. As a consequence, I feel a part of a community only when I manage to establish meaningful relationships with all its members.
Unions
My view of unions is largely affected by my experience of communities. I do not belong to any association, primarily because I have never felt a need to unite with other people. The class readings demonstrated to me that modern unions are something more than work-centered organizations. They provide people with social support and a feeling of belongingness. They can also be a powerful tool for defending and promoting workers’ rights and a place where young people can learn about their work entitlements. At the moment, I am still hesitant about joining a union; however, I might do it in the future when I will be planning my work life and in need of wise advice.
Art
In my opinion, art is a work that serves as a source of aesthetic pleasure and elicits various emotions in a viewer. Gaudí’s villa El Capricho captures my definition of artistic excellence. The building was intended as a summer residence, that is probably why the architect chose sunflowers as the main motif. Tiles with yellow flowers and green glazed leaves in several stripes adorn the walls of the house, as well as its Orient-inspired tower. The unique style of the building separates it from other houses in the area and marks it as a piece of art. It is clear that the villa was created not solely for practical purposes since it translates the artistic vision of Gaudí and evokes associations with summer and a magical castle. The first time I saw the building, it captured me with its beauty, distinctive style, and atmosphere.
Conclusion
The experiences described in this essay are very personal and subjective. My previous history, as well as my beliefs and tastes, define how I perceive and relate to my environment. Perhaps, unlike many other people, I am weakly attached to communities and do not feel the need to be part of a group. My definition of art is based on the concepts of aesthetics and emotional response, while the issues of novelty and conceptual messages are of lesser importance to me. Altogether, these opinions reflect my personality and perception of the world.