On mountains and magic

copyright: Dorothée King

There is this quote that has been on my mind for a while:

“What You Can Do, or Dream You Can, Begin It; 
Boldness Has Genius, Power, and Magic in It.”
 
This quote is attributed to the Scottish author and mountaineer William Hutichson Murray. The mountain idea fits very well to the work-style of artists. We are thrilled by a new project, a new mountain, and do everything we can in order to climb it. Then we stand on the mountain top and see yet another beautiful mountain, a new project to conquer next.
 
This quote is also attributed to the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It is borrowed from Goethe's Faust. The quote refers to a passage in which a theater director, a poet, and an actor argue about the responsibilities in their show.
 
This kind of unclarity is very common in arts education projects. What is the role of the educator? How important are the arts? What is the significance of design? Which part play students or other participants? It is precisely this interplay of different actors and factors that repeatedly challenges projects in art education. Yet it is exactly that interplay that stimulates us educators. It makes us climb the next mountain and activates all participants to further our societies.
Back to Goethe and his Faust. At the end of the argument, the theater director says: “Enough words have been exchanged; now at last let me see some deeds! What You Can Do, or Dream You Can, Begin It; Boldness Has Genius, Power, and Magic in It.”
 
In that sense let us not hesitate in front of big mountains or complex collaborations. Act as an artist and always tackle what is of importance for you. I wish you boldness, strength, and a big sense of magic.