Embracing Ambiguity
‘To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.’ ~ Paul Valéry
We exist in a constant state of flux, and our understanding of the world is always incomplete. It is this ambiguity that makes life interesting and worth living.
In art, ambiguity is a powerful tool. Rather than reproducing the visible, art makes visible the ambiguous, the uncertain, and the unknown. It challenges our assumptions and invites us to question our understanding of the world. As Paul Klee famously said, "Art does not reproduce the visible; rather it makes visible."
In a society that values clarity and certainty, ambiguity can be unsettling. We often seek to categorize and label things, to neatly fit them into preconceived boxes. But this desire for neatness and order can lead to a narrow, limited view of the world. When we focus too much on labels and categories, we miss the richness and complexity of the world around us.
Embracing ambiguity can be uncomfortable, but it is also liberating. When we acknowledge that our understanding of the world is always incomplete, we open ourselves up to new experiences and new ways of thinking. We become more humble and receptive to the perspectives of others.
The ethics of ambiguity invite us to embrace the unknown and to live with a sense of openness and curiosity. By doing so, we can coexist and flourish together in a world that is inherently uncertain and constantly changing.