Do you make the time to observe your surroundings? I mean really observe your surroundings. It’s easy to let the day slip away, a passing blur like in the passenger window. Constant distractions are literally at the tips of our fingers.
Today I got to see one of Banksy’s pieces today. I saw a few days ago that he made this in the UWS. It was a stone’s throw from my new apartment. As soon as I found out the location, I made my way there. I hopped up the stairs of the subway, eagerly anticipating what I’d see.
At the corner, I saw a guy with headphones. I tugged at his sleeve to tell him the news. Excitement tumbled out of my mouth like a really long hast tag:
HeyDoYouKnowBanksy?OneOfHisPiecesIsRightThereAcrossTheStreet!!!!!!
He was happy to hear about it, and see it from afar. But he didn’t stop to see it.
I stood in front of it for a while. People stopped to look. It started with children, asking their mothers about it. They seemed the most observant. Then, the adults would get engaged, explaining the concept. A small crowd started to form. I started talking to a man and woman, taking photos for them in front of the piece. I went on and on about Banksy’s artist residency here in New York. When the man came back for his camera phone, he remarked:
“The painting is so simple. It doesn’t take a lot of skill. I think I could do it.”
I couldn’t help but think:
“If you can barely take the time to look, how can you take the time to create?”