Speaker tells students to find wonder
he third annual Dean’s Convocation of the Caine College of the Arts called students to notice mystery and wonder in their lives on Wednesday afternoon.
Robert Blocker, dean of the Yale School of Music, addressed the crowd in a speech titled, “Whatever Happened to Wonder?”
Blocker began by asking students when wonder last visited them. Throughout his speech, Blocker said the concept is not only important in art, but in the daily routine of people’s lives.
“Most of you were born into a techno global world,” he said. “Society has softened the boundaries of values in virtually every walk of life. These environmental conditions are strikingly different than those of even ten years ago.”
Addressing art students, Blocker said recognizing and accepting wonder is significant in their work.
“Each of us has been chosen by art,” he said. “We’re called to ensure the birthright of wonder in a troubled world that so desperately needs our artistic bridges of understanding.”
Blocker said many students don’t recognize wonder in their lives because they’re too busy.
“Was it the seductive addiction to your iPhone that caused you to miss the unrivaled beauty of a rainbow?” he asked the group.
He offered several things students can do to bring wonder back into their lives. Humility, gratitude and receptivity were among them.
“Humility enables you to see and understand that art is a sacred trust,” he said.
Blocker also mentioned the importance of being vulnerable.
“Vulnerability is an essential ingredient of meaningful artistic expression,” he said. “It is a window to the soul through which suffering passes.”
Blocker said convocation is important because it represents a new beginning.
“It begins a new chapter today for the Caine College community. It is a clean slate for every one of us, a second chance,” he said.
Craig Jessop, dean of the Caine College of the Arts, was the introductory speaker of the event. He said students should change their perspectives.
“The hardest thing is to have a sense of perspective,” he said. “One must dream big, one must set lofty goals, one must surround himself by those who stretch themselves.”
Jessop echoed Blocker’s words in telling students of the importance of being an artist.
“To be a performing artist of any kind is so embedded in the soul,” he said. “It’s like breathing itself.”
Anna Moore, a freshman majoring in art, said she attended the speech because she heard a professor from Yale would be speaking.
“I thought it was pretty cool that a dean from Yale was here,” she said. “You don’t always get an opportunity like that, so I figured I might as well go.”
Moore said she now has a new perspective of the importance of her time here at USU.
“I think he stressed a lot about using your artistic and creative talents to give back to society,” she said. “Not just to be an artist, but to be a productive and contributing citizen.”
Moore said the speech motivated to her make some changes in her own life.
“I think this reminds me that I shouldn’t just look at college like I’m here to learn art, but to look at it as this is a good thing to round myself in all areas,” she said. “I’m not just taking the class because I have to, but to learn.”
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