Failed Institutions and the Mayhem that Follows

Gangs were originally formed to help communities, not individuals. They were not involved in drug trafficking but were created to protect certain communities and provide services that the government neglected. As we are aware now, gangs are largely involved in drug trade and other illegal activity. Gangs have formed an entire economic system similar to any other business, except the activity is illicit. They provide several services to the community that the government neglects in their neighborhoods which in turn creates a community that is reliant on them.

This subject strongly resonates with the Search For Order theme present during the enlightenment period. I see many instances where a need for organization is filled by the gang. There is a demand for government in these projects, and the gang provides this structure. It isn't always the way the people want it but it is better than nothing. These problems are perpetuated by poverty that a highly segregated community engenders.

Housing Projects in Harlem

Another theme that applies to gang activity is the conflict and collapse motif of the Modernism period. While not quite as dramatic as a world conflict or the collapse of the empire, it does reflect a small-scale collapse of government institutions based off of race conflicts. These institutions quite literally fail the people they are meant to serve. Pseudo-governments commonly referred to as gangs, fill the gaps that the collapse of institutions fails to accomplish. Housing, protection, basic needs, law and order, and much more are the responsibility of the gangs. While gangs do benefit some people, it is at a steep price to the people that these needs are fulfilled. 

Image: Harlem Projects by ArtisticOperations, licensed by CC through Pixaby 2.0

Beauty, Truth, and Love

One of Mucha's famed posters.

My most long-standing friend is my cousin Adam. One of the first things I remember of him is his amazing artistic ability. Growing up, I was always in awe of his drawings, which largely consisted of lanky ladies in lavish outfits. My second summer of high school, at our local Barnes and Noble, Adam introduced me to one of his favorite artists—Alphonse Mucha.

Looking through Mucha's works, I realized why my cousin admired him. His pieces were completely captivating, unlike anything I had ever seen before. The artist's trademark style has an ethereal quality to it; the subjects appear enchantingly regal, like quietly omnipotent goddesses; the paintings are highly impressionistic but still precisely detailed. Mucha's unique Belle Epoque style is unmistakable, even among other art nouveau.

Mucha, like my cousin, had always been an artist, even before he could walk. Still, he struggled to make ends meet at first. Finally, at age 34, Mucha was by chance tasked with creating a poster for the upcoming performance of famous Parisian performer Sarah Bernhardt. He used a narrow poster and pastels to create the advertisement, and Bernhardt loved the distinctly modern-yet-sophisticated style so much she had him create posters for all her performances. People were so obsessed with the posters they would cut them down off their posts for themselves.