Ariana Gomez

As social creatures we begin by observing and being taught; gleaning what our actions might become, and acting with increasing capability and knowledge. We are taught proactively, but also learn through all that we consume and process in our ongoing day to day navigations. This is how you interact, this is the function of this object, this is how to structure and maintain a life. And in this way, before we are better able to sift through all this consumed information, we are already affected. We have built ideas and notions and behaviors, our own included on the patterns and frameworks before us. We exist while forming from all that is presented. With increasing awareness we can see this happening. We can see ourselves carrying these constructions forward. Seeing this can feel murkier; our lines not as sure, understandings not as clear and identities not so truthful. The further we delve into life, the more we encounter this, while our actions become habitual, ritual even to counteract this destabilizing effect. Everything is rationalized. But consider the murkiness, the lack of stability, sincerity, in your constructions. Feel ourselves shrouded. What you are consuming and why, comes into purview. We would reframe our experience of known things. We would become what we are aware of, we would care that we consume, knowing the possibility of shifting constructions, and what follows for others.