Diversity, What Else ?

The exhibition displays art like nowhere else in Austria. A dazzling diversity of black artists from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali—and Vienna. “Diversity, what else?” Shouldn’t that be obvious. Diversity, difference, individual uniqueness—that’s what art is all about. The same is true for community. Art gives us inspiration for this. 

Because good coexistence requires perceiving and accepting others in their individuality, with their respective characteristics and qualities, desires, ideas, visions, goals, values, and ideals. Only in this way can people establish connections and relationships on an equal footing – free of hierarchy and power claims.

Those who only recognize what corresponds to their own ideas and expectations exclude others, claim superiority, and demand subordination. This denies others self-determination and independence.

Sounds exaggerated? It is commonplace. In every kind of relationship. I may say this based on my experience as a psychologist and coach. Many parents have ideas about how their children should be, what they should achieve, what they should become – without getting to know and appreciate their children’s wishes, talents, and ambitions deeply. Married couples/partners often expect the other person to feel, think and act like them. This leads to a strong tendency to base expectations of others on one’s own views and behaviors, which then need to be shared and fulfilled. However, those who only experience appreciation by fulfilling assigned expectations and tasks can only feel self-worth through conformity and functionality. Such devotion becomes—treacherously—self-sacrifice. This is not possible without pain and suffering. 

Appreciating diversity is a constant challenge. Because people develop and change. Therefore, it is important to be open to variability. This is how art develops and how relationships develop creatively—as a constant expansion and enrichment. Clinging to once-formed ideas claims to have attained certainty—about the other person and about the world in general. Then there is nothing new to experience. 

Art must not be subordinated to the (predominantly white, male) mainstream. People must not become frozen in conformity. Art—especially young art—encourages us to see, experience, think, and understand in new ways. To break out of rigid ideas, habits of thought, and patterns of behavior. 

There is a strong tendency to get stuck in restricted mindsets. We see it in proliferating tight opinion bubbles and growing polarization, in segregation with increasing exclusion, the disruption of respectful, appreciative, and prosperous coexistence, in growing adversity and hate. This is another reason why we are committed to promoting underrepresented positions and treating them with dignity. The postulate is inherent in art. “Diversity, what else?” The otherness of each and every person is recognized, valued, and celebrated as an enriching difference for our lives. 

Michael Schmitz