Can Beauty Save the World

When architectural students arrived in San Diego from Mexico, Russia, the People's Republic of China, northern California, and New England many people questioned whether they could communicate well enough to design and build a park together. Others questioned whether they would even try. This was not the first project lead by James Hubbell. He knew what was possible. He repeatedly told everyone involved that "when chaos is everywhere only beauty and truth can communicate." In this case he was right.

Since that time in 1998 I have been curious to see whether other people could relate to this idea that became a mantra to the participants and supporters of the Pacific Rim Park. I have watched the news of our relationships with each other during contentious political debates and races. I have watched the news of our relationships with other countries and cultures. And I wonder about the truth of these words that James has clung to.

With that in mind I have decided to reach out to people; to talk to them about their perception and experience of beauty, to ask them to attempt to define beauty, to attempt to define truth, to ask them if they believe we can use beauty and truth to communicate effectively in our lives.

In these blog posts other people's stories, definitions, and beliefs will be the major thread. There will also be links to the thoughts of artists, scientist, writers, performers, maybe even a politician or two. The first link is to the story of the Jardin de Ninos La Esperanza, a school buit in Colonia Esperanze by volunteers who believed in the power of beauty to change the lives of children growing up in devastating poverty.

Please join in with your thoughts.