Amalgamating Artistry
“Untitled” by Carmen Lopez
“Amalgamating Artistry” by Swati Ernst
Living life in the mind is similar to still art. It is a still, framed piece containing fragments of reality. Every morning I routinely wake up and get out of bed, yet my mind then is no different than it was while I slept. I change out of my resting clothes just to put on new, differently decorated ones created from the same fabric. The sun is to the moon what open eyes are to closed eyes: ‘opposites’ are more similar than many of us think. Days spin on repeat; I lose track of the hours, the minutes disappear with the seconds even further out of sight. The world continuously moves on; with individuals holding their own thoughts, their own minds, their own time. They interact but are just obstacles, mere victories in life's course. Physically, we all go through change: humans grow taller, shorter, thinner, fatter, stronger, and weaker with age. Mentally, we become worrisome and judgemental, yet a seemingly child-like curiosity remains. The world is overflowing with different perceptions, hopes, dreams, loves- we’re led to wonder where they’ve come from.
Feelings vary. We yearn to be loved; but not by her and not by him. We want to be wanted; but not by them or not by him. Fears of rejection and abandonment force us to adapt. This could be an explanation for why society is perceived as unchanging. Onlookers observe two young girls, romantically holding hands, and quickly pass, fearing eye contact. They fear this change but choose to stay rooted in the past; similar to glancing at a painting yet not quite observing it. Viewing the brush strokes but rejecting the passion. The artist opens their eyes and can feel the difference: the adoration, the fear, the passion put onto a canvas is meant to be felt by others as well. Frida Kahlo, for example, is blatant and bold. Every portrait she paints, a new emotion, a new realness is shown. The depth of her color usage and technique runs so deep, yet in all her self portraits the same determination can be seen in her expression; eyelids relaxed, lips straight yet slightly curved at the ends into a frown, posture tall and strong, radiating an intimidating and dynamic hue.
Frida Kahlo lived every moment to the greatest extent. She felt the truth and she hoped for change. Her determination is contagious; as onlookers we observe her artwork and feel a new-found sense of persistence and strength. In a way, these connections that artists bring into our minds, our emotional core, amalgamates us. We can acknowledge that we are all individuals living our own separate lives. We can listen and we can change. We can ameliorate.
