A Carnival Evening
October 3rd, 2023
I understand that completely — the colors, the setting, the mood, the landscape, the IDEA. I don’t even need a second look — a second look right away I mean — because I know the complete scale of emotions conveyed here. That is all I need to let my mind wander and to savor my understanding and connection to a person, an artist who translated to canvas a particular archetype which, as it seems, is shared by him and me across time and space. Then — only after a sweet reflection on this painting and about not being burdened alone by archetypical emotions — I can take a second look.
I like carnivals. I like seeing other people having fun — silly or shy or rambunctious or studious or any other kind of fun. I don't like the drunk and forced fun, which is also on display a lot during carnivals or wherever people are having or expecting to have fun. But there is mostly this pure and slightly embarrassing fun that I like. There is an innocence in that. And that is probably the only time when innocence is not a burden or disadvantage to participants in a social setting. But once I have enough fun, I need to step away from all that.
It doesn't matter that much where exactly. Just away. But not too far though — the slight hum of people having fun, with the occasional crescendo of shouts is pleasant as well — as long as I am far away enough to just be slightly aware of it. It could be somewhere right by the tree line, on the edge of the forest, underneath the sky blushing in the cold light of the moon. I can be there with somebody else like in this painting, or I can be there alone — it doesn't matter, especially since, so far, I have always been alone in situations like that. No matter. There is a deep pleasure in that and that is all I want. Or maybe I am lying to myself. No matter — there will be another carnival for me to enjoy soon.
