Curiosity of Life

Curiosity is a concept, a phenomena we are all familiar with. From young we ask questions about everything, varying from simple questions to even philosophical ones. These questions reflect the curiosity for life in children. A sense of wonder of what is happening, what has happened and what is to come. Their excitement for the unknown and the joy for the known makes their world a world full of adventure. However, once maturity and adulthood slowly makes its way, this curiosity diminishes little by little. Only a few still hold on to this curiosity and utilizes this phenomena to change the world into a better place; to change the world into the exciting and riveting place it always was. These collection of artworks are arranged in such a way to evoke the curiosity, to bring alive the childlike wonder for life. What do these artworks evoke within you? What drives your curiosity for life and what makes you wonder what it has in store for you? With these questions in mind, I hope these artwork will breathe life into your inner child and bring hope and change in how you see life. To see the world as it truly is, exciting and wonderful. Curious.

Johannes Lingelbach, Battle Scene, 1671, Oil on Canvas, 71.23

    This battle scene shows the brutality of life. All the subject matter scattered across the piece is dynamic, fighting in a war. A battle. Each one fighting with their life on the line; and yet, when we look at the tree in the corner and the broad sky, there is a sense of peace and fear. The firm foundation of the tree and the sparse leaves on the branches shows that no matter how many lives are taken in the battle, life will continue on. This shows how curious life is as it waits for no one and carries on, leaving anything and everything behind.

Alfred Freddy Krupa, The hat, 2016, Photography, Figurative

    The woman sitting on a beach-side with a nonchalant posture shows the many good times of relaxation in life. Leisure time is important for most of us living life as it gives us time to take a break and notice the beauty around us or even to think about nothing. The woman in the photograph gives us just that, a vacation at the beach. But her sun hat covering her face adds a mysterious element acting almost as a barrier. This photograph shows the curiosity of life by displaying the complexity of life. How you can both be relaxed but tense. Both open but closed.

Thomas Jones, View in Radnorshire, 1776, Oil on Paper, National Museum of Wales

    Nature is key to our lives, without it, life itself will cease to exist. This landscape painting brings forth the importance of nature. The vast open space of the landscape and the fluffy clouds give a sense of comfort and peace. It is almost like something familiar but foreign. This sensation can only be experienced if and only if you are taking a breath; not an ordinary breath but a restful, thoughtful breath. Taking this breath can mimic this sensation of comfort and peace. After life has given battles and tensions between two opposite forces, this painting serves as a reminder to take a breather. To simply breath. Through this breath, the wonders of life can be seen.

Nakahara Nantenbo, Nantenbo’s Handprint, Meiji Period (1868-1912), Calligraphy

    This handprint shows intimacy with us and the artist. Nantenbo imprinting his own hands onto his calligraphy ties us together. We are no longer viewers but instead we are now a part of his art, experiencing life. This shows how life connects different people through even the smallest similarities. Although not much can be understood, the handprint speaks to our inner primal selves that requires no words but instead, instincts. This primal instinct of ours show the curiosity of life as our primal instinct is driven by curiosity.

Erin Hanson, Field of Blooms, 2016, Oil on Canvas
    This is another nature centered piece. What makes this unique and different from the other painting is the chaos. The amount of flowers growing in one meadow and how it is arranged is simply breathtaking and stressful. This represents life in such a way most adults would be able to relate to, chaos. This piece shows the curiosity of life by showing the beauty in chaos. From afar, all the flowers look to be beautiful and calm; once you get closer to the painting, there is a stark contrast between the calm and the chaos. The flowers become too overwhelming, overbearing.

Frederick Sommer, Livia, 1948, Photography, Museum of Modern Art

    Livia has a special place in this exhibition as Livia represents the youthful, hopeful, joyful, innocent child we all once were. The innocence of the child cleanses our view of the dark and gritty world. Looking at a child, we are reminded of who we were once, an innocent, loving being. This photograph also serves as a reminder of how short our time being children were. How our memories of childhood felt like yesterday. This photograph encompasses the harsh reality of truth and how we are affected by it; never able to solve it.

Thomas Couture, Soap Bubble, 1859, Oil on Canvas, 87.15.22

    This is the centerpiece of the exhibition. Couture successfully wrapped up the curiosity of life in this painting. The glance of the boy alone is able to convey so much to the wonders of life. The longing gaze at the bubble show how much the bubble is intriguing to the boy. The bubble’s fragile existence shows the fragility of our own life and how easy it is for our life to simply cease to exist. But because of this fragility, there is elegance and a poetic bitter-sweet connotation. Thus, is the curiosity of life.