The title of this painting, "Seascape with Celebration", becomes partially obvious at first glance. What tickles at me is the question, what exactly makes it a celebration? Haphazardly arranged segments of pear, stone, cups, bottles, and metal all make for a chaotic scene. Colorful ribbons flying in the wind further direct the viewer’s eye laterally and contribute a sense of movement. The widespread disarray and disjointed segments vaguely imply violence, a strong force whose destruction configured this scene. Then, perhaps the celebration is for surviving the tumultuous events responsible for the chaos. In that case, the ocean peeking out from the left and right of the foreground may remind us of rebirth and renewal. The ocean can be a massive and overwhelming force of nature, ever present but simultaneously always changing. In that sense, it is akin to the unyielding force of time. The top of the composition depicts dark clouds approaching, implying that dusk grows near. Faint hints of orange along the horizon, a sunset, hints at a celebration for the end of a long day.
Something that grabbed my attention was the small brown pear sitting quietly to the left of the arrangement. Nestled directly behind it is a small blue chalice, vibrant and cheery. One can almost imagine that the little pear is engaging in the festivities, drinking from the cup, and soaking in the celebration. There is a tangible sense of merriment established by the bright colors and controlled chaos of the composition. The tilting, intermingling, moving parts emulate human bodies at a party together. As I view this work, although there is not a person in sight, I find the scene familiar. Using his classic pears, vessels, and towering configurations, Bak has successfully captured the mood of a joyous celebration.
Sophie Weinstock, Pucker Gallery Summer 2023 Internship Program
Pitzer College, Class of 2026
BAK a Day, August 8, 2023
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