What role does art play in our understanding of the world, and of human history? How does art influence our communication with one another? In "On Smoke and Fire" two disciples stand across from one another, each holding a scrap of a painting in their hands. They hold the work up to one another, almost as a peace offering. Each scrap is one half of a complete painting: the bottom being flames and destroyed landscape, the other half being smoke which transcends the painting into the right corner of the canvas. What can these fragmented paintings tell the figures about their own reality?
A god-like figure looks over the disciples, reaching over towards the canvas which depicts flames. The two figures are seemingly unaware of the figure looking over them. The world behind them is an obscured wash of ruddy orange, perhaps a reflection of the aftermath of the smoke and fire shown in in the paintings. The destruction of the past, while hard to digest, provides an understanding of the present. Bak’s work serves as an ongoing reminder of art’s importance in deciphering history.
Lilly Harvey (Guest writer)
BAK a Day, February 1, 2024
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