A weekend filled with art and passion || Weekend-Engagement topics WEEK 284

The last weekend of November is fast approaching, and the year is slipping through our fingers. With that, one sometimes finds oneself reflecting on so many things that have happened... And so come the questions that @galenkp offers us this time, in keeping with the theme of cause and effect.

I say coincidental because this weekend I went to an art gallery to try and unwind a bit, and it turns out the theme of the exhibition is very much in tune with the initiative in question, even though superficially they seem to have nothing in common.

I'm at the Pórtico Gallery in Santa Clara, the city where I live. There I discovered the solo exhibition "Without Homeland and Without Shadow," by visual artist Carlos Daniel Castillo, curated by him, Juan Carlos Pérez, and Andrés Castellanos; a veritable outpouring of catharsis through different art forms.

In his own words, it is a projection of specters in search of light, the pain of uprooting, the shadow that migrated from some dream among the stars, finding strength in the wear and tear of scarcity, the ruin of a neighborhood, the twilight of an era in the yearning for another future, the image of his grandfather returning from the countryside with his songs and stories, the longing for his lost toys...

A projection achieved through the use of rubble, tenement posts, pieces of roofs stained by damp, rusted metal sheets, dust, an allegory to the smoke of rustic lamps for dark nights... All elements that regain a new value, pressing our hearts to their contemplation.

This exhibition, besides stirring emotions, becomes an ideal pretext for reflecting on the questions posed by @galenkp

Expectations vs. disappointments

The first question arises from the gaze of these faces, which compels us to pause and observe them.

It's common to form certain expectations about people we're about to meet, those we meet in a first encounter, those we see in various settings, or those around us.

This isn't necessarily a negative thing, but it becomes so when, as a result of those expectations, we feel disappointed.

What solution do some people seek then? Perhaps not to create any expectations at all, or to set very low standards so as not to suffer any disappointment.

In my case, I try not to prejudge anyone or let myself be swayed by prejudices that often become limiting in every way. I try to focus on getting to know people and offering them my open arms.

Has anyone disappointed me? Of course, but I try to let things flow and let it affect me as little as possible, as long as I'm certain I've given my best in a genuine way. Life will take care of putting things right, even if the process is sometimes painful.

What do we miss about childhood?

This second question from @galenkp makes me think about my childhood dreams of being a clown to help others laugh.

My childhood wasn't particularly happy, but I do remember longing to travel the world and help eradicate poverty.

I look now at these faces sculpted in wood and they bring back memories of the old people who surrounded me, with anxieties that, in those times, I did not understand... Sometimes, I wish I could still be a child so as not to understand anything and to dream of a world that could laugh, just that.

Monogamy or polygamy? Preferences?

If there's one thing I've always been certain of, even as a child, it's monogamy. I've always been clear about giving myself to a woman who makes me soar, who allows me to make her soar, and with whom I would fly hand in hand in an imperfectly perfect communion. A union where each day awakens on her wings and under the glow of her faithful and devoted gaze. I need nothing more.

It's true that there are cultures where polygamy is traditional and imposed. I respect the decision of those who practice it with complete mutual satisfaction and the capacity to be happy, as long as it doesn't affect third parties. But I, I repeat, prefer to sit down at the table with just one woman who makes me feel alive... In short, I prefer monogamy.

Time will take care of bringing the right woman into my life. Meanwhile, I remain immersed in these works of art, which may perhaps evoke her, why not?

Do we unfairly blame someone for something that was actually our fault or responsibility?

This third question leads us to consider these mixed-media art installations.

Pieces of rebar piercing the head from side to side, closed eyes, a mouth unable to utter a single word... These elements are consistent with someone who habitually blames others for something for which she alone bears full responsibility—or rather, not full responsibility, because it's very difficult for blame to always rest on one side.

I think the most important thing here is to reflect on blaming someone else when they don't deserve it. I have no place in that. I never blame anyone. Everyone has to know the cause of their own actions.

Three things that we are passionate about.

We're nearing the end of our gallery tour, and with it comes the final question from @galenkp.

I'm passionate about many things, besides art. I'm passionate about sincere, empathetic, authentic, loyal, honest, and humble human beings...

I am passionate about nature: the sea at dawn, the calm sea at dusk, rivers, waterfalls, caves, good music, the caress of the wind in the embrace of that partner one dreams of and needs to find to smile together...

I am passionate about life and the idea that one's homeland is universal and that shadows exist only to illuminate time.

And with this same passion with which I now conclude my tour of this gallery, I am off to other places before this weekend ends.

For now, all that remains is to remind you to keep smiling and send each of you a hug of light!