Opening Night 2019

Editor: This is Joshua Flint's "Opening Night," painted in 2019 using oil paints. It gives off such a dreamy, almost theatrical vibe with those two figures perched on the branch. What's your interpretation of it? Curator: It's interesting you picked up on the theatrical aspect. For me, "Opening Night" evokes the feeling of a memory, slightly out of focus, filtered through personal experience. Notice how Flint uses a blend of realism and something akin to neo-expressionism, layering different styles like transparent curtains. It almost feels like peeking into a half-remembered dream, doesn’t it? What about the composition stands out to you? Editor: The blurred faces, maybe? They make the figures seem anonymous, almost universal. It's like they could be anyone, or everyone. And those floating orbs of light—are they symbolic? Curator: Precisely! Those blurred features invite us to project our own stories and emotions onto the figures. As for the orbs, they could be interpreted in various ways - as stage lights, perhaps, or bubbles of memory, or even abstract representations of hope and anxiety inherent in "opening nights" both literal and metaphorical. I keep wondering about the artist and his choices - it feels intensely personal and yet strangely remote. Editor: I see what you mean! It is like we are watching someone else's memory playing out. Curator: It makes me ponder on this: how do we distill our life experiences and reframe them through art? Perhaps by blurring some details and spotlighting others. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Thanks for opening my eyes! Curator: The pleasure was all mine! It's exciting to share a personal moment with others in artwork.