Torus 2013

Editor: This painting, titled "Torus" by Dragan Ilić Di Vogo, was made in 2013 using oil paint and fresco techniques. I find the girl's gaze so captivating, but also unsettling with those almost clashing realism and surrealist elements in the composition. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a tapestry woven with potent symbols, connecting us to archetypal narratives. The girl, a modern-day Madonna perhaps, presents us with a rose, traditionally a symbol of love, secrecy, or even death depending on its color and context. The 'T' looming behind her becomes a glyph, suggesting time, truth, or even transcendence depending on one's interpretation. Notice the looping form above, it implies infinity. How do these elements make you feel? Editor: It feels a bit melancholic, even though she’s holding a rose. Is the 'T' a direct symbol, or more open to interpretation? Curator: The power of the image resides in its ability to hold multiple meanings simultaneously. While the ‘T’ could be seen as a straightforward initial, it also acts as a visual anchor, reminding us of the symbolic weight letters carry in various cultures. The combination of a letter and a symbol urges us to dig deeper. And does the muted palette of earth tones influence your emotional reading of the scene? Editor: Absolutely. I suppose the colors add a sense of timelessness, like an old photograph or fresco. Are these colors meant to amplify or diminish some of the symbols and hidden context? Curator: I think it is meant to enhance, calling upon the deep roots of human emotion. We tend to think that bright, bold colors incite passion, but here a sense of reverence and awe are provoked with these washed earthy tones. What is left, is the image's overall symbolic structure that resonates powerfully with both the conscious and unconscious mind, regardless of our background or prior knowledge. Editor: I now recognize the intentionality and carefully woven story it tells. Thank you. Curator: And thank you for offering fresh perspectives on these enduring symbols.