Farewell to Faraway Friends 1971

This image, *Farewell to Faraway Friends,* by Bas Jan Ader, I imagine, came into being through careful observation, a sort of devotional act, to capture a fleeting moment. The sky is awash with oranges, pinks, and blues, a classic sunset, and the lone figure on the shoreline is silhouetted against this vibrant backdrop. I feel a strong connection with Ader's willingness to embrace vulnerability, both in his life and his work. Making art is an act of letting go, of saying farewell to old ideas and expectations, and venturing into the unknown, it requires courage. Here, the figure is on the edge of land and sea. The image resonates with other artists who explore themes of transience, loss, and the search for meaning, like On Kawara and his date paintings, which meditate on the passage of time. Like Kawara, Ader invites us to contemplate our place in the universe and the nature of human existence. Ultimately, artists are in conversation with one another across time, inspiring and influencing each other's creative journeys.