Noon Magic 

Olin Herman Travis created the artwork titled 'Noon Magic', using graphite on paper. The first thing that strikes you is the way the composition is divided, creating a distinct separation between the performers on stage and the audience below. The harsh lines and shading give the scene a theatrical yet slightly gritty feel, drawing you into the spectacle. The contrast between the performers, a slender woman and a stout man, plays with traditional representations of stage figures. The crosshatching and varied line weights suggest depth and texture, creating a sense of three-dimensionality within the two-dimensional space. Semiotically, the magician’s wand, the beer, and the magician's hat on a table beside the woman are all signs of performance and illusion. The composition prompts questions about the nature of performance, the gaze, and the roles we play. It invites ongoing interpretations of its meaning.