Open Up 2019

Editor: This is "Open Up," a mixed-media piece by Jason Limon, created in 2019. I'm immediately struck by the juxtaposition of the whimsical, almost ornate, geometric structure with the stark reality of the skeleton figure. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's a fascinating collection of symbols, isn't it? Notice how the skeleton is contained *within* the geometric form, cradled, almost protected by it. The geometric shape, patterned with these decorative motifs, feels almost like a puzzle box. Editor: A puzzle box? Interesting... What do you mean? Curator: Think about what "opening up" might symbolize. The skeleton, often a symbol of mortality, is trapped, or perhaps poised, within this elaborately designed container. Could this be a commentary on the ways we try to contain, decorate, or even deny our own mortality? Editor: That makes sense. The title adds another layer, right? “Open Up” – suggesting both vulnerability and perhaps even a hopeful release? What about the "UP" emblems? Curator: Exactly! The directional cues create a tension. What is “up” in this context? Is it ascension, perhaps spiritual? Or simply a release from this earthly puzzle? What's intriguing is the skeleton seems neither distressed nor peaceful. Editor: I see… It's as if it is passively waiting. I guess it’s made me realize that symbols aren't static. They evolve with cultural memory and personal experience. Curator: Precisely! It makes you think, doesn’t it? Each viewer brings their own experiences to decode those visual cues and build those links within cultural understanding.