The album "Circus" 1950

Fernand Léger created this artwork as part of the album "Circus" with simple lines on paper. At its heart, we find the stark, staring eye motif, radiating lines like the sun, an ancient symbol of vigilance and cosmic awareness, staring back at us, the observers. This 'all-seeing eye' echoes through centuries— from ancient Egyptian art, where the Eye of Horus symbolized protection and royal power, to its adoption in various religious and philosophical contexts, signifying divine omniscience and the quest for hidden knowledge. Think of the Renaissance, where it appeared in alchemical emblems. Here, however, the eye is intertwined with the mechanical: the wheel, the segmented forms evoking movement, energy, and perhaps, the relentless, cyclical nature of spectacle and entertainment. It’s a motif stripped bare yet laden with the weight of history, prompting an emotional and subconscious reaction. These images remind us that symbols are never static. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of human culture and psyche.