Magnus Furorem 

Editor: Let's talk about "Magnus Furorem" by Troy Brooks. It's a portrait, and the figure has bees obscuring their eyes… It strikes me as unsettling but also strangely beautiful. What are your thoughts when you look at this? Curator: The work operates effectively on the visual level, does it not? Consider first the composition. The portrait's symmetry lends itself to a feeling of classical beauty. However, that symmetry is actively undermined. The swarm disrupts the pure lines of the face, creating tension. What purpose, aesthetically, might that disruption serve? Editor: I guess the disruption makes it more interesting to look at. The stark contrast between the soft skin and the harsh, dark bees draws you in. Curator: Precisely. And note the contrast isn't merely tonal. The smooth, almost porcelain skin is set against the jagged, buzzing forms of the insects. There is a tactile quality created through purely visual means. What about the color choices? The muted palette versus the startling red of the lips? Editor: The red really pops, doesn't it? It draws attention to the mouth, maybe suggesting something about communication or even pain? Curator: An astute observation. The vivid red is isolated and thus amplified. But consider it formally: how does that singular, vibrant point interact with the broader color field of the work? Does it create balance or further tension? Editor: It definitely creates more tension, because it's the only real color. I'm starting to see how all these elements play off each other in unexpected ways. Curator: Indeed. Through formal arrangement, the artist constructs a visual experience that goes beyond mere representation to evoke deeper, more complex sensations. It is a compelling study of contrast. Editor: I understand better how formal elements create meaning now! Thanks!