Falling Man 1967

Editor: This drawing from 1967, called "Falling Man", is by Ernest Trova. The bright pink figure against the mustard-yellow background feels playful, almost whimsical. It’s definitely eye-catching! What do you make of it? Curator: "Falling Man," indeed! Trova's figures are always fascinating. I see a bit of existential humor, don't you think? He takes this really human concept—falling, losing control—and renders it in these stark, geometric shapes. The pop art sensibility clashes so wonderfully with the implied vulnerability of the figure. I almost feel like the falling man is in freefall! I imagine Trova smiling faintly, pondering the absurdity of existence as he sliced those shapes. How do the colours resonate with you? Editor: I can definitely see the existential angle. And freefall! The colors make it seem both serious and kind of ironic. Like, 'Oh no, I'm falling! How terribly...bright!' Curator: Precisely! Think about the era. The '60s were all about challenging conventions, right? So Trova takes this age-old theme of human struggle and throws a vibrant, modern spin on it. There’s something quite poignant about how he distills the human form into such simple elements, don't you think? Editor: It’s amazing how much emotion you can get from a few shapes. It really changes my perception of what art can communicate. Curator: That's the joy of Trova! Always surprising, always making you question. Art isn't about what you see; it's about what it makes you feel, after all. And sometimes, a little bit of joyful confusion is exactly what you need. Editor: True. It gives a new depth to seemingly simplistic pop art. Curator: Right, so, he encourages you to explore beyond the initial appearance, making you think about both freedom and constraint, vulnerability and performance. Pretty powerful stuff.