Midnight Picnic 2020

Curator: Daria Theodora’s “Midnight Picnic,” painted in 2020, presents a dreamy tableau rendered in watercolor. It’s quite a departure from more traditional depictions of leisure. Editor: My first impression is one of fantastical tranquility. There’s a strong sense of whimsy, with this central figure levitating amidst a picnic spread under what looks like a starry night sky… or perhaps a very stylized canopy? It gives off a strangely comforting vibe, a blend of fairytale and quiet solitude. Curator: I agree. The subject, perched on what appears to be a picnic blanket floating among flowers and under swirling clouds, strongly evokes childhood fantasy. Note how the red bow in her hair and matching shoes stand out against the somber colors of the night. Are these the signs of a budding witch, perhaps? And the ever-present black cat? Editor: Exactly! And it's interesting how the objects surrounding her—an apple, slices of cake, a cat—carry such potent symbolic weight. The apple could be a nod to innocence, temptation, knowledge… It seems less about literal storytelling and more about evoking certain emotional and cultural resonances. We could consider her audience by that time: Daria used to showcase and sale most of her art on Instagram. This invites an open conversation with them as well. Curator: True, there's something inherently inviting in the painting's symbols. The picnic setup suggests a space of nourishment, but also perhaps a connection to something beyond the material world. What do you read into that black cat? Editor: Well, cats often embody independence, magic, the liminal space between worlds. In this context, it reinforces the idea that our subject isn't confined to everyday reality; it highlights the sitter’s sense of independence, yet comfort. The cat seems both a companion and an extension of the character's mystical qualities. Curator: The clouds themselves almost resemble large floating blossoms. A reinterpretation of naive art, almost...The painting makes effective use of the watercolour. Do you think it references popular social ideals about feminine mystique? Editor: Very possibly, with its gentle embrace of those symbolic images we understand in both social and symbolic cultural norms, especially online. It is difficult to assess if it truly resists against this concept however. Curator: Ultimately, “Midnight Picnic” seems less a depiction of a concrete event and more a glimpse into an emotional or psychological landscape, filled with symbols that resonate deep in our collective consciousness. It offers us that quietude we so crave in the middle of chaos. Editor: I agree. The dream-like nature gives us this surreal intimacy, reminding us that the power of images to create their own worlds.