Venice 1995

Madoka Takagi captured this image, "Venice," with photography, revealing a poignant scene dominated by a treehouse. The treehouse, more than a childhood haunt, is a potent symbol of refuge, a space lifted from the mundane. Consider its echoes in religious iconography—the elevated temple, the sacred grove—places where the soul seeks higher ground. This yearning for elevation, for escape, isn't new. We see it in medieval allegories of the "hortus conclusus," the enclosed garden representing a space of spiritual retreat. Here, the ladder invites us to ascend, promising a glimpse into a realm of possibility. It evokes a powerful emotional response, tapping into our collective memory of seeking solace and sanctuary. This dream of a safe haven in the sky persists and transforms, carried through time in our shared visual language.