I remember enjoying this piece the most of the gallery opening that night. Portraits, really people, fascinate me to no end. Their stories seem to intertwine with mine as I see them, 'read' into them. The downcast glance of the subject here reflects a far away look, as if lost in thought or even flow. I go thru the motions on my walks underground, in the subway. As I write, or even photograph, I hear, feel things around me, but I erase my presence to try and capture my focus- the way a predator stalks its prey. I sense that same distant look- they're here, but not entirely, focus so deeply they might not notice someone saying their name right beside them.
Acquiring Arts
If creating helped the creative calm down, then other creations they appreciate serves the purpose of pleasure in their lives. In fact, many brilliant individuals keep the curious characteristic of holding interesting pastimes. The more notable, the more eccentric the hobby. A book by the name of Agent M describes a spymaster who's eccentricities include but do not stop amongst jazz and the exclusive vocation of raising wild animals.
At one point in time, he kept a bear in a London apartment.
To sum up, possessing art makes up the inclinations of many, not just artists themselves. Sure enough then, would a passion for prose and composition drive one to crime?
Investigating The Art of Art Heists
Out of curiosity, a few clicks and a web search led to a discussion of Dutch painting masters. Their style of portraiture brought their period alive even years after their making- what's not to be desired more for a creator?
Unthinkable that even the opportunity to behold such historical glory was robbed alongside the pieces of work themselves. At a museum not far from the author, a stunning thirteen pieces left the premises in 1990, not to be seen again.
What's more, ten million dollars still remains for the information leading to their return. Who better to step foot into a 33 year old cold case, than an aspiring photographer investigating art history for his own.
The work makes for an eerie black hole- one threatening to consume those willing to adventure too far. The pleasure offered from reach places never before seen- exploration and the journey trying those on the path- adventure felt like the picture of a lifetime.
Where Stolen Art Hides
The reason for why stolen art hides is simple. Without certificates of authentication and proper transaction records, the wealthy might acquire pieces stolen by those seeking the highest bidder. Once in their possession, pieces might not ever come to light by those aware of its missing status.
Furthermore, steeped in high luxury and scarcity, these various pieces fetch sums as handsome as the pieces themselves, if not more. Platforms today even try to pitch fractional ownership of the works as an investment.
Within a chaotic market environment and fears of steeper inflation, even the affluent have an appetite for risk.
Take this headline, for example.
Where exactly did this piece end up? How do the piece by late American painter Jackson Pollock, dedicated to late American actress Lauren Bacall for her birthday, come up among the items of this particular art-trafficking raid reported by Bulgarian news outlets? Who knows about that- and all of the other seemingly 'missing' pieces throughout time?
All that said, the details catch a wicked interesting shot.
This piece left an uncanny feeling you stared deep into a hole. An abyss Nietzsche might say, a black mirror, according to Netflix. The medium seemed polished enough to even reflect the image of anything close enough. The inky darkness threatened to pull one in, though, as his warning so eerily mentioned. Scared might not accurately describe the feeling. Unlike the piece above, without a human subject visible, introspection remained the only course. 'Who? What? Why?' Among the questions, 'how' puzzled the most. What was the piece supposed to convey?