Art is very difficult to define and much less to appreciate on a general scale. To me, art is extremely personal and subjective. What one person would affirm is a masterpiece of art, another would scowl his or her face and say it’s a useless piece of trash.
I’ve been to art galleries and viewed paintings that could easily have been painted by a monkey or a restless cat. However, these same pictures were later sold for several hundreds dollars. I’ve said it earlier in my posts, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
During my recent journey to the University of Panama, I saw a sculpture of men and women who looked like inhabitants from Jupiter or Mars. I knew they were men and women, because the genitals were visible. For sure, the artist who came up with this sculpture was happy with his creation. For me it was a complete waste of time. Perhaps, these odd-looking creatures were students from a far away Galaxy involved in some kind of students’ exchange with planet Earth. Who knows?
The first photograph depicts a pleasing sculpture of a mermaid which I thought was pretty cool and acceptable for a Philistine like me. I can accept this kind of art without any problems. The other photographs is where my art appreciation problems begin. I left the scene with a sour taste in my mouth. I felt stupid and ignorant. I couldn’t help it.
I’ll speak no further. This is the contemporary art I saw at the entrance of the University of Panama. Here we go.
Photograph of a streamlined mermaid in the middle of a water fountain at the University of Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
A contemporary art sculpture consisting of three figures at the main entrance of the University of Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
A closer look at these strange figures looking like primitive natives or outer space travelers. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Another view of the three pieces of contemporary art with nice touches of early morning sunlight. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Every day is full of surprises. This encounter with art was one of them. By art I mean, the creation of beautiful or significant things. In this specific case, I have my reservations it was art. I could be completely wrong though. I know that. Good Day.
