1996 Piece of artwork and your opinion

[Quasicrystal]

Before I post the pictures of the art that I am asking your opinion of I would like to give you a little background. This artwork was done by my brother in 1996 prior to 9/11. My brother was two years older then me and we were always close. He was always the big loving brother holding my hand and guiding me against anything that he thought would hurt me. He struggled through all of his teenage years with suicidal thoughts and I was always the go to person to calm him down. He used to tell me of his awful dreams and that sometimes he hated to go to sleep. He was well read and a very intelligent artistic person. My grandmother had his artwork from the age of 5 that had his signature on it so we always knew that he was going to be big in art. He did win New York state awards for art in high school and went to college and earned a degree. Unfortunately life became to much for him and he committed suicide in January of 2005. When we cleaned out his house we had tons of books and tons of artwork. He really was out there on the horror side of art and very graphic. So much so that some people felt uncomfortable trying to understand him. I guess it could seem odd but if you like horror be good at it. I was not so much into his art work and refused to watch any of the horror flicks that he would choose. Scary movies are not my thing. Me and my sister kept all his stuff but this one picture has baffled me. I keep it in my living room framed and periodically look at it and try to solve the riddle of what he was thinking or what he had read when he did this piece. Our family does not really put his artwork on display because of the possibility of someone using it with out our consent. I am sharing it on this site with the hopes that this courtesy will be retained and that those here will not use it without my consent. I thought it interesting after all these years of reading the little messages in this picture that I found your site due to words like wave, Lizzies, etc. There has always been something I could not put my finger on. Please take a look at the picture and give me your opinions or thoughts on what it would represent to you if you were trying to solve the riddle. I have also included pictures that zoom in on the words which with my limited reading makes me chuckle a little. I never really thought my brother had the strong guidance of someone who could help him with his thought process but I feel sure that he would have absorbed the information on this site like a sponge. If you don't have a thought just enjoy. I am proud of his artwork.

 

[Laura]

I don't think I would keep any of that art on my wall. After all, whatever was going on in his head that produced such art, drove him to kill himself.

 

[Chu]

I keep it in my living room framed and periodically look at it and try to solve the riddle of what he was thinking or what he had read when he did this piece.

Please take a look at the picture and give me your opinions or thoughts on what it would represent to you if you were trying to solve the riddle.

I think that it is impossible to solve such a riddle, because it is most likely a combination of many thoughts, texts, wounds, life experiences, etc. Perhaps all you can do is think of your brother as THE riddle, but not something to solve. And understand that art can say a lot about a person. It could have been his way of trying to make sense of the world, but not being strong enough or have had enough knowledge to really handle it. It looks like there are too many different themes, not integrated or assimilated in a way that would make him make sense of things. I wouldn't try and interpret a lot more than that, because you will never know whether that was truly it or not.

 

[Quasicrystal]

I think that it is impossible to solve such a riddle, because it is most likely a combination of many thoughts, texts, wounds, life experiences, etc. Perhaps all you can do is think of your brother as THE riddle, but not something to solve. And understand that art can say a lot about a person. It could have been his way of trying to make sense of the world, but not being strong enough or have had enough knowledge to really handle it. It looks like there are too many different themes, not integrated or assimilated in a way that would make him make sense of things. I wouldn't try and interpret a lot more than that, because you will never know whether that was truly it or not.

I like your opinion as I never really thought of it this way. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Quasicrystal]

I don't think I would keep any of that art on my wall. After all, whatever was going on in his head that produced such art, drove him to kill himself.

I appreciate the reply and I know that I won’t be following those footsteps. I always looked at the details and tried to figure out if he had a site and saw things. For example the two towers and one crashing I always attribute to 9/11 and trade centers. Thank you for your reply.

 

[angelburst29]

The art work has a very Gothic-medieval tone to it's base, along with emitting a strong negative resonance of primal energy. It has the "look and tone" of someone experiencing a very deep and sever depression - to the point - of losing conscious focus on the physical reality surrounding him (not being grounded in physical reality but immersed in "a dream world" where fantasy becomes the primary driving force of mixed and convoluted emotions).

The tall structure - direct center - made to resemble a building, is actually an imaginary dividing wall between two hemispheres of thought. The left represents the individuals inherent generational belief's and spiritual overtones (religious and social placement in society). The right side of the artwork represents "his fears and perception of the unknown" (his imaginary illusions of what might be lurking and hidden in the shadows.)

The background, with the white at the top, meeting a solid black boundary in the center and reinforced with a thick fortified wall of solid stone at it's base - suggests to me - that at the time he was involved in creating this artwork - he had completely shut himself off from the outside World and was living within his own "inner landscape" of fantasies. It was a dark - oppressive state of being - where he lost touch with reality. Eventually, it drove him to suicide.

I can understand - wanting to keep something of a dear loved one for sentimental reasons but in this case, you have chosen an artwork which represents "a very difficult and painful time in your Brother's life."

Me and my sister kept all his stuff but this one picture has baffled me. I keep it in my living room framed and periodically look at it and try to solve the riddle of what he was thinking or what he had read when he did this piece.

There might not be "a realistic answer" to what you perceive as a riddle, due to your Brother's state of mind, when he was creating this art piece? It may represent - when he mentally lost track of reality - all together but there is no real way of knowing that?

Instead of dwelling on a dark period in your Brother's life, why not "celebrate the memories" of the beautiful and happy times that you shared together and as a Family? I would remove the artwork from the wall and replace it with a large frame that contains a collage' of Family photos, in which you shared time together?

I would also like to express "Condolences" for the loss of your Brother. Celebrate his life - not his death and May He Rest In Peace.

 

[Quasicrystal]

The art work has a very Gothic-medieval tone to it's base, along with emitting a strong negative resonance of primal energy. It has the "look and tone" of someone experiencing a very deep and sever depression - to the point - of losing conscious focus on the physical reality surrounding him (not being grounded in physical reality but immersed in "a dream world" where fantasy becomes the primary driving force of mixed and convoluted emotions).

The tall structure - direct center - made to resemble a building, is actually an imaginary dividing wall between two hemispheres of thought. The left represents the individuals inherent generational belief's and spiritual overtones (religious and social placement in society). The right side of the artwork represents "his fears and perception of the unknown" (his imaginary illusions of what might be lurking and hidden in the shadows.)

The background, with the white at the top, meeting a solid black boundary in the center and reinforced with a thick fortified wall of solid stone at it's base - suggests to me - that at the time he was involved in creating this artwork - he had completely shut himself off from the outside World and was living within his own "inner landscape" of fantasies. It was a dark - oppressive state of being - where he lost touch with reality. Eventually, it drove him to suicide.

I can understand - wanting to keep something of a dear loved one for sentimental reasons but in this case, you have chosen an artwork which represents "a very difficult and painful time in your Brother's life."



There might not be "a realistic answer" to what you perceive as a riddle, due to your Brother's state of mind, when he was creating this art piece? It may represent - when he mentally lost track of reality - all together but there is no real way of knowing that?

Instead of dwelling on a dark period in your Brother's life, why not "celebrate the memories" of the beautiful and happy times that you shared together and as a Family? I would remove the artwork from the wall and replace it with a large frame that contains a collage' of Family photos, in which you shared time together?

I would also like to express "Condolences" for the loss of your Brother. Celebrate his life - not his death and May He Rest In Peace.

Thank you for your reply. He was always either very depressed or very happy and I have always believed that he was lost in some place that we could not reach him. It is a very hard situation to live through when you are trying so desperately to help someone with suicidal thoughts but I as I stated in his Eulogy you can not put a ball of happiness in someones heart no matter how hard you wish you could. I appreciate your breakdown because it makes me re-evaluate what I am holding on to and maybe I need to evaluate that. I really don't sit around being depressed about his depression and we do celebrate all the happy times. I appreciate your condolences as well. Again, thank you for your reply as all of the replies have given me a new outlook to think about and that is what I asked for.

 

[seek10]

I am not a art person, but the impression that gives me are:

2 towers - one with label 1914 collapsed. around 1914 is the time when federal reserve is created - its free paper printing, lending it to govt. and banks and charging interests etc. The entire credit system. They are Trade center towers and symbolic of financial system.

Walls - NYC lives in its bubble , probably every city but NYC financial center. generally, sensitives doesn't like crowds, cities etc. with its mindless consumption with buying things that one doesn't need with the money that doesn't have and spend the entire life to service the debts . Outsiders (Vegetarians and meat eaters) look to cities for their financial prospects.

dinosaurs and lizards: probably he is aware of the concept of hyper dimensional lizards or just beasts (aka dinosaurs)

Crucifixion: common man helplessly suffering

Fumes over the crosses: He meant mechanical suffering of the dwellers working in factory like settings?

"The last generation" : This is interesting. probably he has a feeling that "this system can't last for long" or may be he is picking some thing.
"T's is strange observational wave function" : "strange", "observation" make sense, given most are not observing the reality. Not sure of wave function. May be he is into physics.
"I' will be back" : savior-hood is the common theme across globe including Christianity.
"Mock king looking up on false sense of security" : Probably this a good summary.

one tower with 1914 falling and other one still standing makes me wonder he don't mean it be a prediction of 911 events. He is painting his observations of life in city w.r.t external world. Given that there are people like George Carlin who were warning for some time "How f***ked up the system is ", concepts are there in the air for some time.

 

[Quasicrystal]

I am not a art person, but the impression that gives me are:

2 towers - one with label 1914 collapsed. around 1914 is the time when federal reserve is created - its free paper printing, lending it to govt. and banks and charging interests etc. The entire credit system. They are Trade center towers and symbolic of financial system.

Walls - NYC lives in its bubble , probably every city but NYC financial center. generally, sensitives doesn't like crowds, cities etc. with its mindless consumption with buying things that one doesn't need with the money that doesn't have and spend the entire life to service the debts . Outsiders (Vegetarians and meat eaters) look to cities for their financial prospects.

dinosaurs and lizards: probably he is aware of the concept of hyper dimensional lizards or just beasts (aka dinosaurs)

Crucifixion: common man helplessly suffering

Fumes over the crosses: He meant mechanical suffering of the dwellers working in factory like settings?

"The last generation" : This is interesting. probably he has a feeling that "this system can't last for long" or may be he is picking some thing.
"T's is strange observational wave function" : "strange", "observation" make sense, given most are not observing the reality. Not sure of wave function. May be he is into physics.
"I' will be back" : savior-hood is the common theme across globe including Christianity.
"Mock king looking up on false sense of security" : Probably this a good summary.

one tower with 1914 falling and other one still standing makes me wonder he don't mean it be a prediction of 911 events. He is painting his observations of life in city w.r.t external world. Given that there are people like George Carlin who were warning for some time "How f***ked up the system is ", concepts are there in the air for some time.

These are the ideas that have always been in my brain when I look at the picture. You added some new information that maybe spot on. Thank you for your reply.

 

[loreta]

Surely your brother was a very sensitive man. Even if he painted a dark vision or some of his nightmares or his vision of the reality he was good, I like his dinosaurs, they are very well done. The colors also are mysterious, not bad at all. Strange pictures and very strong. Sorry for the sufferance of your brother, and yours trying to help him.

 

[goyacobol]

Quasicrystal,

I can see why you might have tried to honor your brother's memory by hanging this picture where you could maybe make some sense of his death. As Laura said it does also make you realize there must have been something in his mind that eventually drove him to suicide that may possibly be seen as the symbolism he was trying to convey in this painting.

I feel that his style, although dark and menacing in subject matter, it does have a sensitivity in the color and detail. Having that sensitivity may be what finally caused him to want to leave this world.

Looking at the crucifixion figures and the twin towers I can't help thinking he was seeing some connections to reptilians being part of the destruction of a "last generation". It also reminds me of biblical prophesies and I wonder how much that could have been an area of interest to him.

The U.S. Federal Reserve was established December 23, 1913 so I don't think he would have been so imprecise as to place "1914" in the painting of the exploding tower.

I could not think of what the "1914" might represent but when I did a search I noticed one possibility in Wikipdedia.

1914

1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar and a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar, the 1914th year of the Common Era(CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 914th year of the 2nd millennium, the 14th year of the 20th century, and the 5th year of the 1910s decade. As of the start of 1914, the Gregorian calendar was 13 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923. This year saw the beginning of what became known as World War I, after an heir to the Austrian throne was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. It also saw the first airline to provide scheduled regular commercial passenger services with heavier-than-air aircraft, with the St. Petersburg–Tampa Airboat Line.

This above is associated with the Roman systems of calendar designations for days and years which I found interesting. I really don't know if your brother studied such topics or not but it did catch my attention.

It is kind of uncanny and disturbing that there are two towers or skyscraper looking buildings in the painting so I again can see your thinking of 911 and how your brother may have had some precognition and even nightmares of the event. The main thing now I think is for you to try to find peace for yourself too. You may want to keep the painting in a safe and special space to remember him but seeing this painting everyday could also cause you to forget many of the positive and joyful events you shared with him.

Having lost two younger sisters I know you don't ever want to forget your brother and will think of him often. I try to remember many of the joyful times we had as a family. I hope for you too to find meaning and purpose for having had such a talented and sensitive brother and you can find some peace and understanding of why he left this world in an unexpectedly sad way.

 

[Laura]

The whole situation reminds me of the book "Operators and Things" - as though that world was being expressed in art.

 

[Alana]

I think that it is impossible to solve such a riddle, because it is most likely a combination of many thoughts, texts, wounds, life experiences, etc. Perhaps all you can do is think of your brother as THE riddle, but not something to solve. And understand that art can say a lot about a person. It could have been his way of trying to make sense of the world, but not being strong enough or have had enough knowledge to really handle it. It looks like there are too many different themes, not integrated or assimilated in a way that would make him make sense of things. I wouldn't try and interpret a lot more than that, because you will never know whether that was truly it or not.

I am in agreement with Chu here. Having been trained and worked as an art therapist, I can tell you that art creation is a very personal thing and trying to interpret somebody else's artwork is pure transference. We see through our own eyes and our own perceptions, and ascribe meanings and translate symbols based on our own stuff. Unless the creator is there to tell the story of his own creation, we will never know. Some members have given interpretations for the "1914" already, based on historical events, but we have no clue what 1914 as a number/year/whatever meant for the creator.

An example of what I mean above and I see quite often here on the forum: when people watch a movie and then post to say that said movie is a representation of what the C's have said, or it is riddled with Work-related esoteric meanings, etc. Truth is, the creators haven't read the C's transcripts or had any idea of Work concepts when they made the movie, but we tend to perceive from it things from ourselves, what we transfer from our own internal world into what we see. Like interpreting shapes on clouds or Rorschach's test in a way. What's that english saying? When the only tool one has is a hammer, everything he sees is a nail.

Quasicrystal, I can imagine it is very hard to lose a sibling under such tragic circumstances, and it is natural to want to understand the hows and whys. But in this situation, however, I would be in agreement with others, remember the good times with him, and let his soul rest in peace. Trying to understand his state of mind is futile I think (especially through one drawing that he created at a specific point in time many years back) and as Laura alluded to, can be dangerous too. Do read Operators and Things, when you get a chance, you will have a better understanding of what we mean.

 

[Approaching Infinity]

I think that it is impossible to solve such a riddle, because it is most likely a combination of many thoughts, texts, wounds, life experiences, etc. Perhaps all you can do is think of your brother as THE riddle, but not something to solve. And understand that art can say a lot about a person. It could have been his way of trying to make sense of the world, but not being strong enough or have had enough knowledge to really handle it. It looks like there are too many different themes, not integrated or assimilated in a way that would make him make sense of things. I wouldn't try and interpret a lot more than that, because you will never know whether that was truly it or not.

I had similar thoughts. The art depicts destruction and struggle, with the reptiles threatening to devour and shown in the image of rulers. But there is no higher, unifying factor, except perhaps the image of Christ. Sure, in Christianity, Christ defeats the demons, so there is an element of potential hope present by Christ's presence, but in the image as is, who will 'win' is an open question and the 'king' looks on at a 'false sense of security'. I.e., even Christ cannot win.

So the image looks disintegrative to me, but with no higher element showing integration or its possibility, as in a more traditional image of George and the dragon, for instance. All I can say is that it looks to me as the product of a soul in struggle, and the darkness is overwhelming.

 

[seek10]

I am in agreement with Chu here. Having been trained and worked as an art therapist, I can tell you that art creation is a very personal thing and trying to interpret somebody else's artwork is pure transference. We see through our own eyes and our own perceptions, and ascribe meanings and translate symbols based on our own stuff. Unless the creator is there to tell the story of his own creation, we will never know. Some members have given interpretations for the "1914" already, based on historical events, but we have no clue what 1914 as a number/year/whatever meant for the creator.

I agree that there is no exact interpretation we can derive. We can only guess, that is more of our own perceptions and meanings. The picture does give very pessimistic, gory feeling.