Flying

Art, in its purest form, is a bridge between the inner and outer worlds, a breath the soul exhales to touch the world. There is, however, a type of work that doesn't just paint a bridge, but becomes the bridge itself—an arch stretched between the visible and the invisible, between flesh and spirit. This piece, created with the tactile sensitivity of pastel, is one of those. It's not a mere representation but a map, an emotional geography that invites us on a deep journey where the beat of a heart and the flight of a bird meet and merge into a single, powerful metaphor.

The Visual Metaphor: Heart and Flight, a Single Essence

At first glance, the eye is caught by the dichotomy, the juxtaposition of two seemingly separate elements: an anatomical heart and a bird in flight. Yet, a closer look reveals a subtle but unbreakable connection. The curved lines that wrap around both elements are not simple ornaments but true flows of energy, invisible currents that link the inner world to the outer. They trace a movement, an upward spiral that starts from the center of the heart and spreads upward, guiding the gaze and thought toward the bird. This isn't a bird flying away but an emanation, an extension of the heart itself, its visible freedom.

The Pastel Technique: Dreaminess and Raw Reality

The pastel, with its grainy texture and ability to blend, gives the work an almost dreamlike quality, a delicacy that contrasts with the raw anatomical reality of the heart. The shades of gray are not a limitation but a powerful stylistic choice. The absence of color allows focus on form, on the contrast between light and shadow, on volume and detail. The eye is free to perceive the heart's complexity, its network of vessels, its chambers, like a sculpture in black and white. It is an invitation to look beyond the surface, to move past color as a distraction to grasp the essence of the form and its symbolic meaning. The bold stroke with which the bird is outlined, in contrast to the heart's softness, accentuates its dynamism, its escape from confinement.

The Hidden Message: Anatomy as a Source of Power

But the innovation of this work lies not only in its technique or composition but in its message. Traditionally, the heart is associated with love, passion, and life itself. And, in the common imagination, it's often depicted as a stylized symbol, an icon. Here, instead, we are faced with a real heart, a pulsating organ, a muscle that never stops working. It's a reminder that love, emotions, and life itself are not ethereal concepts but have a physical basis, an anchor in the flesh. Passions are not abstract; they are the result of a complex biological system that makes us human. This anatomical heart, with all its imperfections and complexity, is the home, the engine of everything we feel.

And the bird? The bird is thought, inspiration, hope, and freedom. It is what the heart, with all its work, releases into the world. It is not just any bird but an entity that seems to emerge from the same life force as the heart, a projection of its deepest desire. Its flight is not an escape but an expression. It is the courage to let go, to be exposed, to take a risk. It's proof that even if the heart is confined in the chest, its spirit can fly free. The two small dark smudges in the top left, almost imperceptible, could be interpreted as other birds, or perhaps as an echo of the first flight, a trail the soul leaves in the sky, a testament to its passage and evolution. It's further confirmation that freedom is a dynamic concept, in continuous expansion.

A Dialogue Between the Inner and Outer Self

This painting is a constant dialogue between the inner and outer self. It asks us, "What does your heart release? What is your flight?" It invites us to reflect on the weight of our emotions, on the power of our resilience. The heart, despite its scars (imagined or real), continues to pulse, to sustain life. And in this incessant pulsing, it finds the strength to release something sublime, something that rises above matter. Its anatomy is not a limit but a source of power. Every blood vessel, every artery, every vein is a channel through which life energy flows, nourishing not only the body but also the soul, allowing it to take flight.

The direct and tactile nature of the pastel stroke makes the work extremely personal. It's as if the artist touched the heart and the bird, leaving an imprint of their own energy on them. This is not a cold and detached drawing but an intimate testimony of an inner process. Art is not just what you see but also what you feel. And in this case, you feel the weight, the strength, the desire, and the lightness. You feel the contrast between being rooted in physical reality and the aspiration for something greater.

Freeing the Heart: A Manifesto Against Stagnation

The work can also be read as a manifesto against emotional stagnation. Many of us tend to keep our hearts "chained," to stifle our desires out of fear, convention, or insecurity. This drawing suggests that the true purpose of the heart is not just to beat but to release. The true purpose of life is not just to exist but to fly. It's an encouragement to break the invisible chains that bind us, to allow our passions and dreams to take flight, to become visible, to leave a mark on the world.

In an era dominated by the digital and the abstract, a work like this brings us back to the concreteness of our existence. It reminds us that we are made of flesh and bone, but within us lies a universe of possibilities. It is a work that speaks to everyone because all of us, in one way or another, feel the desire to let our hearts fly, to free that part of ourselves that aspires to be bigger, freer, more authentic.

This is not just a painting but a mirror. Looking at it, we see not only a heart and a bird but a reflection of our hopes, our fears, and our most daring dreams. And perhaps, just like the pastel bird, we can find the strength to open up, to let our hearts show themselves in all their complex and beautiful anatomy, and for their flight to inspire others as well.

 Per l’ elaborazione di parti del contenuto è stato utilizzato l’ ausilio dell’IA Gemini.

Luca.