Claudio Parentela and Thomas R. write about...

Angoscia

Our suggested title to “Art 855” in issue 129 seems to have struck a chord. Thomas R.’s message qualifies as a Challenge response. Meanwhile, Claudio Parentela writes:

Hello & a wonderful new year for you... all my compliments for your italian... & thanx for the message. I'm very glad to be with you really...

a big hug

Claudio Parentela

Blush... all I said was “thank you very much for the drawings.” My Italian is a minute fraction of what it used to be, but I’m still pretty good with a dictionary.

Thomas R. takes us up on the ongoing challenge in Claudio’s art series: to find titles and perhaps interpretations or even stories for the drawings. For “Angoscia” Thomas R. proposes “Grieving,” which is a good translation, all things considered.

Interpretation: Two sisters grieve some massive loss. Possibly the tsunami, possibly war, etc. The older sister is tough and complex. She has three sets of eyes for three personas: Comforting sister, suffering human being, and a protective quasi-masculine persona. (The cigar, the tie, etc) The other sister is younger and more sensitive. She just kind of falls apart in the other's arms. The birds overhead continue unaware, almost happy looking even. They're above whatever is happening, but perhaps signal some hope by that.

However I see a strong possibility the two women are not sisters but lovers. Or even that the older "sister" is a man. Interestingly most of the interpretation remains the same even with those changes. Except instead of "comforting sister" the figure becomes a consoling lover or husband.

Thomas R.

Thanks, Tom! That’s a very perceptive appreciation, all right. I hope you’ll inspire other readers to pitch in. There’s plenty of opportunity: Claudio’s art series began in issue 123.

Return to top