March 5, 2002

· · ·  Respect At Socrates’ Feet

It really took me a while to feel like I was wanted there.

Amidst the scene of emotional chaos that takes part in Jacques-Louis David’s The Death of Socrates, I, the viewer, standing in front of the 51 x 77¼ inch canvas at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, felt unwanted. In the foreground, ten figures are present—and not one of them finds me important enough to pay attention to. Instead, everyone is in a state of turmoil. Socrates is about to commit suicide.

The size of a canvas as well as inherent idea that “Wow, David actually painted this exact one!” are two of the main factors that increased my experience as the viewer of the painting. Unlike looking at the work of art on a postcard—resized for postal convenience—the actual painting has the ability to emit the notion that I am there. In front of him. While it’s happening.

And that’s what makes it so special. The glaring sadness (and beauty) of Socrates’ death in front of my own eyes. The characters of the scene portray intense emotion toward their subject’s future, enough so that I, the bystander, am left alone to gaze around for myself. Only then did I notice something in the real thing that isn’t present in any postcard: There’s a guy—the one in the back, to the left, with his hand raised, looking toward me—who is telling me that it’s okay. It’s fine. That I should relax.

The fact is not that I’m unwanted. The fact is that I should pay my respect to Socrates at his feet, for I’m there in his last seconds. Simple.

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March 4, 2002

· · ·  Good Something To You

It's oh-so-ironic that I posted a picture of the view outside my window last week. Because I'm not there anymore.

Packed up and moved out to a room on the 16th floor—10 below the former. The view here would have been reminiscent of the one I had this summer had it not been for a few unfortunate hours. And those I'm still in the process of digesting.

It's still surreal.

Over spring break—that would be next week—expect a new version of this site. I'm not sure what it'll be called or how it'll look, but changes are in effect. This version has torched its name on five separate months, a feat unmatched since Version 1.0.

Three midterms in this upcoming week. More intriguing details of my young life. Etc, etc. Something like that. Coming soon, so stay tuned.

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