A Trip Through the Tate Modern: A Tribute to an Artistic Mentor, Mrs. Marko

What a pleasant surprise to discover that, on the very same day when Grishma and I had planned on visiting the Tate Modern, another highly esteemed colleague and artistic peer, Kieran, would be in town and eager to share this aesthetic journey! And so we embarked together into this world of artistic expression, setting sail with no premonition of where the waves would lead. As we drifted among the rooms and galleries I couldn’t help feel a profound connection with the tormented spirits which had poured their very souls into these masterpieces.

Take for instance, “Round Bar of Weed”:

Who can gaze upon this stack of colored bands resting precariously against the wall and not immediately realize they are in fact staring at a reflection of themself? Just as this bar leans precariously against the wall, only a slight nudge in either direction away from oblivion, so we at our most tenuous moments find ourselves teetering between suicide on one side and madness other, helplessly grasping for our sanity without any ledge or foothold to cling to.

Or how about this:

Who can gaze upon this piece of treated glass mounted upon the wall and not immediately realize they are in fact staring at a reflection of themself? And not self-consciously reflect that they are but a mere product of genetics and environment, that there is nothing about them which they can claim as their own, nothing that is not but a reflection of the physical realm which binds them?

So bold, so provocative is this politically charged piece which sends a terse message to our world leaders by clearly illustrating how shaky the foundation for their regimes truly is! The installation of a copy in every world and local capital would surely be a quick way to ensure efficient, effective, accountable political systems.

Upon catching sight of this next piece, Kieran broke into tears:

“This is me!” she choked out between sobs. “This is my apartment when I don’t do laundry!” Grishma and I respectfully paused and bowed our heads for a moment of silence as Kieran recovered her composure in what was truly a beautiful moment of self-confrontation and reconciliation.

It is this piece, however, which speaks most profoundly to the human condition:

Underneath the cocoon of social, political, professional facades behind which we hide our true selves, aren’t we all really just a misshapen piece of white paper stuck to a beige wall?