"Aquarium"

What is the appeal of enigmatic art?  Is it the images we see with the eyes, or the shades of meaning suggested by our own minds?  Whatever the draw, it is real.  At least for many of us.

Images that are not clearly defined are only one form of mysterious art.  The image above, for example, is layered with many possible meanings.  But another form, is the picture that seems to be simple, and unadorned with anything shadowing or mysterious.  In such "plain" images, we often find the greatest enigma of all.  A good example is the "ad" at the top of the page.  Very simple, and seemingly innocent.  But it carries a message, even a warning.

An example of such imagery used purely for fun is the picture, "Girl in a Room" (click on image to see the full sized version).  In this we see a young lady, simply drawn, holding two glasses.  granted the room is dark, and the whole scene is tilted.  Yet the image itself seems to be simple and straight forward enough.  But as many have learned, the mind offers many suggestions as the picture is considered.

Art critics and art appreciation courses will often dwell on the meanings of any image created by any artist.  But the special appeal of enigmatic art does not fade or swell with such interpretations.  We all know what we like, if if we don't always understand why.  Take the time to notice and appreciate all art.  And pay a little more attention to the deliberately mysterious.

How much of our idea of mystery is driven by the culture that feeds our thoughts?  Could our ideas of humor and horror be shaped more by what we watch on TV and at the cinema or by what we read than by what is really funny or frightening? 

Consider the next picture, "Harvey's Mystery," another computer graphic generated in my idle hours on the computer.  In this image, we see a part of a drama (click image for entire picture).  From the image, we cannot tell where Harvey is standing.  He might be at the door to a basement or a dark bedroom.  He might be at the opening to an abandoned building or even at the entrance to a tomb.  We don't know.

The image is very simple, not decorated with details at all.  And yet, depending on your frame of mind, it can arouse strong feelings of dread and/or curiosity.  Another example of how a very simple image can prove enigmatic and interesting. 

A child, seeing the picture, might begin asking questions.  "Who is that, Daddy"   "Where is he standing?"  "Is he afraid?"  As adults, we seldom ask such questions out loud when glancing at such a picture.  We tend to move on after a brief pause, if we even pause and look at it.  But our minds, on more than one level, are still asking the same questions.

Life itself is often just beyond the outer reaches of our comprehension.  Like the graphics included here, life is often simple enough in its parts:  The rent must be paid.  The land will not produce crops this year.  The people are bent on going to war.  The young woman does not want to remain with her husband.  The baby likes to run into the street.  The dog is bored to distraction by the small yard and the same routine from day to day.  The factory will close because no one is buying what it produces.

But the meaning in such simple parts, such ordinary, common facts, cannot always be so easily understood, without over-simplifying things.  Why are some things hard to prevent or alter?  Why do some things seem to happen, generation after generation, no matter how much we know and how much effort we put forth to make thing turn out differently?

In this way, art often speaks to us about our world.  In fact, art is always telling us something about the way we see life, and how we see circumstances (overwhelming or somehow manageable), and what we think is important or interesting, and what we think is funny, meaningless, or all powerful.

I like art that makes me ask questions.  I like things to be simple, and easy to grasp.  But I really enjoy a good mystery, as well.  I like to wonder about what is being said on the sly.

Jim Sutton