Love
That’s the first thing I think of when I see this. It makes me sad. Unfortunately, I think this thought resonates with a lot of people. Most of all, I feel grateful. I am grateful I don’t see myself.
The caged bodies trap the souls of these people, a childlike spirit. The amount of times I’ve witnessed this body language- whether in real life or in movies- puts me in awe. It’s too common of a scene. The two wire framed figures appear to be a man and a woman. The left character has sunk their head into one hand. The right character is entirely folded over, sinking her face into her arms. I can’t imagine the exchange of words before this scene. Truly, I think we all can- word for word. These people could have marital struggles, infertility issues, personal health concerns, lost a loved one, lost a child. They are disconnected. The children inside them seem to be surviving the trials of adulthood. Inside, these people still seek connection.
I think the personification of their souls as children says a lot about what it means to no longer be a child. Is it that our childhood self should be valued the most? Protected at all cost? Or analyzed the most in therapy? Does the contradiction between caged adults and glowing children imply that there’s a trap waiting for us? I feel like now that I see this and contemplate the various relationships I’ve seen, I want an answer. How do I avoid this? An even more eluding question: How do we reconnect if we realize we have become these people? I want to believe it is possible and accessible. But it is hard. It must be. I know because I see so many adults who haven’t found the answer.
Burning Man: Carnival of Mirrors
In 2015, this installation caught the attention of over 67,000 people.¹ Love is the creation of Ukrainian sculptor Alexander Milov. It was on display at the 2015 Burning Man Festival.² The festival's theme was Carnival of Mirrors. I had no idea that Burning Man was mainly for art. The festival has its own grant, which funds these art projects (Chase, Will, et al). While I think the theme of the 2015 festival allowed for a lot of creativity, I think Milov’s Love could’ve been presented at a number of festivals. In other words, his work is surely universally appreciated. Since 2018, the sculpture has been made home in Odessa, a city of Ukraine.³
¹ Chase, Will, et al. “1986.” Burning Man, 2021, burningman.org/timeline.
² “Artist Captivates Thousands With Powerful Sculpture 'Love' at Burning Man 2015.” Buzzworthy, 25 Sept. 2015, www.buzzworthy.com/artist-captivates-thousands-with-powerful-sculpture-love-at-burning-man-2015/.
³ “Sculpture LOVE of Alexander Milov Is Installed in Odessa.” Special Ukraine and Kiev Tours with Experienced Kiev Tour Guide, 2020, ukraine-kiev-tour.com/2018/odessa-sculpture-love-alexander-milov.html#:~:text=Sculpture%20LOVE%20of%20Al