I just wanted to take the time to express my gratitude to the kind gentleman who bought my artwork and to everyone who supported me while I created it. It was sold last week at The Ledge Gallery (Level 3), One Utama, for RM500. The painting will be exhibited until March 17th. Special thanks to my teachers at Wondrous Art Studio – Teacher Ying Ying, Wenhan and Meera. They’re the best.
(Hi, I’m Aditya Navin, and this is an excerpt from The Doodler, an art magazine of which I am the head and the editor-in-chief. This is an article written by me.)
Love. All humans crave it. It exceeds the borders of culture, and language, manifesting in countless forms yet remaining understood. Yet few paintings have managed to capture this fundamental human emotion as magnificently as Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss.
The Kiss is widely recognized as one of the greatest paintings of all time. Critics often regard it as the “magnum opus” of Klimt’s oeuvre. Rendered in oil on canvas with gold, silver, and platinum leaf, the painting depicts a couple closely bound in an embrace. Richly decorated robes, flowers in their hair, a woman’s eyes closed in delighted bliss – Klimt’s painting seems to be the very epicentre of intimacy. In the painting, the man is bending down, tenderly holding the woman’s face as he kisses her cheek. The woman, kneeling, tilts her head back, eyes closed, portraying serenity and even surrender. Their physical forms are subtly suggested rather than explicitly detailed, giving the impression that they are fused with their surroundings.
In terms of form and style, The Kiss is similar to a collage. Klimt is known as an innovator who used a variety of materials and styles in his work – in The Kiss, there is an extensive use of gold leaf. The Kiss was painted during Klimt’s “Gold Period”, where he heavily incorporated gold leaf into his works. Klimt’s father was a goldsmith, and the use of gold leaf contributed to his familiarity and appreciation for the material. Klimt also used silver and platinum leaf. These lavish materials were used to endow the subjects with a divine quality. Klimt primarily used oil paints in his paintings, and The Kiss is no different.
While The Kiss does not explicitly depict a myth, it can be interpreted as an allegory for the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus, a gifted musician and poet, falls deeply in love with Eurydice. After their marriage, she is tragically bitten by a snake and dies. Heartbroken, Orpheus journeys to the Underworld, where his music moves Hades and Persephone to grant Eurydice’s return under one condition: Orpheus must not look back at her until they have both exited the Underworld. However, overcome with doubt and longing as they near the surface, he turns to look, breaking the pact. Eurydice is pulled back into the Underworld forever, leaving Orpheus devastated.
At first sight, I thought the woman was in joy, smiling in this euphoric moment. But upon closer inspection, I noticed she had a rather blank expression, similar to an unconscious person. There is something dominant about the male figure in The Kiss—he seems almost subduing and overwhelming. There is a certain power in the way he clasps his hands around her neck and body. On the contrary, the woman seems pitiful, even powerless. However, the most defining feature of the struggle between the man and the woman is how the woman holds the man’s hand. Is she holding his hand, or trying to push it away?
But remember, interpretation is optional, not required, for the audience. Sometimes the best appreciation of art is simply not to think too hard about what something means. It’s often best to stick with the observable, like the environment the gilding brings to life around the lovers. And remember that many artists get a real kick out of the over-the-top interpretations others project onto their work. We at The Doodler believe that sometimes, the best art shouldn’t be interpreted – it should be felt, seen and heard.
Maybe that’s what this piece is supposed to be. Simply appreciation of love.
Boy, oh, boy. What a month it has BEEN! May this year have been an amazing month (it may be too soon to say, but it “may” be the best month of the year!) (Bad pun intended.)
My birthday was on the 31st, and I received a Huion graphics tablet from my dad (he knows I love art!), some alcohol markers and a sketchbook (my favorite art supplies now) and a speaker from my grandpa.
I had a birthday celebration on the 2nd of June, where I had lunch with my friends at TGI Fridays and had some fun at an escape room called Spy Game at the Curve.
We also had Mother’s Day. I love my mom more than anything else in the world. She has always been my rock, my confidant, and my biggest supporter. Her unwavering love and endless sacrifices have shaped me into the person (or boy) I am today.
And, my grandma’s birthday was this month too! I can’t begin to express how much I love her. She has always been a beacon of warmth and kindness in my life. Her wisdom, patience, and unconditional love have shaped me in more ways than I can count. Whether she’s sharing stories from her past, teaching me her secret recipes, or simply offering a comforting hug, my grandma’s presence is a constant source of joy and comfort.
I also started writing my new novel, which I am super excited for!
And here’s a sneak peek for a little project I’m working on:
Thanks for reading, I’ll see y’all in the next post!
These were some photos I snapped while I was at SEA Aquarium in Singapore. The fish looked cool (the lionfish especially, with its distinctive maroon and white stripes), but I fell in love with the jellyfish — majestic is the word I would use — or elegant.
Hey everybody – it’s been a while, huh?
I know that 90% of my old readers have most likely abandoned this blog, sure that I will never post again. But (hopefully) there might be a small portion of people – who are still holding on to their lingering hope that I will post again. Honestly, I stopped posting because I was dealing with a lot of things and wanted to focus on certain things more. But I eventually missed the satisfaction of blogging and sharing what I was doing with the world. So, I’ve decided to start posting again.
My plan for this blog is to upload as much as I can – though knowing me, it probably won’t be on a schedule. I plan to upload more photos, as I’ve recently been interested in photography. And shorter posts – less words. Because sometimes we just need to take in the beauty of the little things. That’ll be all for now – and I can’t wait to share with you my new photos.
Adios,
Adi 🙂
WHY WORRY ABOUT VIRUSES LIKE COVID WHEN OBVIOUS-ITIS IS HERE?
I’ve encountered airline snacks boldly advising, “Consume contents after opening.” I always look around to check if fellow passengers are munching on unopened packets, though I’ve yet to witness such comical acts. Then there’s the esteemed Cosmo Xmas Gift Guide, suggesting we gift our pals doorstops because “almost everyone has doors.” I presume the inclusion of “almost” is for readers pondering gifts for undiscovered Stone Age tribespeople.
The epidemic of obvious-itis has infiltrated the realms of journalism, evident in an aviation report stating, “The crash occurred when the plane hit the ground.” Shocking revelation. And let’s not forget the headline that boldly proclaimed, “Death is nation’s top killer.” Groundbreaking journalism, indeed.
But perhaps the pièce de résistance of stating-the-obvious-itis is a party tips book by Pippa Middleton, distant royal kin. “Flowers are a traditional Valentine’s token, and red roses are the classic symbol of romance,” she imparts. “It’s basically advice for people who are at that stage after a serious brain injury where they know how to walk and talk again but can’t remember how to do normal, everyday things,” one reviewer wrote. The internet responded with a plethora of Pippa-style “pro tips,” like: 1) “You can extract refreshing and nutritious orange juice from oranges.” Mind-blowing, right? 2) “Save time by doing things more quickly.” Eureka! 3) “Taming unruly hair is best achieved with a haircut.” Astounding!
Restaurants have also fallen victim to this affliction, with waitstaff now theatrically inquiring about my empty plate as if I might’ve hidden a second dinner. No, dear waiter, I haven’t finished; I’m planning to consume the plate next.
Those affected by obvious-itis likely take “Top Tips,” the marvelously dysfunctional advice column from Viz magazine, at face value. Case in point: “Save money on personalized car plates by changing your name to match your existing plate: Mr. KVL 741Y.” Genius. Absolute genius.
As I entered my friend’s house for their birthday, a thunderstorm soaked me to the bone. “Is it raining outside?” No, it’s just my new fashion statement—a soggy suit. Alas, even the wittiest among us can slip up. An online user once shared how she was pulled over by the police on the highway. “Is this your car?” asked an officer. Deadpan, she replied, “No, I stole it.” It took her an hour to convince them she was joking. Hence, a fresh pro tip in the style of Pippa: “When detained by police, refrain from confessing to major crimes you haven’t committed.”
ADITYA NAVIN 