When I first went to Concerto, I did not know what I was about to behold, or to be more accurate what I was not going to be able to see.
I entered the space and saw mini flashlights that can be described as circular and small, and reminiscent of keychain souvenir. There was a heavy drape that separated the experience from the world, and I was about to enter the space behind the curtain. I was about to find what was next, after pulling back the veil--- true of this moment, and true upon my passing. I pulled the curtain back and beheld nothing but the absence of light. The room was empty, and full of black. It was cool, and surprising, but also like damn--- where has destiny taken me today and how do I navigate what I did not expect especially when I cannot see? Ah, I remembered, my flashlight would give me light, and my sheer tenacity would guide me across the unknown, as it had yesterday, last year and the year before, and hopefully in new adversities in future days both near and not.
It took me a minute to understand what Concerto in Black and Blue was--- a quasi-maze that one must navigate to find the way out. The unique twists were that this gallery was completely dark and rooms looked the same, including the doors. Please do not imagine that the rooms were endless or confusing (like in a video game) or that the maze was mythical with a Minatour-cetner, or on second thought do. Who I may to limit the imagination of another?
It took me a while to figure out my flashlight. I could not with it, I could not find the correct button, toggle or click so I decided that my flashlight was defective. I went to get a new one. This one was broken too. Then I focused on the fix. I played with the flashlight and found a button in the center that gave light. But now I had two flashlights, one for each hand. Somehow the duo made me feel more comfortable, when I faced the steepest of darkness, I would light on light to squelch the still shadows. I also reprimanded myself for being the type of person that cannot use a can opener, by immediate instinct, and thus convinces themselves there is a mistake to repair and thus I call my mom or another supporter to offer support. I need to be more mindful on solutions that come from me and another second.
As I walked across the rooms, I saw much. Like one of my lights passed something hung on the wall. What is this? How will the artist enhance the absence in the rooms with scarce hung art? I passed it and shun a light. It was a fire extinguisher. I tried to force meaning to it, but it did not work. It was just a necessity in the space, and I could not make it have meaning. Then my anxiety crept up, hard. I was at peace being alone in the dark. It just worked out that way--- destiny allowed me to be in the space by myself, aloneness in the space was not a guarantee. I imagined ghosts and spirits afoot. I used my light to find them. I could not. I looked at the ceiling, pipes, and wood, like a polished factory. I felt a demon watching, and I tried to spot it, I could not. Why was I afraid of the dark? If demons, ghosts, or specters were waiting for me would they need the darkness to make their presence known--- if they embraced the classics they would. But, if they were truly around me, why would they not just need let themselves be known? I looked around again, the room, the ceiling, wanting to catch the monsters in the gallery, taking a vacation from their usual dwellings. I needed to leave. I got too anxious. But I remained calm, I did not call a guard. I knew that was an option, and I could see how someone would, if their anxiety was deepen than mine. But I took a breathe and looked for an exit. I found myself back in the drapes. The first guard told me that the goal was to exit from the other door so I went back in. This time other people were around which made me feel a bit of calm, until I imagined them be kidnappers, or zombies, out to get me, in this maze that was completely dark. I gave them light, and they looked like people, and if they wanted to do me harm, I guess I had found myself in the right place and time for them. I found a door. It was marked exit. I walked through it, but it was the emergency exit for the building, not for the experience. I continued walking, slowly, not running from a craze dog, and then I found an exit side in red. I walked to it, and it was the appropriate exit. I had found my way out.
I am grateful that I stumbled upon this place. read more