Flamingos in Flight 1931

Editor: We’re looking at "Flamingos in Flight" by Arman Manookian, painted in 1931 using oil paints. There's something very dreamlike about it, the way the birds sort of float against these muted pastel clouds. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: It feels almost like a faded memory, doesn't it? That hazy quality invites a sense of wistful longing. What fascinates me is how Manookian blends his clear appreciation of traditional romanticism with a sort of naive representation. Look how each panel of this tryptich, whilst a unique moment, merges so well with the others. Do you find the colours soothing or unsettling? Editor: Soothing, definitely. The blues and pinks are very calming. But it's also kind of strange how flat everything looks. There's no real sense of depth. Curator: Exactly! And that's where I find the real intrigue. He isn’t trying to give you photorealism. There’s an emotional truth he is after instead, don't you think? He gives you enough information – flamingos, clouds, movement – and then lets your imagination fill in the blanks. Makes me wonder what was going on in his life at the time. Editor: That's a good point. It does feel more like a feeling than a place. I had only focused on what he chose to include, rather than how the painting makes me feel, so that gives me a fresh point of view. Curator: Precisely! And isn't that often the case with art? It mirrors back our own longings and dreams, all bundled up with a splash of vibrant flamingo pink.