Tenere 2022

Editor: Timur Akhriev's "Tenere," created in 2022 using acrylics, is captivating. The figure cradling what seems to be a radiant orb gives off such an ethereal, almost mystical vibe. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The glowing orb immediately recalls imagery of the sun, doesn’t it? In many cultures, the sun is associated with life, energy, and enlightenment. But notice how it’s being held, protected almost. Is it a source of power to be guarded, or perhaps something fragile that needs nurturing? The dark background speckled with starlight also evokes the cosmos, that vast unknown we've always tried to map through stories and symbols. Editor: I didn't consider the act of holding the sphere. It feels quite deliberate now that you point it out. The artist’s choice of colors – warm tones against that deep blue – it's so striking. Curator: Precisely. The color contrast heightens the emotional impact, doesn't it? Red has often symbolized passion or sacrifice, while the blue evokes both tranquility and mystery. The surrounding foliage suggests a natural, almost Edenic setting. How do all these visual cues intertwine? Editor: Maybe the painting is about humanity’s relationship with knowledge or perhaps creativity, suggesting both its immense potential and the responsibility that comes with it. Curator: An interesting thought! The vulnerability of the figure juxtaposed with the brilliant sphere sparks all sorts of intriguing possibilities. It’s the symbolic ambiguity that invites continued reflection. Editor: This really shed a different light on the painting, especially thinking about the iconographic nature of the sun and its relation to the figure holding the sphere. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Visual symbols really enrich our reading of the artwork!