Rivington Street 

Vincent Giarrano painted this artwork, "Rivington Street". A heart is drawn onto the wall of a building, a ubiquitous symbol etched onto the gray wall, perhaps by a passerby in the throes of young love. The heart, an ancient symbol predating even written language, transcends mere anatomy. Across millennia, it has been associated with love, joy, and compassion. In ancient Egypt, the heart, or "ib," was believed to be the seat of emotion, the center of consciousness and morality. This recalls the Renaissance, when the heart motif became ever more intertwined with romantic love, as seen in countless works by artists like Raphael. Yet, such a universally recognized and seemingly simple image invites deeper reflection. Just as the caduceus—a symbol of commerce and negotiation—shares visual similarities with the staff of Hermes, the heart too has its shadow side. It can represent not only love but also vulnerability, pain, and loss. The heart's cyclical journey through human consciousness reveals its profound and enduring significance. The image resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts, reflecting the complexities of human emotion.