Ciel en circuit fermé 

Here, in this work by Pierre Alechinsky, we see a cosmos contained within a square—a closed sky of vibrant blue, populated by floating figures and encircled by a thick, ringed border. The circle dominates, a universal symbol of wholeness and eternity, reminiscent of ancient mandalas or alchemical diagrams. Think of its recurring presence from the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, to the halos in Renaissance paintings. Yet here, the circle appears almost forceful, a barrier perhaps, or a lens focusing our gaze on the enigmatic forms within. These figures—part human, part animal, part plant—recall the grotesque imagery of Bosch or the dreamscapes of Surrealism. Such imagery taps into a primal, collective memory, evoking feelings of unease, curiosity, and a search for meaning. The recurring motifs suggest a cyclical view of existence, where symbols are not fixed but rather fluid, continuously transforming, reflecting our ever-evolving understanding of ourselves and the world.