Numerical Affection 1982

Oleksandr Aksinin created this intriguing image with an arrow and hand gesture, among other elements. The arrow is an ancient symbol of direction, force, and even fate. We can see the arrow represented in the myth of Cupid, or Eros, who strikes people with arrows to make them fall in love. This arrow is not causing love but instead pointing toward an open palm. The open palm, or hand gesture, can be traced back to ancient protective symbols, like the Hand of Fatima, used across cultures as a defense against evil. However, here, in Aksinin's image, the arrow is headed toward the palm, piercing it. This could be a symbolic act of defiance or perhaps even vulnerability. The meaning has transformed over time, influenced by collective fears, hopes, and the subconscious need for protection. It is evocative, engaging us in a silent dialogue across time.