Obsessive Theme 

O. Louis Guglielmi’s “Obsessive Theme” presents a disquieting juxtaposition of leisure and suffering. At its upper reaches, we discern a figure on a cross, a clear allusion to Christian iconography. This symbol of crucifixion, traditionally representing sacrifice and redemption, is here unsettlingly paired with figures suggestive of modern leisure. This unexpected collision evokes the past and the present. We can see the motif of the cross re-emerging in disparate contexts, from ancient Roman crucifixions to its adoption as a symbol of divine suffering in Christianity, and now here, transformed in the context of modernity. It is impossible to overlook its emotional power, as its form remains fixed in our cultural memory and subconscious, engaging viewers on a deep level. This prompts us to confront the cyclical nature of history, where ancient symbols resurface, evolving and taking on new meanings in the modern era.