Three Letter Words; Ask 

Jason Limon's "Three Letter Words; Ask" presents us with a peculiar oracle, a playful yet macabre take on divination. Dominating the scene is the Magic 8-Ball, an icon of pop-spiritualism promising answers, surrounded by symbols both inviting and ominous. Note the skeleton pierced by an arrow, bearing a "DOOM" banner, juxtaposed with a charming heart shape. Such symbols remind us of the medieval "memento mori"—objects designed to remind us of our mortality—often appearing in vanitas paintings to remind viewers of the transience of earthly pleasures. The heart, pierced or otherwise, recurs throughout art history as a symbol of love and pain, mirroring the complex human condition. Limon cleverly updates these ancient motifs, imbuing them with a contemporary, cartoonish twist that speaks to our ongoing fascination with fate and the unknown. These symbols, deeply rooted in our collective unconscious, provoke a powerful emotional response, reminding us of the eternal dance between life, death, and the search for meaning.