Bits & Pieces

Art in Motion

     Eyes on the ground, confined in my own mind, I walk like any other into yet another day filled with mundane accomplishments and tedious failures. Dreading the repetitive routine, I walk on past crowded cafes and empty bookshops. I walk past strangers with blank faces all protagonists of their own stories yet merely extras in mine. I walk on past rows upon rows of familiar picturesque buildings, until I glimpse something quite peculiar. I have taken this path many times before. I have committed every detail, every brick to memory. Yet out of the blue a mysterious tent stands tall and wide sticking out like a sore thumb. It is far too grand to be set up overnight and yet there it stands ominous and large as if challenging me. I step closer and begin to examine it further. Despite its grandness, it appears plain and unassuming. Its long flowing cloth stained a unique shade of grey and is adorned by nothing more than a white sign spelling the words, in a beautiful cursive grey, "Art in Motion". Filled with curiosity, I pull the soft cloth aside and enter.

     The moment the cloth seals behind me all outside noise fades away as if this enormous tent is completely soundproof. Upon first glance, the inside appears empty save for a couple of hanged colorless paintings and drawings. Perplexed and quite intrigued, I enter further. As I explore, what little there is to be found, I notice the air is filled, not only with the scent of charcoal but with a unique electrifying energy. An energy thats so galvanizing and mystical it's almost suffocating. In my attempt to find my way back to the entrance, a white mist seeps in obstructing my path. It swirls fluidly, magically encompassing everything around me and covering every surface in a sheet of glimmering white. Standing there mesmerized, in the midst of the suspended fog, I noticed something astounding. The mist parts, giving me a direct clear line of vision to each and every art displayed. Movement. I saw movement. Shaking my head in utter shock. Convincing myself that it was only my imagination or a trick of the, now noticing, nonexistent light. However, it was not. It is real. The dancers in the art are moving. Slowly. leisurely. As if awakening. Unbelievable.

     Stuck in a complete trance, spellbound, I remain unmoving. My eyes solely focused on the magic happening before me. The apparitions start to move faster, coming to life, to real tangible life. They float gracefully through the air like fairies. Flying and gliding around me like crystal snowflakes. They dance in complete unison captivating me. Leaping elegantly above my head enrapturing me. Every movement clear and precise. Every twirl transporting me deeper and deeper into this enchanting dream. Lulled to a false sense of security, the mist suddenly converts to a violent raging storm. It twists and encircles me, trapping me in a vicious whirlwind. The dancers became more forceful. Their movements filled with intensity and aggression. They fall out of sync, each one dancing with their own vehement emotions. The power, the chaos, the passion, the anger, the fear, the sadness, all wash over me, drowning me, leaving me gasping for air. The figures move faster and faster. Closing in on me with such speed and haste they become one entity. Panic and terror begin to overwhelm me but I cannot seem to get my feet to move. Not a single muscle in my body seems to respond to my pleas. Closing my eyes, I pray for a swift and painless end. Unexpectedly, the entity shrinks. It flutters by my left ear and whispers as if releasing its final breath, "LIVE".

     My eyes snap wide open the moment that whisper was released. Adjusting to my surroundings, I find myself standing on the sidewalk. The enigmatic tent nowhere in sight. Vanished from existence in such a way one would assume it never truly was there. Not a single evidence remains that can signify it was ever real. Nothing but the still lingering breath. It seeps down to my very core. Recalling the command, I shudder with the weight of it. Though it is merely a simple word, the value and load it carries are immense. I knew then and there exactly what it meant.

Don't just exist.

Don't just survive.

LIVE.