ENCHANTING GOLDEN INTERACTION

The following golden, most rememberable conversation took place.

Artist: “Does the work provoke any memories?”
Older Lady: “This man who painted this lot of water, hasn’t achieved anything worthwhile in his life.”
Artist: “What do you mean?”
Older Lady: ” This man is afraid of taking chances. The painter has a problem with bridges.”

To tell the truth, I was dumbfounded. But before I could think of something intelligently to say, she continued:” This man has serious psychological problems.”

Artist: “But painting Venice, is mostly about water and bridges and the vaporetti and canals and….”

The older lady was now on the runway. I was more confused than ever. I looked at her younger companion, furthest from me, for some guidance. She just shrugged and avoided eye contact. Even though this was not the place nor my intention to embarrass the older lady, I said: “You know there is more than one way to look upon these artworks.”

I was pointing towards an artwork of an old English cottage covered by autumn leaves of a creeper, reflecting in the water.

“The bridge’s reflection in the blue water and the autumn color inspired me” I explained. Stressing the word “me”, I still tried not to embarrass her, so that she could understand that “this man” is actually a woman.

The older lady, not quite listening to my carefully chosen words said: “This man should learn how to overcome problems.”

I knew that this conversation would be remembered as a golden interaction between me, the artist, and the viewer. If she’d known me, she would realize that if ever I come across a problem, I would surely tell myself: ‘build a bridge an overcome your problems’.