The Persistence of Memory

The Persistence of Memory is probably Salvador Dali's most well known work. Portrayed in a surrealistic style (a style in which fantastic visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the artwork logically comprehensible [definition from ARTCYCLOPEDIA]), it depicts melted clocks strewn across a landscape devoid of life.

What does it mean? The thing with surrealist art is that it is very rare that it's meaning be so obvious to the viewer. Of course, it's meaning should not be limited to the intent or motive of the artist. Indeed, such works may be subject to a multitude of different interpretations. For example, if I remember correctly, the original interpretation for this work is that it is meant to represent the world after all humans have ceased to exist...probably because we ended up annihilating each other due to our forgotten memories of past wars. The memories will still remain...even after we have all faded from existence.

This interpretation begs the question: Are memories still memories when there is no one around to remember it? This is similar to the old question that if a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? Something to think about...:-)

When I stare at this painting, I see something else than the original interpretation or motive behind it. I see the fragility and seeming lack of purpose and direction in our existence. For me, the melted clocks not only represent our fragile selves, but our fragile technologies as well...a pathetic attempt by an insignificant creature (well, compared to the almost infinite size and scope of the entire universe) to measure a concept so devoid of tangibility and corporeality that we can only refer to it by using another abstract...the sweeping of hands across a clock face strewn with numerals. Technology gives power. And power wielded without contemplation or introspection will lead to own demise...our own self destruction. Whether literal, as in our annihilation from this planet due to our nonsensical wars, fighting over politics or religion, or figurative...as we live our lives, day to day, existing, but not living. In other words, being dead from within. Probably a worse fate if you asked me.

Hmmm. Did I just make sense? Well, I hope you got it, because I'm not even sure if I got it myself...:-)