The Consolation of Art - Yoon Seong Hui/The Big Fish



The age of scarcity is over, and the age of abundance is beckoning. The world is full of information and constant stimulation. There's a lot to do in front of me right now. I want to get as much done as possible in a short amount of time, because the day is too short. I want to get as much done as I can in a short amount of time, because the day is too short. I'm exhausted and need something to comfort me. It's the same reason why I don't go to sleep until the wee hours of the morning. It's the only time I can clear my mind and focus on myself.


Art museums are a great place to clear your head. When you're in a quiet space, staring at the artwork, you can't think of anything else. It's similar to when you stare at the sunlight sparkling on a river. You clear your head. All distractions disappear. You're just looking at the artwork in front of you with an intuitive gaze. You're not thinking about the meaning or message of the painting. And it's relaxing. It doesn't matter how long you look at it, it doesn't matter how long you look at it, it doesn't matter how impatient you are, it's just relaxing. Just taking in the beauty of the painting itself is soothing.


Sometimes I wonder about the meaning of a painting. Why did this artist paint this, what is he trying to say, what is he trying to say?” When I do, I go back to the previous chapter. The kind curator will answer the question. Then I realize that they were just like me after all. Even people who have made a name for themselves in the world are similar to me in the direction of their lives. Just knowing that fact gives me great comfort. The thoughts that make us suffer, “Why am I the only one who suffers,” or “Why do I have to live like this,” are meaningless. The phrase “only me” disappears. Everyone is the same. Now I have a little more weight off my mind.


It's a small art museum in the palm of your hand that you can flip through one by one while lying in bed. If you don't like complexity, just look at the pictures. Just looking at the pretty pictures brings warmth to my eyes. If you want to see that everyone is living similarly to you, listen to the stories. You'll hear about people who have made a name for themselves, or people who are just sleeping in the corner of the room. When I go to an art museum, no one dictates the order in which I see the paintings. They don't limit me to only certain pieces. It's the same thing. You can flip where you want to flip, look where you want to look. Empty your mind. Let's focus on our intuition, and that's how we can relax.

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