Quotes about change are as plentiful as there are folk who fail to do so. Nonetheless, my favourite line on this subject is by the author Robert C. Gallagher: “Change is inevitable—except from a vending machine.”
As for me, there have been many incarnations and no doubt there will be others that will inevitably bewilder both me and those who orbit close by.
Recently, I was in London and found myself confronting an uncomfortable truth from my past that occurred more than a couple of decades ago in the wonderful city of Amsterdam.
I suspect that, back then, for a variety of competing reasons, I was tone deaf to many pursuits that fascinate me today: culture, travel, and art, to name just a handful. My visit to canal central with its heaving historic architecture and rich cultural scene was dominated by a couple of key activities: drinking and visiting the famed Red Light District. I enjoyed copious amounts of the former, and the latter was memorable for an unforgettable moment of people watching. Having passed several younger ladies touting their business from behind full-length glass windows, I had taken refuge in another waterside bar and became focused upon a mature woman behind her window. Guessing her age at around sixty, I was goggle-eyed when the curtain was closed and a chap was granted access via the adjacent door. A few minutes later the same lady appeared dressed in a track suit with the man in tow carrying two Lidl bags. The ordinary at the epicentre of the extraordinary.
For the life of me I cannot recall how I ended up at the Van Gogh Museum, although I can categorically confirm that I wasn’t under the influence of any stimulant. I’d heard of the guy that had famously cut off his own ear and this may have been a driving factor in my decision to check out this oddity. Other than that, I was disappointingly devoid of any additional knowledge about this Dutch master. As I trudged around the galleries I wasn’t impressed. The blobs and swirls looked childlike, and his sense of perspective was irritating. How could anyone get excited about this?
Fast forward to today and a visit to Van Gogh: the immersive experience (London) and my second engagement with the most fundamental element of art: enlightenment.
What followed was a remarkable and inspiring journey that beautifully fuses themes of mental health, humanity, and nature. This immersive exhibition not only showcases the brilliance of Van Gogh’s artistry, but also delves deep into the emotional and psychological struggles that shaped his work.
One of the most striking aspects of the experience is how it portrays the torment and inner turmoil that he faced. This personal depiction of suffering resonates deeply, offering a poignant reflection on the often hidden challenges of mental health.
A particularly memorable moment was the utterance of Van Gogh’s quote on ordinariness: “Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of his distressed life and art, emphasising the beauty and creativity that often arise from unconventional paths.
This encounter awakened me to the maestro’s legacy, providing a profound and thought-provoking exploration of his life and work.
As for his missing ear, if this piece has captured your imagination, then do your own investigation, or better still, gaze upon his work in his country of birth or at one of the virtual experiences.
In the meantime, I must thank Vincent for this most prophetic observation, that connects with the very essence of my continuing, and often confusing, personal change:
“Art is to console those who are broken by life.”
© Ian Kirke 2024 & all photographs
@ianjkirke