by Ambar Rivera Correa
In life, lies and truths live on the same earth. They push and pull each other like the ocean waves extend and retract along the beachside. The truth is threatening and tyrannical in nature; if it helps, imagine the truth like a pure source of light. It is hard, if not impossible, to stare straight at it, and is only appreciated in reflections and refractions of all organic and inorganic creatures on earth. The truth, the very precise and accurate truth, serves as a guide for all things living, and is a constant that never falters. Deceit is also threatening, but weak and unassuming; if it helps, imagine the lie like a shadow cast by the truth. It is easy on the eyes, soft and undefined, and disappears when there is no truth to hide behind. A lie cannot exist without the existence of truth.
In the same way, it is impossible to know a full lie or full truth; staring straight at the sun would burn your eyes out. Likewise, living in pure darkness would not allow you the perspective you need in order to thrive. Interpretations are to be made in order to digest the truth. Sometimes, however, there are malicious creatures that wish to blind others, not with the truth, but with deceit. It leads to a different kind of blindness, one that can be cured by providing the light of truth. Turmoil brings about the dissolution of perspective. It becomes difficult to discern fiction from reality.
To interpret the light does not mean that you are creating deception. Simply, you are bringing to life a fantasy, offering an alternate perspective. To perceive red, green, and blue bands across the sky with sons and daughters of secondary and tertiary colors would not be deceitful. Instead, this offers more detail to what was previously not visible. From far enough away, it would only be true to call it a large streak of white in the sky. However, is that relatable? Is that true to the nature of humanity? I am afraid not, for we were gifted with the blessing of sentience, and with sentience comes interpretation.
Interpretation is humanity’s sentience returning to nature’s roots. It brings forth new facets, new conflicts, new technology, even new people. Interpretation is perspective, and it breeds life, for as long as humanity lives on. For this reason, art will never cease to be alive: it is riddled with interpretation, the perspective of sentience; infested with experience, the relevance of the individual and the world around them, and pulsing with the pushes and pulls of lies and truths. And these things are disgusting, such as the rise of maggots, flies, and worms upon decomposing matter. But also are they beautiful, like the rise of mycelium, saplings, and newfound wildlife grazing upon which has grown. In life, lies and truths sustain all. Lies keep the wildlife fed, the ecosystem developing, and humans comforted. Truth helps keep said wildlife alert, ecosystem evolving, and humans conscious of our choices. It is a delicate balance that must never be intruded upon. It is a process that cannot be impeded. It is part of life as we know it. It may be upsetting, but as always, the qualms of “politics” and “social media” and “artists” may elude one’s questions, facts, or answers. However, they are a part of the thriving ecosystem that is the interpretations of humans. How delicate, comfortable, and uncomfortable that is is another matter, isn’t it?
Leonardo Magazine 