Perspective 11

Back loop designed mask

Autumn is the ultimate back loop design. Decay, collapse, return. When we think about collapse, a feeling of resistance, fear, and panic can surge. Yet when taking an investigative look at the design elements of Fall, it is utterly ravishing. It operates in a chiral dance with its sister, Spring, but with footsteps that seemingly drift backward rather than forward. Whereas Spring initially points to sameness–budding sprouts painted with green’s first blush, gradually individuating into bursting blooms of difference–Fall begins with noticing distinction. Contrasting colors, captured against the sky’s steady canvas, catch the eye and gradually move towards Death’s crisp, brown sameness. Fall engages in games of juxtaposition, exposing the flirtatious rhythms of countless hues: the timbre of gold playing against the thrumming reds that glide through melodies of orange and heavy green. The chromatic orchestration harmonizes within a wind-kissed silence. Collapse never looked so good. 

And those leaves, gently clinging to those branching fingertips, which fledged them into existence, cast their gaze upon the sky below, and are let go of, right on time, to gravity’s bellowing breath. And they fly, glide, spin and twirl their way to the bottom of the sky, where they gently cling to the roots from which they were born, generously giving themselves over to the rebellious art of being metabolized; shapeshifting into food for new, birthing leaves. Branches to roots; left palm to right palm; how is death real when it’s just a game of catch between two hands powered by the same Source?