Since my practice explores quantum conceptions of self – knotty, layered emotions and sensations – and how we form complex entanglements with other humans and non-humans, I’ve thought a lot about love, but I never seem to speak about it explicitly.
Why is that?
A couple of weeks ago, I went to a talk at Fitzrovia Chapel, which was part of the wonderful In Attendance exhibition. The four speakers were talking about care, compassion, and giving attention to family, in nursing and to their art practice. Throughout the discussion they were circling around the idea of love, yet none of the panelists mentioned it by name.
Why was that?
Most of the world’s museums are filled with art made by men about war and religion… what if they were filled with art exploring love and connection instead? More Tracy Emin’s and Yoko Ono’s please!
Musicians write songs about love all the time, but today in visual art, is the theme of love seen as too earnest, too shallow, too superficial or too feminine… or not ironic or cool enough to be a serious topic?
Quantum entanglement is a metaphor for an expanded version of love, where all possible ways of connecting exist at once transcending time and space: love of self; sexual love; romantic love; familial love; love of nature; toxic love; obsessive love…etc
Since our thoughts and emotions shape reality, does love not, therefore, shape existence as well?
Quantum love is plural and unbounded and not restricted to the commodified romantic love some will celebrate today.
So by framing love through one of the hardest sciences, could we encourage more discussions about love in the art world?
