The Invisible Man

Self-development

15 Mar

Written By Quinn

According to his DeviantArt profile, Crilleb50, a.k.a Christer Borgquist, considers himself a hobbyist. Yet, there’s no lack of professionalism regarding the finished product. I couldn’t decide which of these three pictures I liked best; they all deal with slightly different variations of the missing self. So, I figured it would be an excellent opportunity to look at the concept of the invisible man.

Wish You Were Here is an image I resonated with strongly a couple of years ago. I was in an online relationship with someone living three thousand miles away. I often felt it was akin to being in a relationship with a ghost. Long distance relationships can provoke a curious blend of feelings which go from one extreme to another; desolation and abandonment are not uncommon emotions among the geographically separated. The romantically inclined can often make the most of the separation by turning it into a mythical quest; those types usually need art and music to reinforce their vision. The room (pictured above) is an easy reference point for those who feel life itself is empty without the presence of a certain someone. Suppose we can transform the hours spent hankering and lamenting into something practical. In that case, much can be achieved with this particular kind of ‘wish you were here’. For others who relate to this image, it could be a more severe form of loss, such as experiencing intense grief from losing a partner. The room looks like it was abandoned long ago, so I’m inclined to think any internal provocation from this image could also relate to someone from the past. There’s the impression of only one person here, and even then, we have just a jacket which suggests a person. Is the invisible person the one who is doing the wishing, or the one who is wished for? If it’s the one being hoped for, where is the one doing the wishing? I see the light on the other side of that window as people, and there’s more than one. I’m quick to assume the viewer is on my side of the image, the perspective that looks into the room, which puts the window at the farthest point away. But what if the one doing the wishing is behind the window?

Hide and Seek is a little more quirky, and there is some confusion about how human the figure is. The suit and body type suggest a male and one who is financially succeeding at that. Apart from his missing head, he looks well groomed, which could indicate someone who enjoys an above-average level of social status. The hands are monstrous, zombie-like. Does this suggest that whatever he does with his hands is somehow out of sync with what others would regard as human? The body is a little thin; is there a lack of nourishment? The cogs on the floor are suggestive of mechanical movement. Put simply, gears transfer speed or force from one part to another. The balloon could be attached to his arm or floating behind; I can’t be sure. The balloon can symbolise a fragile state because it can pop any minute. We can fill balloons with gas or liquid, but nothing solid. As soon as they burst, the contents will disperse quickly. Traditionally speaking, balloons can represent the lesson of letting go. They’re often released to mark a celebratory transition, such as weddings and funerals, and they’re also popular at birthday parties. Outside the window, all looks fine to me. If anything, it seems completely normal. Trees can be a source of wisdom, and there could be a suggestion for finding wisdom outside the home or self. The trees are behind him, so there may be a need to look back so that wisdom can be found and applied. Gears and balloons are both objects which can symbolise transition in different ways. Cobwebs cover an old gramophone, but with his head missing, the man is unlikely to hear it. Interestingly, it is known that music provokes the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for memory, emotional reactions, and decision making. I wonder if the title, Hide and Seek, refers to an actual memory rather than a current situation. If this image is screaming at you loudly, for fucks sake, please turn up the volume. If you need a place to start, try the song that was number one when you were born or pull out your old CDs. I’m tempted to say Hide and Seek could prompt some people to recognise that life has become too dull and too rooted in the material. There could be a need to lighten up and maybe remember where joy resides. Perhaps what you’re listening to is predominantly unpleasant or lacks playfulness. Listening is crucial here. I’d say the messages are all around; the gramophone suggests you can find them in words spoken rather than written.

In the final image, we see a more blatant expression of loss of self. The man’s face is missing, and we also have what appears to be a tree without roots. I can’t make out much detail of the building in the distance. Still, there is a definite impression of a stable structure somewhere over yonder. The title, Lost The Way, makes it clear that this is someone who has lost their sense of direction, possibly because of a lack of understanding of the self. Being drawn to this image could signify not feeling connected to your environment, a sense of being out of place in unfamiliar surroundings. Even if you’ve been in the same area for years, it’s somehow not conducive to developing a strong sense of self. A resonance here could be reflecting issues at home or work. However, I wouldn’t say this image is connected to personal or professional relationships. It is far more likely to reference a particular place. That’s not to say relationships are perfect if you feel drawn to this image; I’m saying the picture points your attention to the location, not the people around you. If you’re feeling lost, it may be time to stop what you’re doing and take a look around you to see if you can get your bearings again.

You can view Crilleb50’s portfolio here.