THE ENNUI OF BEING
The Greek philosopher Epicurus (341–270 BC) wrote in Greek a phrase whose Latin version is well-known. It is NON FUI, FUI, NON SUM, NON CURO. Loosely translated it means, I didn't exist, I did exist, I don't exist, I don’t care (or, less curtly, I have no cares.)
Say it outloud. Has a lovely sound. Pronounce FUI phooey!
THE ENNUI OF BEING is a 48 by 32 inch mixed media work on stretched canvas. The painted and varnished papier mache letters are 8” tall by 2” deep. The cabinet cards were found in a wide range of regions. Their backgrounds are painted in blue acrylic. The hand-painted, floral “wallpaper” is also acrylic. “Real” artificial silk roses are lined at the top. The work is framed with mourning lace. I used the lace frame because many of the early post mortem cabinet cards showed heavily black-laced dresses, mantillas, bunting and coffin lining, Oh my.
The darker-colored FUI represents death, and the one in flesh-pink, life. Curo is blood red. The flower motif is celebratory (birthdays, weddings etc.) and funereal. Each white letter “O” highlights a minority group— Black, Asian, Latina. The red letter “O” has a clown in it. He is laughing on the outside and crying on the inside.
The use of actual cabinet cards of unknown souls harks back to my LOST SOULS series 30 years ago. Information about that series can be found in the statements section of my web page, www.peterjketchum.com.
Epicurus believed death was nothing to fear. When you die, you don’t feel the pain of death because, um, well, you’re dead. You no longer exist and feel nothing. Therefore, as he famously said, “Death is nothing to us.” Well, speak for yourself Epi!
The phrase was seen on tombstones in ancient Rome, and it is a phrase embraced by some Humanists today. Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo. I was not; I was; I am not; I do not care. The work was prodded into being by my 80th birthday, maybe. Though It all seems quite morbid, THE ENNUI OF BEING is visually cheerful, colorful and positive. Take the Epicurean approach to life and enjoy it while you can. Still...phooey!
Say it outloud. Has a lovely sound. Pronounce FUI phooey!
THE ENNUI OF BEING is a 48 by 32 inch mixed media work on stretched canvas. The painted and varnished papier mache letters are 8” tall by 2” deep. The cabinet cards were found in a wide range of regions. Their backgrounds are painted in blue acrylic. The hand-painted, floral “wallpaper” is also acrylic. “Real” artificial silk roses are lined at the top. The work is framed with mourning lace. I used the lace frame because many of the early post mortem cabinet cards showed heavily black-laced dresses, mantillas, bunting and coffin lining, Oh my.
The darker-colored FUI represents death, and the one in flesh-pink, life. Curo is blood red. The flower motif is celebratory (birthdays, weddings etc.) and funereal. Each white letter “O” highlights a minority group— Black, Asian, Latina. The red letter “O” has a clown in it. He is laughing on the outside and crying on the inside.
The use of actual cabinet cards of unknown souls harks back to my LOST SOULS series 30 years ago. Information about that series can be found in the statements section of my web page, www.peterjketchum.com.
Epicurus believed death was nothing to fear. When you die, you don’t feel the pain of death because, um, well, you’re dead. You no longer exist and feel nothing. Therefore, as he famously said, “Death is nothing to us.” Well, speak for yourself Epi!
The phrase was seen on tombstones in ancient Rome, and it is a phrase embraced by some Humanists today. Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo. I was not; I was; I am not; I do not care. The work was prodded into being by my 80th birthday, maybe. Though It all seems quite morbid, THE ENNUI OF BEING is visually cheerful, colorful and positive. Take the Epicurean approach to life and enjoy it while you can. Still...phooey!