THE ART OF GIFTING

“There Goes Tomorrow” was created for the nostalgic antiquarians and the hopeless romantics. It is an ode to the little treasures we find on a stroll through a flea market on an early Saturday morning.

You browse through trinkets that all have a story to tell. Candlesticks, naturalist paintings in bronze frames, old photographs, and vintage knick-knacks; they were all cherished and loved by someone in this lifetime. The air smells of musty old books, and you can hear the distinct clatter of porcelain teacups as people browse through the fine china section.

One of the focus points of “There Goes Tomorrow” is the “Girl with the Pearl Earring,” the 1665 oil painting by Johannes Vermeer. It is another work of the Dutch Golden Age artist that exudes a sense of mystery. Vermeer avoided painting nudes and epics, both staples of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque traditions, and focused on the ordinary world. Just like an antique lover who browses through a flea market, he captured normal, everyday moments and elevated them into masterpieces. He played with textures and light and kept his subjects clothed and occupied. He created a sense of “stolen moments,” transforming us, the viewers, into hidden observers.

The featured painting follows these principles, like the rest of his works. It transports us to the global trade markets of that time. The portrayed girl is not wearing the traditional Dutch apparel of that time but rather an oriental garment, while her hair is covered with a turban. Her ambiguous appearance reminds us of the Westerners of that time who travelled across the world, visiting bazaars and outdoor oriental markets to discover rare little treasures; pearls from the Indian Ocean, silk fabrics, spices, and teas. We can imagine her walking through the walkways, smelling the exotic fruits and seeing her reflection in the bronze trinkets. We can hear the loud chatter of the vendors as if we are transported there.

"There Goes Tomorrow" is an ode to the ordinary. Inspired by the art of finding beauty in everyday moments, just like an antiquarian discovers treasures in a flea market.