Skewness is a question of perspective

Igor Mitoraj, Angelo Caduto (Fallen Angel); Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli © Frank Werner Pilgram

The myths of the fall of the light-bringer and of the enjoyment of the forbidden fruit of knowledge already reveal the profound ambiguity of the human – or should we say devilish – intellect, whose instrumental-rationalising side is currently unfolding its destructive historical power once again: “The fully enlightened earth shines in the sign of triumphant disaster”. In the form of the pandemic medical imperative, brain and abdomen are amputated in equal measure, as Igor Matoraj’s fallen angel prophetically demonstrates in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Lucifer lies bulky and shattered at the feet of the famous tower, whose ingenious weight was barely able to balance the swampy earth, so that he almost shared the fate of the phallic rebel. But the Gorgon’s head is inscribed in the wing that now supports rather than elevates the figure of the angel, so that it proves to be an alter ego of Perseus. As is well known, the sight of Medusa causes the observer to petrify, which is quite close to the current state of world society. To those so petrified in their respective places, everything seems to be in order – they would have to move, change their standpoint and thus their perspective, in order to recognize the dangerous misalignment of the Babylonian civilization construction. And even if they were able to do so, wouldn’t the fascination with catastrophes and the desire for collapse, i.e. the temptation to finally satisfy the unconscious feeling of guilt, prevail? Legend has it that Galileo discovered the laws of falling bodies here in his hometown through experimental experience, and thus corrected the scientific error of Aristotelian doctrine that had been valid for a millennium and a half. How long will it take this time until the new religious delusion, flaunting itself in the guise of science, is spellbounded again?

Frank Werner Pilgram