Member-only story
Words are Weapons — Use Them Carefully
I was visiting an art gallery in Geneva, where I live, that had works by the French artist “Joseph”. I stared at a modern piece with a highly reflective flat piece of metal or a mirror, with words carved in it in large bold letters. The base, behind the mirror, was some other coloured background making the words stand out distinctly. The piece was probably 75 cm x 75 cm. I did not find the piece interesting so I quickly moved on to other works exhibited.
Days later the statement from the artwork kept circling in my head. The more I thought about it, the more brilliant the words appeared to me.
Despite my disliking of this type of art piece, it managed to impress me so much that I had to write about these words. Maybe Joseph’s mission as an artist has been fulfilled. At least in my case, that is. Perhaps Joseph’s category of work is brilliant because it made an image of the words. It stuck with me.
The impact of words
We, humans, start as toddlers launching verbal missiles; sentences weaponized to create a reaction. To get attention. Sometimes to show superiority.
“I hate you!” “You are ugly!” “You are stupid!”
