Yareah Magazine

Ann Timmermans and Dominique d'Orange 

First Encounter by Dominique d'Orange       oil on canvas, 1991- 120x120 cm.

The metaphysical appeal of the tragic is the Dionysian wisdom in the language of the image: the hero, the highest appearance of the will.
The moment the will was in danger, art appeared as a saving magician . Art alone is capable to convert aversion to horror and absurd existence into representations of

 the superior.

The critic distinguished bipartition in the artistic development. He described two drifts, named after the gods of art: the rational Apollonian and passionate Dionysian. To him both were represented in each art form. We visualize them respectively as the separate artistic worlds of the dream and of intoxication. ( intellect and will)

Representing an ideal world, Apollonian appearance aims at order, beauty, regularity and radiant glorification. It triumphs over the inherent suffering of life, erases misery from nature’s image, it’s divine appearance tears humans away from  self destruction.

Dionysian reality shows us of the immense lust of existence and its ecstasy. We are forced to accept the horrors of existence, experience the struggle, the torture. This creative and healthy energy brings about change, movement, chaos, creation, destruction, truth.

The nature copying Apollonian Greek regarded the Dionysian effect as barbarian.
Nietzsche stated European culture remained one sided and unhealthily Apollonian. Art should represent the essence of reality instead of beauty. He advocated the resurrection of Dionysian energies, associated with creativity, joy in existence and ultimate truth. Nietzsche related to the reality of existence as the artistic man to the reality of the dream. To reach this goal, intoxication and inspiration of dreams were suggested.

He believed weak people longed for the imaginary, ideal world because of their fear of death. He advised to live dangerously in order to experience fully.

The true artistic goal of Apollo is supplying a divine illusion, a veil of beauty to cover existence. In an individual’s consciousness a healthy balance of Dionysian and Apollonian will compel the drifts to develop their strengths.