Dear Bather,
From the first day I laid eyes on you, you captivated me. You stole my time from me as of late, making me contemplate on your abstract shapes. By definition you should be submerged in water, cleansing yourself. However, you resemble nothing of the sort, and the only bathing you are doing is that in the sun, day after day, while keeping your pose in front of the museum.
I have wondered many times in these last few weeks if your father, Jacques Lipchitz, knew what he was doing when he created you. Were you perhaps a mistake in his first attempts at lost-wax molding? Every time this ran through my mind my logic got the best of me. I know he must have had a plan and a vision when he created you. I sat in that grass and sketched you from all angles; the front, the back, and even both sides. I orbited you around and around and yet even after all of that, I just do not see it. To better understand you I broke you down into elements I could perceive.
I started at the top. I saw a showerhead protruding through the top of your mass. Followed by your one-eyed face with angular bronze locks cascading down the back of your head. From there your shapes were but a mystery to me. I wracked my brain for hours upon hours to decode your abstract and cubist nature. I thought about things that may be in the area you bathe. I saw a towel around your waist, covering parts of your midsection. And again I was stuck, so I moved to your other features. Your legs are quite curious. You seem as if you are posing. Why would one pose during such a private act as bathing? You have confused me yet again old friend.
As much as I have stared at your shape I have yet to know whether to call you ma’am or sir. You have qualities of both, of which I am sure was intended. Yet I felt compelled to try and prove you one way or the other. You have voluptuous curves that flow throughout your silhouette yet you have an odd masculinity about you. Perhaps it is those bronze arms of Braun. Yet in the end I know that your gender is a mute point as it speaks to your universality and ability to reach more people.
What does this all mean? You were created for some purpose were you not? I know you were intended to be viewed and analyzed for years and years to come as you were cast out of a strong and resilient metal compound. You are impervious to whatever Mother Nature may throw at you. However, your bronze coloring brings an artistic flair that is something to be desired. You evoke emotions through your abstract nature. Personally I find you frustrating. Yet we can appreciate the elements that make you, you. When you were created the art world was transitioning to more abstract methods, as realism was nearly mute. The camera and photography ruled that dominion with near perfection. Your father created you through a different eye in which only he knows your purpose.
As our time comes to an end dear friend, I am not so much saddened by our departure. I am left feeling unsatisfied that I do not fully understand you. Have no fear as I will surely see you again and each time I do, I will always remember the time we have spent together.
Your sincerest friend,
James
