Crossing Under Daniel Merriam

The composition presents a densely layered scene, brimming with symbolic elements and surreal juxtapositions. A large clock face dominates the central space, its hands frozen at a specific time, suggesting a suspended moment or a disruption of linear progression. The architectural backdrop features a whimsical building, rendered in soft pastel hues, that appears to be both familiar and fantastical. Its design incorporates unusual window shapes and an overall sense of dreamlike unreality.
Beneath the clock, a tangle of branches and foliage intertwines with various objects, creating a complex visual network. Several fish are scattered throughout this arrangement – some appear suspended in mid-air, others seem to be emerging from or disappearing into the vegetation. Their presence introduces themes of fluidity, transformation, and perhaps even subconscious thought. A bright red apple rests near the lower right corner, its placement hinting at temptation, knowledge, or a disruption of natural order.
A figure, partially obscured by the clock’s frame, appears to be in motion, adding a sense of narrative ambiguity. The individuals posture suggests an act of passing through or escaping something unseen. A small bird perches atop a yellow sphere, seemingly observing the scene with detached curiosity.
The color palette is vibrant and saturated, employing a range of greens, yellows, reds, and blues to create a visually rich environment. This heightened chromatic intensity contributes to the overall sense of unreality and amplifies the symbolic weight of individual elements. The artist’s meticulous rendering of detail, particularly in the depiction of the fish scales and foliage, lends a tactile quality to the work.
The arrangement of objects suggests a narrative that is not explicitly stated but rather implied through visual associations. It evokes a sense of mystery and invites contemplation on themes of time, perception, transformation, and the interplay between reality and imagination. The overall effect is one of playful disorientation, where familiar elements are recontextualized within an illogical and dreamlike setting.