So this is a picture of Saint-George Theatre France, before an paint-job…

and this is after!

Amazing isn't it? I find it hard to believe until I actually scrutinise the paint job more closely. Reminds me of photorealism (credits to cat for introducing photorealism to me)

In any case why am I talking about this? Of course, besides the fact that this is just incredulous and spectacular.

I suppose these few months I have been quite jaded by life, and my hype about academia can sometimes tire people out.

But the trompe l'oeil reminds me that there are still joys in the ordinary. Paint and skill can still delight the eyes, although it's just the depiction of the 'everyday'. This just led me to think about the 'everyday' as magical and we'll never know how important it is until it is gone. Just like Saint George theatre, we will never treasure the familiar cornices and windows on a building until we see the 'before' picture. It also reminds me that life can be cheap, that thrills need not come in big packages or bombastic stages. It is just the familiarity of the everyday life that brings warmth to the heart.

People can sometimes seek the 'high', however, I find myself seeking the same 'high' - there is a certain comfort in knowing routine and pattern. We are not always completely comfortable with 'getting out there' all the time. Like the trompe l'oeil, we don't need expensive construction to achieve the same effect. Just paint and skill, just only paint and skill with a delightful sense of humour.

So I am no longer jaded and truth be told, I don't know how long this optimism can last. What I do know is that sometimes, living in the moment is enough. Until the trompe l'oeil no longer serves its purpose because everyone seems to know what the 'trick' is, we can still go back to the base to find our stronghold. That no matter what changes on the surface, underneath it all, we all hold on to our beliefs. I just wish there won't be an earthquake to rock all those foundations away in one cruel sweep.

We all like to be tricked, it provides delight and joy to the sucker of a deception. I'm sure no one has punched these artists for making everyone of us a fool to our own eyes. I am still seeking a sense of wonder in the midst of all the mundane. To make the ordinary peculiar, and to make the peculiar ordinary. All it takes, is just to trompe l'oeil.