« Tropical Bliss » by David Gumbs

EUPHORIA (noun) /juːˈfɔː.ri.ə/ (Origin: Greek, derived from euphoros “borne well, healthy”, from eu [➙eu-] and  pherein: “to bear/carry” [➙phore])

Definition: extreme happiness, sometimes more than is reasonable in a particular situation,

TROPICAL (adjective) /ˈtrɒp.ɪ.kəl/

Definition:

• from or relating to the area between the two tropics
• extremely hot
• of or characteristic of the tropics (= the hottest area of the earth)

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As the winter chill grips Canada, a plethora of advertisements tempt us with the promise of escape to welcoming tropical islands. These destinations, anchored in our collective imagination, trigger a kind of euphoria, a state of joyful and profound well-being that gives us a temporary reprieve from the humdrum and stress of everyday life. Typical postcard scenes of sun-drenched beaches and verdant landscapes flash through our minds, offering a warm alternative to the unrelenting cold.

This contrast prompted a reflection on our fascination with the tropical and exotic. The pervasiveness of tropical fruits and flowers in our daily lives, adorning our clothes, jewelry, and even our homes with indoor plants, is indicative of an association of psychological comfort linked to tropical imagery. 

The invitation to present the work of David Gumbs, a Martinique-based artist from the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin, was therefore a welcome opportunity to explore this contrast. His work, renowned for its use of bright, psychedelic colours and Caribbean floral motifs, stands in stark contrast to the snowy streets of Aylmer today. 

As part of the exhibition Tropical Bliss presented at L’Imagier, Gumbs unveils the work Cosmic Flowers (2020), which combines an assortment of digital images of tropical flowers using a kaleidoscope mechanism to blend shapes and colours through a mirror effect that transforms them into different patterns. While it can continuously run on its own, the installation comes to life in the presence of participants. Their movements, which are embedded in this digital space, give rise to new dynamic structures. These forms are reminiscent of Gumbs’ intuitive drawings, a pillar of his art that links physical and mental space. The intensity of visitors’ movement creates a dialogue between the floral motifs and the drawings, bringing to mind the meteorological representations of the hurricanes and tropical storms that are common in the West Indies.

The work thus creates a visual tapestry, interweaving the human psyche, the body, floral motifs, and atmospheric phenomena. It plays with scale, reminding us that our relationship with the world should transcend the desire for distraction and pleasure. On the contrary, it calls for a balanced, reciprocal interaction. This gesture, both playful and profound, illustrates the spiritual interconnection of different universes or systems, be they human, plant, planetary or cosmic.

In a poetic union, microcosm and macrocosm converge in a single, dynamic image. Gumbs’ work, which is deeply concerned with the impact of climate change on the Caribbean territories that are threatened by rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions, resonates more than ever. Canada’s recent forest fires are a powerful reminder of the global scale of climate change, which affects each and every one of us. These events underscore our interdependence and the imperative to think collectively as members of the crew of Spaceship Earth.

This experience with Cosmic Flower is designed not only for pleasure, but also to awaken a deeper awareness of the emerging global environmental crisis. The charm of the Caribbean goes beyond a mere vacation destination; it is a crucial part of a complex, interdependent, and interconnected ecosystem.

We now face a critical question: will the euphoria experienced here inspire us to act to safeguard the longevity of our territories for future generations? Or will these moments become distant nostalgic memories eclipsed by escalating climatic catastrophes? The choices we make today will determine the future of our shared journey on our one and only planet Earth.