A Dark Conversation: History and Truth

Prologue: Giselle met her long-lost lover Devin in Aegean Sea, and started their series of discussions about society.1

OTTAWA, CANADA - MUSEUM OF ART2

The minuets of Renaissance art ignited essences of history. There were Leonardo Di Vinci's Grecian reflections of life, Michelangelo's paintings of divinity; Botticelli's vivid imprints of human fantasies and Donatello's sculptures of emotions.3

Michelle, the tour guide continued to lecture on her speech of Renaissance as we strolled along the ancient halls of bloodied history.4

'But can we ever say that these paintings are the government's fabrication of truth?' I asked Michelle. The consistent unity of Renaissance art was simply coherent to arouse cynicism.5

'Religious art was well maintained in Renaissance, surely they reflected the lifestyles and history of a civilization. Look, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa infers the widening gap between rich and poor, and classification of beauty.' She replied.6

'Even though archaeology and art showed a minuet of human life, wouldn't the style ultimately be determined and assessed by the government? Renaissance movement might be created by one artist, but transformed to a widespread epidermic, or indoctrination after government encouragement. So in the end, history was wrecked myth.' Devin countered as he examined Donatello's David.7

Michelle evaded the question - another Orthodox product of history who perceived the dominant view as the right perception. 8

Though we both found love in the museum - Devin with his art galore, and me literary inspiration.9

I put my arm around his waist as we entered the radical 80s' exhibition hall - Devin is always my opposite.10

'I disagree with you on history - art and culture surely manipulate people as part of the propagandist machine, but the reminiscence and evidences of archaeology, or people inevitably showed the truth.' I replied as I gazed into Devin's green eyes.11

'What about the conflict between Japan and China in the 20th century? Both surviving Chinese and Japanese had different versions of history. In China, Japanese soldiers were brutal monsters who raped women and murdered children for their pleasure, in Japan, they claimed it as selfish intentions to expand their empires' Devin said.12

He suddenly pulled me into an embrace as we saw Roy Lichtenstein's 'The Kiss' as he whispered, 'and yet, I am drawn to your post consensus ideals.' 13

The pop art pictures seem to resemble the various interpretations of history. Roy Lichtenstein's pop art made his era seemed like upbeats of optimism, but Andy Warhol's 'Madonna' drives us into the sheer thoughts of confused illusions. Yet, they were all parts of history.14

'History is inevitably a fabrication of truth and glory.' I muttered.15

'Yet, the dominant impression ultimately determines the 'ideal' truth.' Devin said.16

'What is your classification of truth? The complete, uncensored chronicles of Nazi Germany, or a reel of videos showing Hiroshima?'17

'Yes, the unveiled version of it. In fact, wouldn't it be opportune if we could experience various eras?'18

'Devin, truth is an impossible dream. We strive for truth, but because of our unique perceptions, everyone would formulate different ideas. At the end..it remains an abstract muddle - with many attempts to decode a reliable formula.' 19

'If truth were to be objectively assessed, we could certainly see a real slice of reality.'20

'Even so, historians consistently included their own ideas....' Devin sealed my ideologue with a kiss, as I pulled myself closer to him.21

We lost ourselves to time under the sequential dance of snowflakes - it was bittersweet 3AM. Without a word, Devin took me to the house nearby.22

Devin laid me on the satin bed, and triggered the flashbacks of our chronicles of bittersweetness.23

'Perhaps truth and history would integrate' I said as I stroked his brown locks.24

'But it doesn't matter now, for bloodbath of history already strikes important questions for society' - he replied as he put his arms around me, and added 'in the past, the reminiscence of you would instantly reminds me of love.'25

Surges of kisses interrupted the heated discussion.26

'Perhaps idealistic optimism is the cure to all.' Devin whispered as night's carpets die on the striking daylight.27

Until unbiased objectiveness kicks in, perhaps this is the most ideal way to explore history.28

Blissful ignorance29