there are two screams that are memorable to me, that i can think of offhand. certainly, there are more. but maybe its just that two are worth discussing.
I had 4 reasons for going to norway last year. the first-to go to Flam, in the fjords. chances of going there were erased with a massive snow storm, leaving me stuck in oslo. Second, to see what a true liberal society looks like. third, to see hyerdahl's 'kon tiki' and amundsden's 'fram'. and fourth, to see one of munch's 'screams'.
Munch has long been a favorite of mine. I got to see a large travelling exhibit at the national gallery about 6 years ago in DC. It was good, it had some of his studies for the final 'scream' (there are 2 'final' screams.). it wasnt really enough though. i wanted to see it in the real. so i went to oslo.
the national gallery of norway is a very good place. its smallish. its free. and its comprehensive. it reflects the character of the nation. it has much indigenous art, which echoes the rough life of those who live within the arctic circle. it has art which is transcendental, heavily influenced the hudson river folks. its just all interesting. you wander, and eventually, you make a left turn, and directly in front of you is a painting, perhaps 30 yards away. a long way in front of you, for a gallery. its 'scream.' and you dont know how to react. youre drawn closer, pulled by some lacanian force perhaps. but you dont really want to be. you want to turn away, but you cant. the face is imprinted in your mind. you look away, but you still see him looking back. screaming.
I went closer, and i sat in front of him. for how long, i dont really know. hours? i wouldnt be in any position to say otherwise. what is 'scream'? Munch said it was a reflection of a hard time in his life, a time when he was maddened, and saw his personal angst reflected in the world around him. its striking. for me, no painting exists that can draw you in and push you away at the same time. i dont know if it evokes so much the ebb and flow of a tide as a cyclone. its a noisy painting. but its so loud that you often dont hear the noise. its that deafening, like krystof penderecki's sostenutos. screams can be like that. you dont always have to hear them.
Another scream. hichcocks. admittedly, ive only seen this once, and it came over a decade ago.to be fair, i only remember 3 scenes. the shower, the first time she met norman, and when hes down there cavorting with his dead mom. alex and i watched it on turner classic movies, then went outside and slept in a tent in my backyard. We didnt last long out there. every noise was noticeable. it was simply too much. screams can be like that too.
\\\\\after all that. gotta change the mood. scaring myself just by writing all that.