am-Tomasz Setowski 02 Tomasz Setowski

The composition presents a theatrical scene unfolding on a checkerboard floor within a stage-like setting. Heavy red curtains frame the view, drawing attention to the central action while simultaneously suggesting a constructed reality. Above, a building with windows and balconies is visible against a dramatic sky populated by hot air balloons and birds in flight, creating a sense of layered perspective and dreamlike unreality.
Two figures dominate the foreground. One, dressed in a formal suit and top hat adorned with a pigeon, appears to be manipulating a mirror or reflective surface. Within this reflection, a white rabbit is depicted alongside playing cards – a clear nod to familiar narrative tropes. The second figure, costumed as a jester, holds what seems to be a bouquet of flowers, but closer inspection reveals they are stylized representations of human faces. This detail introduces an element of unsettling surrealism and potentially alludes to the performative nature of identity.
A small table is positioned between the figures, laden with props: a top hat, playing cards, and a partially visible box, hinting at illusion and deception. A birdcage hangs suspended from a wire in the background, adding another layer of symbolic complexity – perhaps representing confinement or observation. To the right, an ornate chair sits unoccupied, its presence suggesting absence or a waiting audience.
The color palette is rich and saturated, with deep reds and blues contrasting against the checkerboard floor. The lighting is dramatic, highlighting certain elements while casting others in shadow, contributing to the overall sense of theatricality and mystery.
Subtexts within this work seem to revolve around themes of illusion, performance, and the constructed nature of reality. The mirror suggests a distorted or manipulated perception, while the jester’s floral bouquet implies that appearances can be deceiving. The presence of recognizable symbols from narrative traditions invites viewers to question the boundaries between reality and fiction, prompting reflection on how we perceive and interpret the world around us. The overall effect is one of playful ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations and challenging conventional notions of representation.