Silence and Reflection as a Shared Act of Resistance ⁓
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Inspiration, in the moment, remains a mystery: it strikes invisible chords.
These two young men grabbed a beer and set out a small chessboard. The gesture caught me off guard—not a smartphone in sight, nor a cigarette, but a game that demands focus, quietude, and a deliberate contemplation of every move.
Searching for solutions to seemingly 'useless' problems is precisely the process of the artist: a purely creative act.
They have no need for words, no obligation to make conversation. Yet, this shared reflection unites them. In a way, there is a deep solidarity between adversaries, an unspoken pact. That is the true quality of the game: being fictional enemies serves to build a genuine friendship.
This happened in Berlin, but could it have taken place elsewhere?
Yes, perhaps, though I have rarely witnessed this in Italy. In Germany, however, it seems deeply rooted in the culture—I recall seeing countless chess players in the parks of Leipzig. In Málaga, too, public chessboards along the main promenade are constantly alive with players. I am fascinated by the idea of chess as a daily, simple, and spontaneous ritual.
I am not a chess player myself, but I was drawn to this scene because it elevates the value of thought and silence—not as isolation, but on the contrary, as a moment of quiet connection.
A slow time carved out against the noise and speed of the world.
The Chess Players - Watercolor on cotton paper, 55x75 cm
