11 A Few Thoughts About Sławek's Sculptures

At the top, Konrad saw two men hugging each other, one of them resting his head on the shoulder of the other. Naked, wrapped only in some cloth, they looked as if they had a deep, tender bond. Konrad carefully picked them up. The wood was as smooth as human skin. The artist had to spend a lot of time giving the material in which he worked this very characteristic. If the object was a mixed couple, Konrad did not doubt that he would quickly be in the gallery and it would be written about the discovery of a new genius, but in the case of this couple ...

In the case of this couple, it took more than the standard school reception of art to accept it and recognize its quality.

He himself, looking at the sculpture and holding it in his hand, had mixed feelings. Of course, while visiting the world and the largest museums, he saw works on similar topics more than once. They were primarily of Greek origin. He did not argue with the statement that the Hellenistic culture, on which the present Western culture grew, not only allowed but also praised homosexual relationships, although specific dependencies had to be met in them. Today, most of these unions would be prosecuted by law. Times and mores changed. What used to be normal today was shocking, and vice versa. Konrad could not deny that Sławek's works are beautifully made, simply beautiful, but their subject matter made him uneasy.

Of course, when watching anime or reading manga, every step met similar threads. Sometimes they were clearer, other times less. In other fictional films, similar themes appeared more and more often. They woven more and more naturally, without any drastic or tragic course. So if other arts accepted these types of threads, maybe these sculptures were ok too?

Well, that's it, Konrad said. He put Sławek's work aside and closed the cardboard box. He changed his shirt to a day shirt and pulled on his pants. He carefully opened the door and looked around the hall - no, sień, as Domejczuk called it when he showed him around yesterday. He peeked into the kitchen, but did not see his friend there. There was no light through the glass in the bathroom door. So Sławek was either somewhere outside or in his grandfather's studio.

Konrad timidly entered the studio.

"Sławek, are you here ...?"

Yes, he was standing here wearing a black T-shirt with wisps of fair hair falling over it. He was standing opposite the pieta, which so delighted Kowalski. The sheet covering them yesterday was lying on the ground, and the boy, standing motionless, stared at the bright wood. Was he planning over which component will work now? Can he imagine what it will look like? Where to put the chisel to achieve the planned shape?

Konrad shuddered when Sławek finally moved and touched the woman's face. He did it with such tenderness that Skalski felt like an intruder, as if he had entered into his intimate experience. Did all artists approach their works this way? Were their works so important to them that they felt tender affection for them?

Sławek pulled up a stool and sat down. He reached for the chisel and placed it against the body of Christ. A moment's hesitation, and suddenly a bright chip broke away with a light tap from the sculpture. Then another. The boy seemed to be getting to work.

Konrad withdrew and closed the door as quietly as he could. He was surprised to find that his heart beat faster. He was glad that Domejczuk continued to work on his pieta, which was so unique. This sculpture will bring the young artist fame and big money.

The fact that Sławek started working on the pieta was great, but what should Konrad do now? He won't be standing in front of the door picking his nose. But what alternatives did he have then?

He came here without a plan, hoping to come up with something on the spot. And we did it. He did not even expect Sławek to be a brilliant artist, which would solve part of the money problem. If it goes well, the boy will get a lot of money with his pieta. How long will it take to finish the sculpture? Should Konrad not look for a way to get the remaining amount during this time? Or to somehow support a young artist?

Good for yourself, support young artist! Good one? With what?

Skalski seemed to have a few things to think about, but hard to think on an empty stomach, he decided, feeling uncomfortably hungry. He should start with breakfast.

Contrary to what some thought about rich boys, Konrad knew where the food was coming from and that it was not necessarily ready on the table. He could browse the shelves of Domejczuk, after all, the latter said yesterday to feel comfortable, but he had the impression that he would find little, and it seemed unethical to eat someone who had to save every zloty in order not to lose their home. It was enough for him to invite him home and to bed - however ambiguous it might sound, the fact was a fact. Skalski was in this area for the second time and he knew that it was not a total crap and that he had seen at least two grocery stores along the way.

Okay, he decided to go to one of them and looked at his watch to see what time it was.

Forty past nine. This is the normal time for someone his age to wake up on vacation. Plus or minus twenty minutes.

He went outside to take a leisurely look around, groaning as a blast of hot, dry air hit him. Such a heat so early in the morning? And it's in the shade? He would like to bathe in the sea or a cool river now. He could be there today if he wanted to, but he had made his resolve for the coming weeks and was not going to break it.

The air smelled of flowers and peaches. Konrad looked around and saw a small orchard to his left. Some of the trees were old and twisted. They looked like they were over fifty. Others were definitely planted a few years ago. It was on the two younger branches that bent under the weight of the big, appetizing golden-pink peaches. Konrad drooled. He took one step towards the trees when he noticed that something twitched under one. A great, shaggy shape rose from the ground and shining eyes stuck into him.