Light and Dark. They’re the most
popular of comparisons. Perhaps it’s because of their obvious differences or the
underlying meanings people have subconsciously intertwined with them. Either way,
the two have become the subject of this
magazine. There will be discussion of light
and its opposing partner, darkness, through
works of art such as, poetry, drawings,
photography and so on. This editorial will
set the pace for what is to be featured and
explain the basis of what light and dark are.
For I believe we can all agree light and dark
are so much more than what is simply seen.
Light. Light is sitting on a patio on
a spring day as a light breeze blows your
loose hair over your eyes and the heat
warms your soft skin. Light is hearing good
news, a kind act, doing well on something
you worked hard on, the first sip of coffee,
the sweet taste of your favorite ice cream.
When you’re in light, everything is clear
and easily navigable. With light, you know
what it before you. However, as we’ve seen,
light is more than just waves and photons.
When you ask someone to describe light in
different terms, more often than not, they
will name things that bring them happiness.
If happiness is something that makes you
feel warm on the inside, it makes sense that
it would coincide with light. When you are
filled with light and happiness, it pours out
of you. You want everyone to see your light,
so maybe they can feel the same light you
have. Having light is uplifting. Light is good.
Dark. In scientific terms, darkness is
the absence of light. Darkness is the unknown. When you’re in the dark, there is no
telling what there is. One wrong step and
you’ve tripped over something and are now
on the floor. Unlike in the light, there is the
unknown of what to come, and this is what
makes darkness so scary. For, children are
always scared of the dark, not the light.
Darkness is cold and the absence of happiness. There is not light when you hear a
childhood friend has died. There is no light
during the nights you spend crying on the
floor. There is only darkness. You only feel
cold and hard inside. Darkness is heavy.
Carrying it is an unwanted burden that many
refuse to share. Dark is bad.
Now what if light wasn’t good and
dark wasn’t bad? Of course the previous
aspects remain true, but there are two sides
to every coin. Light can be blinding, and the
dark can be refreshing. Constantly trying to
find the light and having the light of others
shone on you can be exhausting. Some light
is artificial, yet that light can shine the brightest, only to be too intense and provide no
true nutrients. In the light, there is so much
to see and so much going on, and while
it can provide great happiness, it can also
become overpowering. Darkness can be a
sweet retreat. Darkness, although it can be
filled with sadness and fear, does not have
to be bad. The dark is a place to reflect. In
the dark, there is only one thing to focus
on… you. There are no distracting things to
be seen; there is just you and your thoughts.
Darkness comes naturally, so there is no
need to fear when it comes. Every night,
you wait for the dark to fall asleep, knowing
that when you wake there will be light. But
for those hours of the night, darkness brings
rest. Dark can be good.
Now, with this understanding of light
and dark, you may continue through this
magazine. As you admire the various works
of art, reflect on the light and darks of your
life. Each work approaches and portrays the
subject differently. Each artist with unique
experiences and different definitions. Although, no matter how diverse, every piece
has the same goal of exposing the light and
the dark.
Written by Rebecca James
5