I see you!

“I see you!” presents a whimsical and surrealist composition that reimagines a pair of vintage lorgnette glasses as an imaginative fusion of anatomy and curiosity. Instead of standard lenses, the eyepieces are formed by two large, illustrated human eyes, rendered in warm shades of brown and beige, with highly detailed irises shaded in blue-green tones. These eyes stare outward, evoking both alertness and quiet mystery, anchoring the viewer’s attention in a playful gaze that sits at the crossroads of science illustration and Victorian aesthetics.

The spectacle frames are antique in appearance, with an old-fashioned loop at one end and a delicate wire bridge connecting the two sides. The spectacles float independently in the center of the image, giving them an ethereal quality—almost like a relic preserved in a surreal daydream. On top of each “eye-lens” rests a bright butterfly with detailed wings. The butterflies, mirroring each other on either side, feature a palette of burnt orange, electric blue, and black dotted with small white spots. They appear weightless yet perfectly still, as if they’ve landed just long enough to become part of the eyewear itself. Their position adds a sense of whimsy and transformation to the piece—perhaps suggesting vision as a vehicle for beauty, imagination, or metamorphosis.

The background features a checkered turquoise and white grid, which lends a rhythmic, optical illusion-like structure to the otherwise dreamlike elements. This backdrop flattens the depth of the image and introduces a playful contrast between the orderliness of geometry and the fantastical, almost absurdist nature of the foreground. The checkered pattern also recalls vintage graphic design and traditional flooring, grounding the image in a subtly nostalgic context that reinforces the retro-futuristic mood.

Color plays an essential role in the emotional tone of the artwork. The warm flesh tones of the eye sockets contrast with the cool checkered background and the vibrant wings of the butterflies. The symmetrical composition and color balance make the piece feel calm, cohesive, and meticulously crafted, while still delivering visual intrigue through unexpected juxtapositions.

Signed discreetly at the bottom by Erika C. Brothers, the piece is unmistakably part of her distinctive style: maximalist, surreal, and infused with poetic charm. It calls to mind themes of observation, perception, and wonder, as if reminding the viewer that the world can be seen differently when approached with imagination. There’s a playful message hidden in the combination of natural and mechanical elements—suggesting that seeing isn’t just biological, but also emotional and symbolic.

The image could be interpreted as a metaphor for insight or inner vision: eyes that are not merely for seeing outwardly, but perhaps tools for introspection and fantasy. The butterflies, often symbolic of transformation and freedom, enhance this sense of imaginative possibility. Their placement, lightly resting atop human eyes transformed into spectacles, implies a union between fragility and awareness—a celebration of seeing the world with curiosity and wonder.

Overall, this piece is a surreal visual poem, where optical devices become conduits for magical thinking, and where eyes are no longer just for looking—they are part of a broader, imaginative mechanism of flight, transformation, and quiet observation. It is both playful and philosophical, vintage and modern, technical and poetic—an invitation to see the world not just with the eyes, but with a mind open to whimsy and surprise.

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