The Beaver Theory by Antti Tuomainen

Author:Antti Tuomainen [Tuomainen, Antti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

9

‘Pollock,’ says Laura, and turns the book on the table. The book is what they call a coffee-table format and must weigh several kilos. If I’ve understood correctly, people only touch these kinds of picture books when they’re moving house; at all other times, they lie untouched on coffee tables and bedroom floors. But Laura’s copy has clearly seen some life. The spine needs some rudimentary repair, dozens of ragged Post-It notes in various colours jut out from between the pages, and the book is filled with all manner of notes and scraps of paper.

I look at the reproduction of a painting that at first glance looks like nothing but a chaotic mess, but the longer I look at it, the more I start to see order, rhythm, even beauty and harmony. Still, I’m unsure whether I can trust my own interpretation. It’s very possible that the challenges I’ve faced through the course of the day lend my reading a healthy dose of wishful thinking, and I’m not a great admirer of that. Based on my observations and experiences, I’ve reached the conclusion that many of the problems we face in the course of human life stem from wishful thinking and daydreaming. Again, I realise I’ve become lost in thought; I take a deep breath, try to concentrate.

‘One of my favourites,’ says Laura.

I take my eyes from the Pollock, compare it to Laura’s recent sketch, which was spread out on the dining table once I’d cleared up after supper. Assuming I’m reading her sketch correctly, Laura’s new work will be an abstract explosion of colour spanning three walls, and its desired effect is one of balance. Even the sketch is magnificent. All the smaller and larger motifs repeat, forming chains, pairs, groups, swoops, and to my mind the whole work makes excellent use of the space and walls. And like Laura Helanto’s earlier works, this one too seems to capture my imagination, leaves me wanting more. And all this in a way that right from the start I have found it impossible to explain, especially from a mathematical perspective.

‘I find Pollock quite distinguished,’ I say eventually. ‘But I find your works better.’

Laura smiles, looks at me over her glasses.

‘Do you remember this morning, when I said I admired your honesty?’

I tell her I do. Laura says nothing. It takes a moment before I realise what she means.

‘I really do think that,’ I say.

‘You’re such a sweetheart,’ she says. ‘Thank you.’

Then her expression turns serious.

‘At some point, we’re going to have to talk about what’s going on,’ she says eventually. ‘I haven’t said anything about the purple bruise on your forehead.’

I automatically raise a hand to my forehead, touch the bump and almost yelp, even though I’ve taken both paracetamol and ibuprofen this evening. When Tuuli and I arrived home, I only took my hat off once I’d reached the bathroom and before stepping into a hot shower. I didn’t want to risk my forehead starting to bleed in front of Tuuli.

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