What is it about the clown archetype that almost commands a respect for the inner recesses of our humanity?
Checkerboard floor, Derby for shoe, pale blue a setting. As the cello unfolds through the flicker — it shakes you! All from a clown: are the clowns the ones that control?
We like to believe the clowns are there for our amusement. They’re here on our dime. They’re here because maybe deep down we’re the one giving them a good time.
But that’s precisely where we fall through. We never asked why they amused us. The teardrop they painted on is for us; the clown is trying to elicit ours. Along with the white face, frilly tutus and soap opera displays, hula-hooping through fire rings and elephants. Where does he channel our emotion? Where is he leading us?
Is he obeying a ghost? What is it about the ghost archetype that summons a respect for the unknown forces? Clowns for an instrument — we don’t consider his ghost. Poltergeists hold the strings!
The best way to hide your poltergeist is to clothe him in clown suits. Solve two objectives at once: hide, and yet lead more people down to the way they want. Clowns are there to entertain, distract, but never to prepare. At best a precursor to your destruction. Lieutenant Casper here to sign off your birth certificate. But you never had one. The ghost of you, at least.
Am I talking to your ghost?