"Todo arte es inestable. Su significado no es necesariamente el que implica el autor."

Art is an ever-changing tapestry. Its essence isn’t tied to what the creator initially meant—it’s a living, breathing thing that changes with every new pair of eyes that look upon it. Imagine a painting you saw as a child; it might have seemed simple, just colors on a canvas. But revisit it years later, and suddenly, those colors might tell you a different story entirely. That’s the magic of art.

Historically, this idea has been central to many movements in the art world. Think about the Renaissance, when artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were creating works that spoke volumes about humanity, divinity, and everything in between. They might have had specific ideas in mind, but centuries later, we’re interpreting them through the lens of modern values and experiences. Think about Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” At the time he painted it, he might have been channelling his own feelings of turmoil and beauty. Today, someone might see it and feel calm, inspired, or even melancholy. The painting hasn’t changed, but the eyes and hearts looking at it have.

Let’s take a real-life example to make this clear. Picture Banksy’s street art. Banksy’s graffiti often appears overnight and is instantly subject to myriad interpretations. Take his famous piece, "Girl With a Balloon." Some people see it and think about lost innocence, others see hope. Banksy might have had a specific message in mind, but the beauty of it is that it’s open to anyone's interpretation. It doesn’t have to mean just one thing—it’s unstable, fluid.

If you want to apply this wisdom in your own life, start by not getting too hung up on what you think something is supposed to mean. Whether you’re looking at a piece of art, reading a book, or even listening to someone’s story, remember that your interpretation is valid. It’s shaped by your own experiences, feelings, and beliefs. Don’t be afraid to let your perspective shift over time. The way you see things can—and should—change as you grow.

Here’s a relatable story to bring it all home. Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, and there's a local artist's painting on the wall. It's abstract—a swirl of colors and shapes. You sit there with your friend, and you both start guessing what it might signify. You see a stormy sea, feeling a sense of chaos and unpredictability. But your friend? They see a dance of light and joy, a celebration. You both might spend hours debating this, but the beauty is that you’re both right. The painting is unstable, its meaning not fixed by anything except what you bring to it.

So next time you encounter a piece of art, a story, or even a life situation, remember that it’s okay for your understanding to evolve. Embrace the instability. Let the meaning be as varied and dynamic as the people who experience it. It’s in this openness that true connection and understanding flourish.