Adult_Viggo Fall Drabble Challenge No 1 : "Opening Night"

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Title: Opening Night
Author: rifleman_s
Characters: Viggo / Sean
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Well, it’s fiction as usual – I admire them so much I’d hate to offend them and this hasn’t made me rich.

Written for adult_viggo Fall Drabble Challenge No 1

Based on this picture:




Opening Night

The two men entered the gallery, still laughing over some awful football joke. Viggo had insisted on wearing his San Lorenzo pendant and Sean wouldn’t leave the house without his Blades’ lapel badge, “Because”, he’d argued, “I don’t want to be taken for some arty-farty type, just there for the pretentious, artificial talk”.

Viggo sympathised. He hated gallery openings. Having to mingle and talk with strangers about his work; having to explain himself, when really all he wanted was to let the art speak for itself and leave people to show their appreciation by buying if they were genuinely impressed.

Later in the evening the two friends met up again in front of one of the larger pieces which hadn’t yet attracted a “sold” sticker. Sean grinned to himself at Viggo’s expression, standing there with his head cocked studiously to one side, a curious, unfathomable look on his face.

“I can’t believe how well it’s gone tonight”, said Sean, beaming.

“Sean . . .”

“No, don’t be shy about it Viggo – your first art show in London’s a great success, you can’t deny it!”.

“But, Sean . . .”

“I know you were nervous about it, love, but I haven’t heard one bad comment tonight – nothing but admiration”, Sean gushed, his words tumbling over each other in his efforts to re-assure the artist.

“But this one, Sean . . .”

“. . . is as fine as all the rest, Viggo. Just because it’s not sold yet doesn’t mean anything. Look at all the others – instantly snapped up by your shrewd admirers”.

“But Sean, listen . . .”

“No honestly, Viggo, you’ve no reason to doubt yourself at all. The whole evening’s been a tremendous success”. Sean knew he was rambling, but he’d try anything not to let Viggo sink into introspection and worry that his work wasn’t appreciated or understood. He came to an abrupt halt, though, as Viggo kicked him on the shin and all but yelled, “Sean!!!!”

“Okay love, sorry”. Sean held up a placating hand. “What did you want to say?”

“This painting, Sean”, hissed Viggo, quieter now.

“I told you . . .”

“Shut up!”

Silence.

“This painting . . . is upside down . . .”

“Oh”.

~End~

Comments

[alex-quine.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what prompted the photo, but this is lots of fun and fits very well. Enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

No, I've no idea either . . . but this just seemed to fit!

Thanks for your feedback :)

[painted-horse.livejournal.com]

Lovely, just lovely! Sean's face has to be priceless at that moment!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

It's a pleasure to try to picture it . . . *grins*

[caras-galadhon.livejournal.com]

*giggles* Oh, I love Sean's rambling, the whole idea that if he doesn't do a bout of "rah, rah, rah," poor Viggo'll fall into despair. Hee. Love how it takes a kick to his shin to get him to shut up, and oh, having had the luck to see some of Viggo's photos (sadly not his paintings) close up, I can imagine one or two might have to be seriously looked at before "up" and "down" were easily figured out. *snicker* That's fantastic. This was a fun read. Thank you.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

What marvellous feedback - thank you SO much.

You picked up exactly what I wanted to get across about Sean having to bolster Viggo so he doesn't feel down.

Some of his paintings are so abstract that as you say, upside down or right way up, we'd never know the difference (sacrilege to say so, but still . . .) so it was quite an easy interpretation *grins* !! (Viggo, if you're reading this - it's a compliment!!)

Thanks again for the wonderful comments :)

[mooms.livejournal.com]

This was good fun. Thank you.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Glad I could give you a smile!

Thanks!!

[smutcutter.livejournal.com]

Okay - THAT was funny and I laughed out loud! Loved Sean's rambling and Viggo's every so quiet observation.

Very funny!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

I made you laugh out loud? Now THAT is a wonderful compliment; thank you!!

It just seemed like the sort of kind thing Sean would do, bolster Viggo so that he wouldn't feel down - glad you found it worked!!

[afra_schatz]

This made me laugh out loud - feels so in character and comfortable. And did I mention hilarious? Thanks for sharing!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much - what wonderful compliments!

If you feel "comfortable", I've done my job right!!

:)

[ranger-girl0301.livejournal.com]

Hehe!! Perfect! Knowing his work...that probably happens quite a bit :-p

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

That's just what I wanted to pick up on - some of the paintings are so "abstract" that either way up would probably work!

[brigantine.livejournal.com]

*snicker* Ow. Poor Bean, yammering on, trying to be supportive, and gets kicked in the shin. Somehow I've always imagined a similar situation playing out the other way around. Upside down.... hee. :)

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I giggled all the way through your feedback . . .

Looking at some of the more abstract of Viggo's paintings, I doubt any of us would know the difference . . . *grins*

:)

[nevanoon.livejournal.com]

Already started giggling when I saw the pic.
Later, I couldn't decipher the last lines for a moment, the tears (of laughter) made me blind for a moment. Then I had to wait another few minutes until I could see the keyboard again.
I loved this very much!!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

What fanstastic feedback!

It's just great to think I can move people to tears (of whatever kind!!)

Glad you enjoyed!!

[sveta-111.livejournal.com]

*g*
Wonderful!
Thank you.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!

Thank YOU for reading and commenting :)

[angiepen.livejournal.com]

[facepalm with eyeroll]

Hey, that's hard! ;)

Cute little thing -- short and funny, one joke. Good job. :)

Angie

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much - glad you enjoyed!!

If I made you laugh, I'm satisfied! *grins*

[archet.livejournal.com]

Eee, adorable, in a totally good way! I love Sean, feeling proud of Vig and determined not to let him feel bad at the painting not selling. Vig just trying to get a word in, and then the ending really made me smile. They're really sweet here, a lovely image to see. Thanks for sharing! ;)

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback!

I'm glad you picked up in their easy friendship . . . and the ending made me smile, too!! *grins*

[redminerva17.livejournal.com]

I love the combination of that photo and this story. Too adorable, and more true to life than you may know! Early this year during Viggo's exhibition at Track 16 in California, I purchased one of the prints of Mana 2 -- a favorite ever since it was included in "For Wellington." It was also the photo that was used to advertise the exhibition, so it was a very familiar image all over the place on the internet, and particularly on the Track 16 site. I live on the East Coast, so had not visited the gallery. The funny thing was, when Track 16 eventually posted photos of the displays in each room of the gallery, Mana 2 was pictured proudly hanging -- upside down! I guess Viggo didn't really care, as he was involved in the hanging. Perhaps his work is vertically reversible!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

That is really interesting . . . thanks so much for sharing.

I think some of Viggo's paintings are definitely abstract enough that they could be presented either way up . . . no disrespect meant, just a feeling!! So it was wonderful to have "life imitate art" here, and see your true experience mirrored in my drabble! Who'd have guessed? *grins*

Lucky you, though, owning a Viggo print - I've only seen them in books, so you must be very proud.

Thanks again for the feedback! :)

[redminerva17.livejournal.com]

I do feel very fortunate to have Mana 2 -- never dreamed I would ever be able to afford such a treasure, let alone one I've loved so much. Not something I'm likely to be able to repeat, however!

I can definitely picture Viggo enjoying something from a different perspective, and indeed encouraging it. This reminds me of a story about Gene Roddenberry, when he was in the process of creating the original Star Trek. He asked someone to come up with alien plants, and one fellow brought him a typical potted something or other. Incensed, Gene pulled the plant out of the pot, stuck it back in upside down with the roots at the top, and said, "Now THAT's alien!" Somehow, I can see Viggo appreciating that point of view.

(However, I still prefer Mana 2 right side up! )

Love this!

[earthtomom.livejournal.com]

I love this story! :)

Love
Sarah

Re: Love this!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for commenting - glad you enjoyed!

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

*howls* Wonderful stuff! I can so see them doing this. Great response to the challenge!

I for one would not be able to tell if a lot of Viggo's paintings were the right way up - I am not a fan... ;) But I adore his photographs. Behind a lens is where his true artistry shows in my opinion...

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Aww thank you! It's wonderful I could make you laugh!!

I have to agree - would we indeed know whether the abstract paintings were upside down or not??? *grins*