Ernst Altien

Meeting after the exhibition in Roskilde 12. November 2011.

Ernst could not or would not show up to receive his reward at the juried exhibition. Instead we met at a café in Copenhagen some hours later. He had chosen the place, a rather ragged room, and he greeted me with a wry smile. – so you did go, he said, thank you very much. How did things turn out?

I told him and he smiled again. - seems like our ball room days are just beginning, my friend. But let us beware, it is all gifts and life and life only.

When I asked him about his plans and his general whereabouts, he got rather vague. – yes, I am very glad I got the award, but you know, I just follow my whims and go where the tide takes me, anyway my  newest works and the delicate beauty I strive towards,  will set at standard for my work in the time to come.  I will get in contact, and be sure, I will not leave for as long as last time, when you had to search for me.

Last time he disappeared for more than a year, and I had to broadcast an SOS message for him on www.youtube.com    Sitting there at the old worn table with so many hours and fates imbedded in the surface from guests through many years, I got an eerie feeling, that time had been suspended, and we would talk for ever. But after discussing our lives at length, he left. I saw him fade out in the street and felt like in Pylos, Greece, where I travelled to ask the wise Nestor about another person missing, just like Telemachos did so many years before.

Before Ernst was completely gone, he turned and raised his hand, and I waived back.