In "Hey Good Looking," the carousel becomes a symbol of childhood innocence and carefree delight. A momentary escape from reality. A brief respite from the trials and tribulations of life. Seen here ferrying a small dinosaur skeleton round and round, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. Adorned with a blue bow, the dinosaur becomes an even more playful nod to the curious nature of existence - the juxtaposition of life and death, the transient and the eternal.
The carousel is not just a ride, but a menagerie - butterflies, cheetahs, chimps, and lizards - representing the diversity and interconnectedness of life. The three adults, dressed in fabulous clothes to momentarily recapture their youth, embody the human desire for joy, connection, celebration and without any kids in the scene, we find this carousel ride speaks to the mercurial nature of the ageing process. With each revolution of the carousel, we find a mirror of passing years. And with each passing year we wonder, will we become who we hoped we would? Will we ever settle into our own skin and find happiness within? All of these present and critical personal challenges are given the space to let go at carnivals and funfairs. So while ageing is often associated with decline and loss, it’s reimagined here with grace and love — as a callback journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
