We were searching for the missing piece that would make us "artists" and solidify our identity, striving to become those who truly understand their purpose and desires in this vast world. Yet, we had no idea how to find that final piece. Theodore advised: Be wary of resistance to instrumental rationality, the fragmentation of life experiences, critical reflection and self-awareness, non-uniqueness, and dialectical tension. Don't fall into the trap of all-encompassing social perspectives. Perhaps my co-religionists have a unified and evolved understanding of identity on its own; but when Art honors their presence, they begin to lose their pieces one by one. You will be left with no choice but to trust in the critical algorithm.

So, we reassembled the entire puzzle of the artist's identity, connecting the pieces with the map of the ship of Theseus. Once again, we reached the end, only to find that something was still missing. This time, it wasn't just a piece; it was one of us. One of us was absent.

Sheyda Bordbar