"The very meaninglessness of life forces man to create his own meaning. The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent... but if we can come to terms with this indifference, then our existence as a species can have genuine meaning. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light." Stanley Kubrick, 1968

The renowned American director of 2001:A SPACE ODYSSEY is referring to the lights of knowledge, curiosity, exploration, and wisdom gained through experience. I originally wanted to title this painting “The Shining Path”, but I was concerned that people would erroneously connect the work to the infamous South American guerrilla movement. I found an approximate equivalent to the title in French, so I named it Le Chemin Allumée. French is an appropriate language to turn to, since Kubrick made a film titled PATHS OF GLORY which was about French soldiers in WWI. Of course, Kubrick also directed THE SHINING.