This piece was written for Jenne Gray and C E Ayr’s weekly Unicorn challenge to write up to 250 words based on a photo prompt.
So where is this masterpiece you promised me, Leonardo?
You’re looking at it.
I can’t see anything except a ladder leaning against a wall.
That’s it. That’s your masterpiece, as ordered. ‘Ladder’ by da Vinci.
But it’s just a ladder. Did you make it?
No, I found it here. It’s called found art or objet trouvé as the French would have it. I’m an artist. I found it. Ipso facto, it’s found art. Did you bring the 50 florins?
You have to be joking. You expect me to pay you 50 quid for a ladder?
But it’s not ladder now, is it? It’s a da Vinci. Look, it’s against the rules for a found object but I’ll sign it somewhere discrete, so only the cognoscenti know. That’ll add even more value. I reckon that piece will double in price by next week. Canny investment that.
Not happening, Leo. You can keep your 5 quid deposit I paid and I’ll take the ladder. The gardener can always use at my villa.
Wait, you can’t move it, mate. It’s an installation. If you take it away it won’t be found art anymore.
Well, people can still come around to my place and see it. I’ll even tell the gardener to leave it leaning against a wall when he’s finished. Then if some muppet wants to fork out 50 quid for it I’ll split it with you. Can’t say fairer than that.
Philistine!
Six Crooked Highways 
I found it first!
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You expect me to believe you, on April Fool’s Day? 🙂
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I can’t help but chuckle at the exchange between the character and Leonardo da Vinci. It’s incredible how the artist can turn a simple ladder into a masterpiece by claiming it as found art. It’s also interesting how the concept of art and its value is being challenged in this conversation. It makes me wonder about the role of perception and context in art, and how it can completely change how we see and value things. Overall, this conversation shows the wit and humor of the author and leaves me pondering the complexities of art and its worth. 👍👏👌😊
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Many thanks, Pankaj. I’m glad it made you laugh and think.
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‘Eye of the Beholder, yo’
(Let the patron/investor beware!)
lol
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Indeed. 🙂
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I really enjoyed the first 20 words of this story, Doug 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Installation art well and truly penned – oops, sorry, panned!
Thanks for joining in, Doug.
You made me smile.
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A finger in the eye of modern artisans. Love it!
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Follow back ❤️
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