Meaning of "Art Exhibit" by Young The Giant

The lyrics of "Art Exhibit" explore the theme of nostalgia and the disillusionment that can come with it. The narrator sees a picture and watches a movie that commemorate a person they were once close to, evoking memories of happier times. The picture, exhibited at an art exhibit on memory lane, represents a moment frozen in time that was filled with joy. The person in the picture is wearing bells found on Champs-Élysées, symbolic of happiness and celebration. However, the image is "framed like the golden masters," suggesting that the person's happiness in that moment has been preserved, but forgotten over time.

Similarly, the movie represents an idealized version of the person, portrayed as a hero who saves the world and brings harmony. The success of the movie, with blockbuster sales in multiple countries, highlights the admiration and recognition the person received. However, the memories associated with the person and their achievements are falling like rain, perhaps fading away or losing their significance.

The repetition of being on the narrator's back emphasizes their feelings of emptiness and stagnation. The hole in the ceiling that they stare at represents a void, a lack of purpose or meaning. The words they once used to describe their connection with the person now hold no meaning, reflecting the disillusionment and loss of connection they feel.

Overall, the lyrics suggest that nostalgia can sometimes distort reality and create a sense of longing for an idealized past. Memories can lose their luster over time, and the narrator is left grappling with the emptiness and lack of purpose that comes with clinging to memories that no longer hold the same meaning.