With cities, it is as with dreams: everything imaginable can be dreamed, but even the most unexpected dream is a rebus that conceals a desire or, its reverse, a fear. Cities, like dreams, are made of desires and fears, even if the thread of their discourse is secret, their rules are absurd, their perspectives deceitful, and everything conceals something else.
In Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities," the author draws a parallel between cities and dreams, suggesting both are constructs of human imagination filled with desires and fears. He posits that every city, much like a dream, embodies not just aspirations but also hidden anxieties which shape their essence. The complexities of urban life reflect these inner workings, presenting a tapestry where every element has deeper meanings and implications.
Calvino emphasizes that the nature of cities is often enigmatic; their narratives can be nonsensical, and their appearances may be misleading. This concealment of truth beneath layers of symbolism prompts readers to recognize that the true essence of a city is found beyond its surface. The exploration of cities, therefore, becomes an introspective journey into human emotions and psychological landscapes.
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