Where there are crowds of people, there are Meta-narratives and cultural narratives. We can't help but look with our own lenses. Symbols and colors mean different things to different people. Personal experience with, brainwashing, or levels of curiosity form our beliefs about specific symbols. I know that such beliefs can be automatic, sometimes unconscious and even subconscious.
Still, I was surprised at how many sideways glances I received while drawing today. I even heard the word "Mystic" muttered, a term which I find flattering, yet it was definitely not spoken with kind intent. Big deal, so I put a blue star in a circle? I think it looks like an abstract version of Michelangelo's Perfect Man. To me, it says, "Here I am, God." "I am ready!" "I am a star in God's heaven!" Viewed from the other side of my drawing, some might say it looks occultist, or satanic, referring to what they know to be true about pentagrams. (Go ahead, click on the link...I promise your hand won't start burning. Scroll down and you will see several examples of cultures and religions who have "claimed" the symbol throughout history.)
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I was unable to finish my drawing. Too hot and tired. And I don't even really like it. Next time I will plan better. |
When thoughts strike me while looking at symbols or considering other forms of art, I ask myself lots of questions. Why is that the first thing that came to mind? From where might that thought originate? What is my meaning and what other meanings might there be? Do I want to privilege my own meaning? What does this say about me? Might this say more about me than its original intent? These types of conversations are exactly why I look at symbols and other forms of art which stand the test of time.



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Me and my Coco. |
2 comments:
Oh, my. It was so hot out there yesterday! I don't know how anyone could stay there and draw. Chloe's drawing was magnificent! It was too hot to ask you to explain your drawing even though I wanted to. I thought I could ask you later. Thanks for sharing this post--I knew the piece held a lot of meaning for you!
Blue star in a circle? Reminds me of a Sheriff or Texas Ranger, not the o-cult. ;-)
Lara
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