This is a collaboration with photographer Vincent Keith.
It happens very rare but sometimes when I see someone else's work, I feel some strange desire to put it in a different context. The original photo contained only the nude figure soaked in a black background and the first word that went through my mind was WOMB. Then I shared my idea with Vincent and he gave me the full size photo and it stayed on my hard drive for months because every time I tried to add something I felt like I was ruining things. And I realized that it already was what I wanted it to be. So I almost gave up.
At the same time, I was working on a personal project, which started a long time ago and was basically about mythology and depicting various deities. I spent years studying myths and cultures, from ancient to modern superhero stuff. During this time I discovered a fascinating author called Joseph Campbell, whose books literary translated the idea of the divine and its role in human culture. I felt like a brand new world was rising in front of my eyes. This doesn't mean I became religious, I simply began to understand the human urge to see and depict things and ideas which are larger than life itself.
It pretty amazing how many of our activities rely on exaggerations. Sometimes exaggerations are deeply rooted in the foundations of our own existence. You see the Moon rising up and it's more than a celestial body wandering in space, even though you know it is just that. Just imagine what the world would look like if we strip all meanings from the exaggerations they contain. I am pretty sure no human can survive in a world like that.
And with this starting point in mind, I became addicted to any kind of myths and studies about them. I thought I could translate some of my thoughts visually, although the higher abstraction of images is something of a trap. Without letters, your original idea, can be misunderstood, ignored or praised for the wrong reasons. Just like religion treats its icons, depictions of divinity are always destined to change their meaning and fluctuate in the perception of the mind as it evolves and moves through time.
The world is full with symbols and shapes of meaning that sparkle and shimmer every time an analytical mind tries to touch them. It's very close to quantum mechanics - things have meanings only when you observe them. The world has a meaning only when you observe it, too. Without exaggeration, we're lost. Our atoms are lost, all the Universe is too.
(Actually this is quite funny - I am trying to write an introduction to my Mythology series since a lot of time and I can see writing it here, where I least expect it.)
Anyway, this is Zeus. He's the omnipotent one. When he says something, you better do it because he'll grill you for breakfast.
This made me laugh. First off, I really like the dash of humor added to this with the "Mortals Only". I normally don't like realism much in Photomanips, but this one I can make an exception for. The lighting is fantastic, and the composition is awesome. I like the small additions such as the books in greek, the mathematical equations, and clock in the background. And even the tattoo on his arm adds a splash of modern to this image. Great job Alpha.
posted 23 Mar 2008
alpha Thanks, devian! You have such a keen eye for details! And I'm very happy you appreciate the humour as well. :)
So many different elements and little details which are so key to really bringing this piece to life. I am really hoping you might do an entire series on the greek gods and goddesses possibly?
Athena, Poseidon.. oh the list goes on.
posted 17 Jul 2008
alpha Thanks, Keith! The series is slowly taking shape, you can see the most of the finished works in my projects page. It takes an awful lot of time, though. Or maybe I'm too lazy. :)
posted 10 Aug 2008
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This is a collaboration with photographer Vincent Keith.
