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Babylon
This picture has the feeling of deliberate assembly on at least three
levels.
Conceptually the approach is literary and cerebral, "a pictorial
representation" of the topic. The choice of subject plays directly on
the occurance of the word "mystery" in a passage from the Old Testament.
This passage, with its various ambiguities and allegories,
provides the basis for the picture. Eichenberg introduces his own
symbolism to interpret the "vision" in the text. Skulls represent dead
mortals, lotus's stand for purity, multiple limbs signal the
metaphysics of the central figure.
Artistically the symmetrical composition references both western and
eastern religious allegories and helps integrate the mix of visual
elements. The picture contains a lot of information yet it is well
ordered and carefully staged. It looks more precise than real.
LIghting is adapted to effect. Cool highlights give a porcelain quality
to the bodies of the celestial figures. Earthy color and warm chariscuro
gives an organic quality to the skeletal mortals. The saturated
primaries are kept to broad and well defined areas. The red of the
beast is particularily effective between the cyans of the figures and
the earth tones of the background.
Technically, program loops build pictorial density and invite closer
scrutiny. The approach is to assemble a mix of found and original
objects with well crafted texturing and lighting. The emphasis is on
pictorial effect rather than technical purity. The accompanying text
documents the sources of the various elements as faithfully as it
describes their symbolic meanings.
-Jim
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Jim Charter wrote:
>
>Conceptually the approach is literary and cerebral, "a pictorial
>representation" of the topic. The choice of subject plays directly on
>the occurance of the word "mystery" in a passage from the Old Testament.
>This passage, with its various ambiguities and allegories,
>provides the basis for the picture.
Concept was the strongest category of this image for me. As pointed out in
the textfile, this passage has had numerous interpretations. Just to take
on such a broadly worded theme would be challenging, and to pull it off
this well gets high marks indeed. The artist's interpretation is valid and
supports his description quite well.
>
>Artistically the symmetrical composition references both western and
>eastern religious allegories and helps integrate the mix of visual
>elements. The picture contains a lot of information yet it is well
>ordered and carefully staged.
The artistic category was IMO the weakest part of this image. While the
biblical passage the image describes is dynamic and portentious, the
sraight on camera view freezes the scene, taking away much of the dynamics.
As you say, "carefully staged", but a little too staged for me. It feels
more like an archeological textbook photo than an artistic expression.
Moving the camera to the left or right would open up the scene and provide
a sense of impending movement and portent more in keeping with the theme.
>Technically, program loops build pictorial density and invite closer
>scrutiny. The approach is to assemble a mix of found and original
>objects with well crafted texturing and lighting.
Technically superb. Well modelled, well lighted and well textured. While
nothing particularly stands out, the overall mix of elements shows a
mastery of many techniques, and the high level of detail shows this mastery
off very effectively. And getting all those arms on the Poser figure
without leaving noticable creases or artifacts can't have been easy.
Overall an excellent image.
RG
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