Altered art book page 13 A deadly reminder’

 

 

page-13-altered book

 

The chosen words are: –

‘He listened to his father breathing’

‘And made plans for that lonliness’

 

 

valley-of-the-kings

 

The Egytians made plans for their  death.  They left nothing to chance.    Sometimes a whole lifetime was dedicated to their own rememberence:   Egypt is full of these reminders.

 

 

page13-skeleton detail

 

Memento Mori: this means ‘Remember you will die’ or ‘Be mindful of death‘.  The symbols associated with this reminder of mortality are skulls, clocks, hourglasses, flowers. Sometimes wine, books, musical instruments.   served as ‘vanities’, a reminder of worldly pleasures.

 

‘and made plans for that loneliness’

What does this mean though?  Does it mean coming to terms with eventual death? It could mean a physical reminder that lives on when we are no more. Surely we live on in the hearts of people who love  us?  Why would we need a tangible reminder?

p13-skeleton detail2

Sometimes a place or a memorial can act as a focus.  Like a gravestone, a grave, somewhere we can feel close to the person, as well as a written reminder for others, that our loved ones existed: a way of them living forever: enjoying everlasting life.  On a large scale, the Taj Mahal, India  reminds the world of the undying love of Shahjahan and his beautiful queen Mumtaz.

 

 

taj mahal

 

One of the Ancient Wonders of the Old World was The Mausoleum of Helicarnassus, Bodrum Turkey.  It started out as a memorial for the Persian King Mausolus, by his wife/sister Artimisia.  But when she died, became a mixture of all different styles as artist continued with their own ideas.

 

 

mausoleum-bodrum-halicarnassus turkey

 

Media used; ink, card, gem stone, silk flower, fabric,organza ribbon (wings) and handmade paper stamped with vercemark and chalked.

to be continued……