 :::PILOT PROJECT::: |
| Introduction |
| Workshop Guidelines |
| Panels and Participants |
| Chatroom & Workshops |
| How to make an icon |
| Using Templates |
| Examples |
| Workshop Galleries |
| Pilot FAQ |
| Pilot Feedback |
| :::THE PROJECT::: |
|
| :::ADMIN ISSUES::: |
| Editor |
:::Icons versus Images of Women:::
Design showing the different positions of the sample panels for In the Womb of The Rose
Rose windows were traditionally designed as a hierarchy starting in the middle with the image of the Godhead (Christ or the Virgin Mary and moving out through the different stages from angels, prophets saints to the world of being.
In the Womb of the Rose uses a hierarchy of mythical to real with the Cosmic Egg in the Centre, Archetypal goddess images revolve around the egg and then heroines from the stories of myth and fable. Finally leading to the work of real women in the real world.
Traditionally icons never represent real people - even if they are based on a real person - like the Virgin Mary. This way they allow the viewer to extend into another reality which is mythical but grounded in an understanding of real energies in the world. Everything is celebrated as a representation of an archetypal power - whether negative or positive.
Modern 'icons' make idols of images of famous women - for instance, Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana had the role of contemporary 'goddess' when alive. But such 'icons' are always bound by the times and obey the dictates of fashion. They will not have meaning outside the period of their influence. A real icon cannot date as it reflects the constant character of the deity - be it the destructive power of Kali or the compassion of the Virgin Mary.
For this reason there are no representations of real women in the rose window. Just symbolic figures representing either mythical goddess figures or general work and activity.
For the sacred artist in traditional design making an icon demanded a sacrifice of the ego - often copying from a template handed down through generations. Although icons have styles and undergo change and development through the centuries they never deviate so far from the traditional image as to unrecognizable to the worshipper.
Level 1 - Archetypal/goddess
From the heart seven archetypal 'goddesses'
radiate and appear to be growing out of the earth - being half figures
of torsos and arms. They emerge into a landscape which changes with
the waning and waxing of the moon to represent the seven phases of a
woman's life. Figures from various ancient traditions represent these
stages as there are few modern day figures that encompass their lost
powers over both life and death. They were part of a time when there
was no dualistic separation between good and evil, dark and light, heaven
and earth, spirit and matter. Level 2 - Mythical/Heroine These are seven mythic 'Heroine' figures taken
from legend. They may be actual historical persons - like Boadicea or
Joan of Arc - who have attained mythic status or they may be mythical
figures who need redemption from a negative past like Lilith. There
are many examples of heroine figures in legends across the world and
more suggestions are welcome. These panels would also be single figures but
full length and have red backgrounds. The Satellite circles and tracery
insets should contain appropriate figurative or abstract images. Level 3 - Women's Work These are 14 panels on the outer circle that
would represent women's work in the world at present day. This should
cover the whole spectrum from farming to factory work, education to
politics. These panels are the largest and could contain groups - it
would necessarily include the 'unpaid' work of women in the raising
and feeding of their families as well as their work in in present day
. The backgrounds of these should be green. The
Satellite circles and diamond inset in the tracery panels can have any
appropriate symbolic or abstract image that would support meaning of
the subject. Booklist Baring, A. and Cashford, J. (1993) The Myth
of the Goddess - Evolution of an Image, Penguin Books, Arkana London.
Getty, A.(1990) Goddess - Mother of Living Nature, Thames and
Hudson, London.
Warner, M. (1985) Monuments and Maidens - The Allegory of
the Female Form, Picador - London.
©DA Whitbread MA(RCA), School of Arts, Design, Media and Culture, University of Sunderland, UK. June 1st, 2006