Animistic Sculpture

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious....
..He to whom this emotion is a stranger,
who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe,
 is as good as dead; his eyes are closed" 

ALBERT  EINSTEIN

 'Animistic sculpture' is a  term coined for what resulted from an 

creative adventure taken in an attempt to appreciate ( albeit to a small degree) 

Australian Aborigines'  understanding  of nature as mythology.



 

The Swamp Demon

 from 

Dungeoness

This unusual piece of wood was washed up on the shores of Hinchenbrook Channel  at the  small village of  Dungeoness  in far  north Queensland.  It was found well above high water mark, where it had been left 'high and dry'  by storm surge.  

Its visual likeness  to the  fish, whose image evolved into the powerful Rainbow Serpent in Aboriginal mythology many thousands of years ago is remarkable. 

In a report in the November 1996 issue of Archaeology in Oceania, it is explained how the Rainbow Serpent image derived from a  species of  pike fish. The representation of this  ambiguous creature in 'dreamtime' provided the impetus for unity and peace amongst Aboriginal tribes, whose land was overtaken by a rising sea level over 6,000 years ago. The pike-fish traveled landward in very shallow water as the sea inevitably engulfed  various neighboring tribal land.

According to the extensive scientific study, the aborigines of Gondwanaland   created a dynamic  powerful  symbolism from the pike fish  which lasts to this day. 

Through  the 'religious'  phenomenon of common symbolic identification, represented through art and mythology they were able to deal collectively with great social upheaval and turmoil brought about by the sea level rise. 

One may ask -Does the revival of the Rainbow Serpent symbol today amongst aboriginal communities offer  people  an ideal by which they can unite peacefully in the face of the profound social change that is likely to be brought about by human induced climatic change and associated sea level rise? 

The timely discovery of the “Swamp Demon”, with its stern expression-   can warn one of the need to take heed. 

Townsville, Queensland,  Australia 1996
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

       

The Beast of Confusion

The 'Beast of Confusion' was discovered accidentally by marine researchers during field work in the mosquito and crocodile infested swamps of a remote part of northern Australia. It since has been removed and transported south for display. 

At first sight the beholder is surprised by, and immediately identifies with, an expression of glee and joy.  On further investigation a more sinister perspective of the human emotion is represented.  From this other angle, the large twisted driftwood appears as a head of a beast, with a gaping mouth and contorted nostrils.   It portrays the intense human emotion of  terror. 

Between the two extremes of expression so closely portrayed, one may ask how far apart are these human emotions?  The human identity and environment are being manipulated at an alarming rate by modern medicine, technology and media. This  phenomena often can  lead  people  to a  predicament that is emotionally disorienting and confusing. 

By inciting the imagination and emotion of admirers irrespective of cultural background, this unique "artwork of nature" provides an immediate opportunity  for the  ‘foreign’  appreciation of the ancient mythology of the Australian aboriginal Dreamtime - the timeless connection with the beautiful yet harsh landscape of Goonawanland. 

Mark Fabbro. The Epicentre, Byron Bay NSW Australia 1997

 

 

Sculpture by Marco Fabbro, September 2006
President Towers, Darling Point, Sydney, Australia

To interpret the sculpture from the top down, there are 3 superior points- the number 'Three' in numerology is a masculine symbol of God (in particular his genitals, in relation to creation). Pictorially any two points look like Horns and are reminiscent of the pagan 'Horned God'. The body of the sculpture is circular, the circle being symbolic of the Goddess (in particular her womb, in relation to recreation). Pictorially the body spiral's down into the ground ("a realm of great mystery" and symbolic of death). On the ground are lights representing fire -another symbol of death from the 'realm of great mystery'. Now reverse and start from the bottom up. The lights now can be seen as inspirational, the body of the Goddess is spiralling upwards recreating, and at the top emerges the Horned God.

The Descent of the Goddess

In ancient times, our Lord, the Horned One, was (and still is) the Consoler, the Comforter. But men know him as the dread Lord of Shadows, lonely, stern, and just.

But our Lady the Goddess would solve all mysteries, even the mystery of death; and so she journeyed to the Underworld.

The Guardian of the Portals challenged her: "Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels; for naught mayest thou bring with thee into this our land". So she laid down garments and jewels, and was bound, as all living must be who seek to enter the realms of Death, the Mighty One.

Such was her beauty that Death himself knelt, and laid his sword and crown at her feet, and kissed her feet, saying: "Blessed Be thy feet that have brought thee in these ways. Abide with me; but let me place my cold hands on thy heart."

And she replied: "I love thee not. Why dost thou cause all things that I love, and take delight in, to fade and die?"

"Lady," replied Death, "it is age and fate, against which I am helpless. Age causes all things to wither; but when men die at the end of time, I give them rest and peace and strength, so that they may return. But you, you are lovely. Return not, abide with me.

But she answered: "I love thee not."

Then said Death: "An you receive not my hand on your heart, you must kneel to Death's scourge."

"It is fate, better so," she said, and she knelt.

And Death scourged her tenderly. And she cried: "I know the pangs of love."

And Death raised her, and said: "Blessed be." And gave her the fivefold salute, saying: "Thus only may you attain to joy, and knowledge."

And he taught her all of his mysteries, and he gave her the necklace which is the circle of rebirth. And she taught him all her mystery of the sacred cup which is the cauldron of rebirth.

They loved, and were one: for there be three great mysteries in the life of man, and magic controls them all. To fulfil love, you must return again at the same time and at the same place as the loved ones; and you must meet, and know, and remember, and love them again.

But to be reborn, you must die, and be made ready for a new body. And to die, you must be born; but without love, you may not be born.

And our Goddess ever inclineth to love, and mirth, and happiness; and guardeth and cherisheth her hidden children in life, and in death she teacheth the way to her communion; and even in this world she teacheth them the mystery of the magic Circle, which is placed between the world of men and of the gods"