Earth, spirit and gender: Visual language for the new reality [Textbook Binding]

Kyra Belán (Author), Kyra Belan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997

This book examines and interprets world mythologies, symbols, and archetypes focusing on spirituality, sensuality, and matriarchal origins of civilization. The author applies research to her art by exploring various aspects of postmodernism.

This text has 76 color and black and white images.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kyra Beln's compelling visual imageryat times socially provocative in theme, at times aesthetically spellbinding through sheer virtuosity of techniquehas long fascinated art historians. Now an illuminating explication of the multi-layered content comes from the artist herself in what could be described as a combination of philo-(not psycho) autobiography and social-ecological manifestoes for the 21st century. Deeply-held convictions concerning the agency of artist as shaman and bridge animate the choice of medium (installation, site, and performance as well as traditional easel art) while the subject matterkeyed to revivifying primal mythologiesranges from closely-viewed flowers, snakes, owls, and parrots to figurated fields of voluptuous male nudes observed through the female gaze. Historically buttressed, yet anchored in a realistic critique of today's social mores, Beln's challenging call for universal harmony offers a vision of the future in which, through the medium of a new visual language, sensuality and spirituality can joyously co-exist. -- (Alessandra Comini, Distinguished Professor of Art History, Southern Methodist University

From the Author

We are currently experiencing an accelerated shift in consciousness and spirituality which I describe and extrapolate in my book. By re-interpreting and revitalizing our mythological heritage, I promote the empowerment of women and the liberation of both women and men from the intellectual grip of social stereotyping. I also pay tribute to the beauty and sanctity of Mother Earth. The images in the book are based on universal, matriarchal and multicultural mythologies that I re-interpret for readers who are seeking to get away from the restraints of a stale social system in order to liberate themselves and unlock their creativity.

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Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 210 pages
• Publisher: American Heritage Custom Pub; 1 edition (September 1, 1997)
• ISBN-10: 0828108358
• ISBN-13: 978-0828108355
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,247,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)