Huacas and Sirenas

I had a large frame (32 by 43 inch) and was unable to use for any photographic prints I can do in my darkroom. So, decided to use 4 cottontail skins to form an irregular canvas for painting.

I had no plan when I decided to paint. “Will build the plane as I fly”, I concluded.

Unannounced, a Southwestern man appeared on the left. I gave him a well groomed mustache and beard. Something was missing – so I thought a cigarillo will help with his intense look.

But what was he looking at or for?

Slowly, the theme of smoke suspended in the air made its way to a phantasmagorical flying naked woman. Hmm. Maybe that is what he was looking at or for. But the woman took on a man’s face, and picked up a cigarillo, too! Now I needed wings. What else to make the scene more eclectic than using two hare tails as wings!

Who was this woman? After a few minutes of thinking (what was I thinking, really?!) I decided she was one of many such fantasy creatures flying toward the man’s mind. So, two more women showed up flying behind her…

… When folks visit my studio, this is the one they stop to look for a while. Their first focus is the larger view—they see various forms in the skin patchwork. “Fish” and “unicorn” are common interpretations.

When I tell them to look closer, they often ask “What is this all about?”

My answer is always the same “No idea!!”

 October 14, 2017

© Vahé A. Kazandjian, 2017