Bastardization of the Goddess...?

[piratess]

I hope this is the appropriate place to get other viewpoints on this, so here goes:

I am about to be in an art show, in a matter of days now, and for my theme I choose to do a sort of bastardization of the triple Goddess. Though it relates more to negative aspects of women's roles in relation to the maiden, mother and crone, and it is steeped in feminist theory, the tri-Goddess has been a huge inspiration for this idea. Right now, I don't feel my ideas are very solid, sadly.

It's been a bit difficult because I feel this subject spans in so many directions it is hard to even grasp the variety of depictions that the subject can conjure. As of now, I am wanting to use images of women and animals. The first, for the maiden, I somewhat based on Brian Eno lyrics, being "they said you were hot stuff, and that's what baby's been reduced to". I found often that the maiden in modern society has been lost under the rites of passage for women's sexuality which seems to pertain more to the external than the internal. Flowers, deer, dainty, vulnerable, strange, victimization if you will. The second is a nurse with angel wings with blood on her hands, and larvae everywhere behind her, very clinical, a very extreme version of motherhood that is based on expectation, consumption of the motherly role based on that expectation, to where it strangles and constricts not only the woman herself but also the family in which she needs to need her in order to feel worthy. The crone aspect has been slightly difficult for me, but I know there is so much sadness in growing old for many women who have viewed their looks as their most important aspect, and when they become less traditionally attractive throughout age, they often feel lost or become very jealous. I was thinking something involving scorpions, but I'm not sure.

Obviously, these are all extremes and I do not mean to say I see the majority of women in them, but I definitely am aiming for some darkness and a bit of horror movie camp as well, yet I want a deeper message to be underlying.

What are other elements (and even symbols) to the most extremely misunderstood and degraded versions of the tri-Goddess? I would love to hear anyone's input. Sorry again if I posted this in the wrong section.

[Philosophia]

What about breast feeding mothers (for the mother aspect)?
Sheila-na-gig is a good example of a goddess figure being disrespected.

[_Banbha_]

Sheila-na-gig is a good example of a goddess figure being disrespected.

Not by me.* :sniffsnif

I lurves the Sheela. :heartthro


* I do see your point. She is of a powerful figure though; if not loved by all.*

[piratess]

Not by me.* :sniffsnif

I lurves the Sheela. :heartthro


* I do see your point. She is of a powerful figure though; if not loved by all.*

With a Polly Jean cover for your icon, it is no surprise! I have known many a woman who respect and love Sheela as well. She's a good icon for many pro-sex feminists especially.

[Toby Stimpson]

Hmm its certainly an interesting experiment to be a apart of, you'll have to post some pics of your work when you are finished (or soemwhat feel they adequatly express your thoughts). I honstly am a little bafled and at a loss for words. I think, of what I am getting from your words is that you are looking for very constricting social roles normalized to be 'female' and what those then mean? Like the idea that only women can be nurses (which is so false, but the word nurse is commonly associated with female now becasue of social conditioning). Im almost wodnering if the whole role of kindergarten teacher could apply to this. I mean when you think about it, how many male kindergarten teachers are there? Why is that...and what commonly negetive stereotypes are put towards that? One I have heard is that female kindergarten eachers are lazy, or simple. So perhaps a kindergarten teacher, kids all around her with weary eyes and bags under her eyes...holding a parenting book in one hand, and a ruler in another. Or soemthing along those lines...I honestl;y am not quite sure what else to say other than tiotal support...it looks liek a great way of looking at the Devine in both society and in the individual looking at your pieces :).

Namaste

Tobias

[Philosophia]

What about the Goddess, Lilith?
Or even Hecate?
Both Goddesses have been disrespected and even hated...

[_Banbha_]

With a Polly Jean cover for your icon, it is no surprise! I have known many a woman who respect and love Sheela as well. She's a good icon for many pro-sex feminists especially.

:smile: She is but not everyone gets it. I think these crone Goddesses do have <power> of fear that comes from years of hatred and ignorance. The examples MM gives are perfect examples of this in Sheela, Hecate and Lilith. For some reason, they're among my favorites. :bigblue:

Baba Yaga in a babushka is a bastardized image, until you get too close that is. Her Chicken footed house or her riding in her morter and pedistle(SP?) is some interseting imagery.


I adore Medea too. Not the most iconic symbol of motherhood. :hehehehe:

[Tim]

Sheila-na-gig is a good example of a goddess figure being disrespected.
Disrespected? How do you mean?

[Philosophia]

Disrespected? How do you mean?

Some scholars have been quoted in saying her name translates to "the old hag of the breasts" which is false, and I've read somewhere about how she is not liked because of displaying an exagerated vulva.