The Metamorphosis Defined study developed out of my polluted Salt Flat Photography. The reflection work is created by mirroring abstract nature photography. I noticed many correlations and synchronous events during the time it took to uncover this collection. Faced with some startling parallels and unconscious contents now conscious, I began to try and understand what drove me to to find, capture and create this study.
[singlepic id=1433 w=230 h=370 float=left]This study as a whole was unconsciously projected out while I was researching psychological and spiritual transformation processes. The photograph, Metamorphosis I, appears to me as a polluted human cocoon. What startled me most, and which I hoped for, was the emergence of a Butterfly or Dragonfly within the montage set. A metamorphic entity is born in the visions. The metamorphosis spreads to the minds of others through the wings of transformation. Duality dies and Unity is born through understanding the balance between physical and metaphysical pollutions.
Metamorphosis I: Amniotic Reflection. A polluted human cocoon. The title ‘Amniotic Reflection’ is my interpretation of an idea expressed by psychologist Stanislav Grof. Stanislav has many theories in relation to altered states of consciousness and transpersonal psychology. He believes that through certain techniques we may be able to re-experience our prenatal and birthing processes. If Grof’s fascinating theories are true, then one would believe it is possible to reflect or remember our whole collective and planetary experience.
[singlepic id=1430 w=215 h=210 float=right]Metamorphosis II: Rebirth and Individuation. A metamorphic entity is born in the visions. Psychologically reliving the traumatic experience of birth may lead to life changing therapeutic benefits symbolizing a Spiritual Rebirth. From the perspective of Carl G. Jung, Individuation is a process of transformation whereby the personal and collective unconscious is brought into consciousness (by means of dreams, active imagination or free association) which leads to the stabilizing of the whole personality by becoming his or her ‘true self.’
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Metamorphosis III: Universal Transformation. The metamorphosis spreads to the minds of others through the wings of transformation. Through acceptance, the merging of archaic spiritual philosophies with modern day scientific theories may lead to the cultivation of a Global Spiritual Rebirth.
Metamorphosis IV: Genesis of Unity Consciousness. Duality dies and Unity is born through understanding the balance between physical and metaphysical pollutions. Following a spiritual global shift, the human mind may reach multiple planes of consciousness simultaneously. If we are successful in ascending our dilemmas of duality, a unified consciousness may be the next evolutionary step.
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Thank you, that was a very interesting read.. You explore and also discover/create these patterns not only as part of your artistic expression but also identifying continually who we are and our potential. It’s very inspiring. You made me discover that pollution is actually a source of (may be a raw material) for reaching harmony. If we are aware of our conditioning, we can always reach harmony by recreating from the pollution and that every phase is dynamic. It can multiply itself or it can use/add more pollution to reach/evolve to higher planes. And all these happen simultaneously. Imanaka! I guess if you search this word, you will not regret it 🙂 It’s a perception of time in Shinto religion. Somei Satoh is inspired by this concept while composing his music.