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labornthyn β€” Ouroboros of Life and Death

Published: 2008-05-24 00:14:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 22970; Favourites: 544; Downloads: 1
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Description I keep destroying the new pieces I am trying to complete, so until the gods of ink smile upon me again, I will release another oldie that was crucial to my artistic evolution.

Piece begun in summer 2001, in Rome, completed in Sana'a, Yemen in early winter 2002. On this drawing I began migrating into using larger size rapidograph tips like the 0.3 and the 0.5, combining them with the 0.1; it's funny, but I was so attached to the 0.1 up to that point, that I had to force myself to try out the larger tips. This drawing perhaps reflects the different stages of human existence, symbolized by obvious devices such as the fetus, but also stranger images such as 'flayed' torso; and heraldic insects (death's head moth, and bee) and of course the labyrinth. The black backgrounds and part of the ouroboros are completely textured by rapidograph strokes, in a very laborious but meditative process.

0.1, 0.3, 0.5 rapidgraph, ink, two connected A3 bristol sheets
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Comments: 190

mathismondhut In reply to ??? [2008-05-29 10:14:25 +0000 UTC]

thats amazing....I have not so much time but I will check this work out later again..and absob its meaning and feeling...

the butterfly (dont know the enlgishword right now...in german: "nachtfalter")Β΄catched my eye right at the start, feels good..no other place in the world where it should be..

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liviaa In reply to ??? [2008-05-28 22:38:10 +0000 UTC]

great and interesting work. I love your style, and I can well imagine the quantity of time you need to finish a drawing. You began this in Rome and finished it is Sana, this is fascinating, bravo' !!! You style and ideas are excellent

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labornthyn In reply to liviaa [2008-05-29 05:19:00 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks for your comment, glad you like the drawing. It must have taken 3 or 4 months. The moment I finished it in Sana'a, the muezzin was calling to prayer in the early AM. I just put the drawing up in the alcove and stared at it by candlelight. It was a magical moment.

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liviaa In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-29 07:21:09 +0000 UTC]

oh how lovely..... You have a real "feeling" with your creations, that's absolutely lovely. You transmit something, that's what I felt when discovering you.

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lhwolf In reply to ??? [2008-05-26 21:39:03 +0000 UTC]

fichissimo

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MartinSilvertant [2008-05-26 14:41:01 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely amazing work! Stunning details, composition and symbolism.

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tiamat9 In reply to ??? [2008-05-25 22:51:31 +0000 UTC]

Stunningly detailed and designed. I love the motifs and formation. Complex and creative visuals.

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obleakpattern [2008-05-25 22:03:52 +0000 UTC]

truly epic and beautiful... microcosm macrocosm.
my eyes were lost in this for awhile.. so many small hidden places...

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Dr-Twistid In reply to ??? [2008-05-25 06:05:20 +0000 UTC]

sweet jesus candycanes this is amazing

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labornthyn In reply to Dr-Twistid [2008-05-26 23:25:28 +0000 UTC]

Thanks man!! This fucker is old though!! Looks kinda ragged to me...

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Dr-Twistid In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-27 01:06:15 +0000 UTC]

your very welcome
old maybe but the details are still great

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g000ldie In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 22:58:00 +0000 UTC]

beautiful!!

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labornthyn In reply to g000ldie [2008-05-25 02:39:05 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!!

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DiegoTripodi In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 20:39:55 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic work... this would make for awesome artwork for a record... (but it'd have to be vinyl, so that the large format would let us appreciate all the detail...)

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labornthyn In reply to DiegoTripodi [2008-05-26 18:40:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, man, I'd love to see this on multi-gatefold album cover of some weird doomful tunes. Comment and fave much appreciated!!

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DiegoTripodi In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-27 03:59:35 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome!

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SunOwl In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 18:51:06 +0000 UTC]

The flayed section is a bit close to home for my liking.

Seriously though, another fantastic work. The bee section is absolutely brilliant! And as *giorjoe said, the texture on the background is great. The detail in the embryo section is astounding.

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labornthyn In reply to SunOwl [2008-05-24 19:47:41 +0000 UTC]

I know what you mean about the flayed section...it actually scares me. To tell you the truth, I was hesitant to post this drawing at first, because it felt so raw and painful. But I had to let it go. Thanks for you comments!

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SunOwl In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-25 09:35:28 +0000 UTC]

There is definitely something raw and painful about it as things like that don't usually 'touch' me.

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labornthyn In reply to SunOwl [2008-05-25 21:17:41 +0000 UTC]

I was suffering from giardia (nasty stomach bacteria) at the time, but it also prefigures other sufferings I would endure. Strange how art works...

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ninkira In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-31 00:22:53 +0000 UTC]

Oh no! That's terrible- I'm sorry you had to go through that.

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SunOwl In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-26 10:41:53 +0000 UTC]

It's not so difficult to see the manifestation of the giardia issue.

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n3i In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 13:18:18 +0000 UTC]

Amazing job,great detailedI really like the concept!

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labornthyn In reply to n3i [2008-05-24 19:48:27 +0000 UTC]

Glad you enjoy!! and thanks for faving!

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n3i In reply to labornthyn [2008-05-25 14:07:35 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!!

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selfregion In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 07:49:00 +0000 UTC]

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labornthyn In reply to selfregion [2008-05-24 19:49:01 +0000 UTC]

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irasueva In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 07:35:40 +0000 UTC]

impressing, as usual

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labornthyn In reply to irasueva [2008-05-24 19:53:39 +0000 UTC]

Many thanks to you, I really appreciate this comment...

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OoooKATIoooO In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 03:44:38 +0000 UTC]

that's very powerful and magical!Great Work!

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labornthyn In reply to OoooKATIoooO [2008-05-24 19:51:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Kati!!

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Corviid In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 02:47:59 +0000 UTC]

I understand the hesitation - it seems to come with all new forms or even variations in media.

I love the texture you created with your strokes. There is a distinctive flow to this piece..it has a pulse all its own. Just looking at it is a meditation.

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labornthyn In reply to Corviid [2008-05-24 19:55:04 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the insightful comment...and yeah, it takes me forever to switch media. I am currently going through this process with the brush. Giving up rapido is crazy, but for the greater good!! And it is slowly paying off...brush is more than I ever could have imagined when I took it up three years ago.

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1a-2a In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 01:51:36 +0000 UTC]

This is really intricate/ inspirational()...but to my dismay my new project is about life and death...

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labornthyn In reply to 1a-2a [2008-05-24 19:52:34 +0000 UTC]

It's strange when drawings come out the way they come out...it is hard to separate what the pen does from what is going on deep in the heart...I am excited to see your new work, and thanks for commenting on this one...

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giorjoe In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 01:16:01 +0000 UTC]

Magnificent piece Joseph! Full of intriguing symbolism.

The elaborate details and the way they sum up to a whole is truly ingenious! I especially like the way you gave texture to the black background. I don't think it would have occurred to me to do so.

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labornthyn In reply to giorjoe [2008-05-24 19:51:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the comment, I am very glad you enjoy it...

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Ballistyc In reply to ??? [2008-05-24 00:56:51 +0000 UTC]

This is my favourite piece of yours so far....
I just spent the last 15 minutes becoming lost in it's structure.
I think Robert Smithson once described his "Spiral Jetty" as a "dormant quake"........I think such a contradictory analogy could also be used to describe the resonance of your piece..
"the silence before the storm" if you may....
I love it...
take care....drive safely

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labornthyn In reply to Ballistyc [2008-05-24 19:50:27 +0000 UTC]

I think you've got a very insightful look into this piece...this one makes me feel nervous...thanks for writing!

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