One of my current conceits is that, to the extent the needs of actuality permit, I am living an allegorical life. And to that end I willfully foster an active and uncritical collaboration between my conscious and unconscious faculties.
The image above is the most recent product of that collaboration. This exercise was kicked off by my attraction to a 1926 public domain photo by Eugène Atget called “St. Cloud” that provides the setting. Upon reflection it seemed to me that a wolf should be standing at the top of the near stairs. I found a stock photo of a wolf that had the right attitude, and I purchased a license to use it. Once the wolf was in place it seemed to me that he was looking at a raven in flight. Again, I found and licensed a stock photo that seemed properly expressive. But what was the handsome bird after or attracted to?
It seemed to me that what was emerging was an allegorical image, but I had, and still have, no idea what abstract concept might be proposed by the literal composition. That set me thinking that the raven might have its eye on an allegorical object, and the ankh crossed my mind.
I like the way the Egyptian “key of life” symbol looks in the composition very much, but even though I don’t know what the overarching allegory is about, the conscious side of the collaboration feels the ankh isn’t the most appropriate object to be lying on the bottom step. I mean, wolves and ravens are quintessential Northern Europe totems, are they not?
I hope if you find the image of interest and a story occurs to you, that you’ll share it with me.