Primordial. Light. Ramble? Chapters 1-4

July 04, 2021

Primordial. Light. Ramble? Chapters 1-4

I was intrigued with chapter one in particular. "The Invention of Writing."

Drawn to the petroglyph and pictographs. I enjoyed learning about how these were used in daily life: So much more than carved signs. More than just prehistoric artwork. They were made for survival, sacred ritual, rites of passage.

"They were powerful cultural symbols that reflected the complex societies and religions. The context of each image is extremely important and integral to its meaning." https://www.nps.gov/petr/learn/historyculture/why.htm

Lions painted in the Chauvet Cave (Ardèche, France). This is a replica of the painting from the Brno museum Anthropos (Czech Republic). The absence of the name sometimes leads to these paintings being described as portraits of lionesses.

Horses of Lascaux Cave a network of caves near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne in

southwestern France.

I loved how their connection to the animals, to the earth, were depicted in these paintings. I thought about how early human markings were found in Africa two hundred thousand years ago. Two hundred thousand years old! How our African and European ancestors left paintings in caves like Lascaux Cave.

In my searching, I stumbled upon Francis Ringenbach, an artist and sculptor, who reconstructed the cave walls and ceilings of Lascaux. I also listened to a great NPR podcast with archeologist Jean-Pierre Chadelle. Explaining the tools they used for painting in the ancient cave.

The French government has built an exact replica of the prehistoric paintings in Lascaux, next to the originals.

This photo was taken in the replicated cave. The originals were painted some 20,000 years ago, but are closed to the public to protect the artwork.

You can see how they used a magnesium pencil for the black horns of this bull,Chadelle says. And for the softness of the muzzle, they used another technique. They blow-dried paint made from natural ochre colors through a tool crafted from hollow bird bones. They were working in darkness and working from memory to do these compositions.(Eleanor Beardsley, NPR)

I imagine they got lost in their painting. Lost in the desire to explain fully and visually their thoughts, feelings about the mysterious world around them: What they were experiencing. What they wanted to share with their people.

I thought about what I have to say? How do I want my voice to be heard? Is it strictly going to be Graphic Design where I share my creative voice? More importantly, how can I help others share their voice using my creative skill? To be honest, I don't know. Yet...

For now, I appreciate the fundamental beauty of my prehistoric relatives. The ancient paintings in Lascaux and other caves are a link from our past to our present: A link to the ancient creativity in us all. In a way, humanity is walking in the dark. Our prehistoric ancestors have left visual reminders, a prehistoric "shout out," if you will, to acknowledge our own primordial creative light.

A light that connects us to each other, to this planet, and ultimately the universe.