PALEOLITHIC

One of the world’s great art forms, Flamenco comes from the multi dimensional culture which flourished in Spain during the years when she was the pre-eminent repository of scientific, artistic and spiritual knowledge & the center of European civilization.  Ziryab, the “Blackbird”, was a freed black slave, who grew up in Bahgdad & was one of the main arbiters of taste at the Spanish court for 30 years. It is claimed he knew 10,000 songs by heart.  He invented the modern OUD.  His technique was famous & he played strings made from Lion’s sinews with an Eagle claw for a pick!  The multi cultural influences of Phoenician, Persian, Jewish, & Roma bloodlines & musics produced a style which has stunning technique & unparalleled devotion to emotional truth & expression.  This piece attempts to visually portray some of these aspects.  As Garcia Lorca noted, “Deep Song”, bathed in the blood of the Gitanos.  Lorca said the spirit of Flamenco “burns the blood like a poultice of broken glass”.  Referring to Flamenco dance, he said “The duende works on the body of the dancer like the wind works on sand”.  The small fetish piece appears as a bird on one side.  When turned it mimics the arm and dress movements of the dancers.  Flamenco is a Spanish name for flamingo, a tall graceful bird and flamenco’s spirit channels many natural energies of animals and other natural forces. Sandstone, Petrified Wood, Jasper (Witch’s Tears), Hematite’s magnetic script, Aztec Calcite, & Natural Fetish combine to sing its praises!