2012

by Gary Hickin

2012 Bathos
I was initially inspired by Hogarth’s last engraving ‘The Bathos’ which was completed some six months before his death, the engraving depicts the end of time in a somewhat flippant, surreal way- hence the title. With all the gloom and doom predictions associated with the year 2012 I thought It would be an interesting starting point for a still life full of symbolic references .
The hourglass and pocket watch are straight forward references to time running out, the watch being positioned carefully so that it seems to be running through the neck of the hourglass . The globe is a pretty obvious representation of the Earth, the book symbolises the sum of mankind’s knowledge. The bird’s skull represents death. The stoneware sphere surrounded by a black necklace next to the spectacles is supposed to be symbolic of the planet ((often referred to as "Nibiru") or black hole that the Earth is supposed to collide with in 2012 (Ooooer!). The Tankard spilling out liquid forms represents the great floods that are supposed to coincide with Solar maximums in 2012 ( is there no end to all this?...er, forgive the pun!). The shell is there to represent other life forms at risk. I could not resist putting in the bell which has Matthew, Mark, Luke and John depicted in the casting- this could refer to hope, faith, a better way of life or the futility of religion. I included a rotting apple to symbolise decay and increasing scarcity of resources. Mankind’s frailty and transience of existence is represented by the bubbles . The small combined cog and flywheel lies with no purpose and useless ( The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster).
Still, look on the bright side, it’s not all bad, the compass is symbolic of a new direction, the key is just that –a key to a better way, the spectacles may help us see things for what they are and plan accordingly. The small beech nut shell contains a small bubble ( new life).
Finally the main title is to be found on.......................
Forgive my ramblings.
Happy days! Cheers, Gary
Uploaded20/02/2011 - 18:08
CategoryStill Life
Shutter Speed30 sec
Aperturef/22
LensN/A
ISO80
Focal Length50mm

puma
Posted 20/02/2011 - 18:50 Link
Beautiful composition and camera work.
PPG link
bwlchmawr
Posted 20/02/2011 - 19:03 Link
Lovely luminous shot, Gary, a bit lighter than usual. Interesting.
Best wishes,

Andrew

"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference.  All of them can record what you are seeing.  But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
My website: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/bwlchmawr-199050 http://s927.photobucket.com/home/ADC3440/index
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78898196@N05
GIULIO57
Posted 20/02/2011 - 19:09 Link
Different objects BUT wonderful compo.
PPG
darkskies
Posted 20/02/2011 - 19:47 Link
Where on Earth do you get all that stuff from?

Lovely composition, mind!
This space deliberately left blank.
Gary Hickin
Posted 20/02/2011 - 21:04 Link
Thankyou everyone- for this one I made the spectacles, globe, dice and stoneware sphere (next to specs). The strange gungy liquid ( in tankard) was made by melting down a broken beer glass. I also restored the hourglass and the shelves are the only survivors from my old kiln.
Cheers, Gary
coker
Posted 20/02/2011 - 22:28 Link
2012...

Do I see echos of Olympic rings in there, or is it MY imagination ...?
:

Great image, as ever!

Coker.
The more I look, the more there is to see!
Gary Hickin
Posted 20/02/2011 - 23:20 Link
Thanks Coker- Yes, of course you do........! Cheers, Gary
DrOrloff
Posted 20/02/2011 - 23:41 Link
Quite extraordinary stuff.
aliengrove
Posted 21/02/2011 - 00:34 Link
DrOrloff wrote:
Quite extraordinary stuff.

I couldn't agree more. The amount of thought, planning and effort you put into constructing, assembling and then photographing these incredible still-lifes amazes me more every time I see one. It's not just photography as art, but sculpture, philosophy and photography melded together.

Do you dismantle it all afterwards?
pammihooper
Posted 21/02/2011 - 04:53 Link
I see you squeezed all you could out of one square. This feast of shapes, textures, light and dimensions (yeah - feels like we're peeking through to a forth) is remarkable. I like the way the bubbles hold things together, and I find that fun. Thanks for a great shot Gary.
'my beauties' - Pentax DA55-300mm F4-5.8ED, Tamrom DiII SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR LD Aspherical (IF)
szgabor
Posted 21/02/2011 - 06:55 Link
It's a perfect composition again. I love in your shots the way as you take care of deatils, everything is on its place and well lit.
Regards,
Gábor
My website
davidtrout
Posted 21/02/2011 - 15:35 Link
Lovely shot Gary. You must have a wonderful collection of artefacts.
David
Edited by davidtrout: 21/02/2011 - 15:36
Bobbinalorry
Posted 04/08/2011 - 10:40 Link
Bloody genious!!
Best Regards, Larry.

All the gear & no idea.

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