Welcome to Seeking Kali. Born of a discussion of myth and archetype, the manifestations of Kali are many. She is mother, she is goddess in all her glory, she devours time as a symbol of dissolution and destruction. Kali destroys ignorance and restores order.
This year the Artist Collective Seeking Kali is sponsoring an artist call for work in all media concerning the myth of MEDUSA.
Cat, Thank you so much for these outstanding collages of KALI. What is fascinating is the use of the imagery you created with these unique paper doll KALI's juxtaposed with the 1940's and 50's b/w magazine ads;-)
Cat also adds: The origins of Paper Kali are these:
There are several old magazines in my possession, found in the granary of my grandparents' old farmhouse in the townships - mostly “Jack & Jill” magazines from the 1940's and 50's. Jack & Jill was a kids' magazine which often featured paper dolls in the centerfold, the best ones drawn by a woman named Janet Smalley. I have been copying and resurrecting these dolls in different environments, usually in the form of a fancy card which I then give as a gift to someone. I usually add animals, natural scenery, sparkles, and bits of Japanese paper.
This Kali paper doll represents the first time I've actually had to use the parts of several dolls to make one doll. Kali's legs and one of her heads are from Sydney, the centerfold doll from the November '47 issue, while her other heads and torso are from the Mardi Gras doll of February 1951. The arms around Kali's waist are borrowed from a doll in the period costume of an early American colonist, while the dangling head is from young Harvey of January 1950 [from the armless dolls I intend to build a conjoined quadruplet, while headless Harvey will inherit the head of a paper elephant to make a Ganesh].
Paper Kali is magnetized at back, so she can be stuck to the fridge. The magnets are strong enough to hold a chosen paper background in place, if desired. Kali is the first paper doll I've made which has actual wig hair. I scanned her in several different background environments, most of them copied from a 1957 issue of Woman's Day [with the exception of “Kali daybook”].
I love to make things out of paper. There are several aspects of these Kali environments in particular which interest me – how the aesthetic of the 40's and 50's prescribes even the appearance of a ferocious goddess, but despite this domestic taming, how Kali still springs into vivid focus like a T-Rex.
2 comments:
Cat,
Thank you so much for these outstanding collages of KALI. What is fascinating is the use of the imagery you created with these unique paper doll KALI's juxtaposed with the 1940's and 50's b/w magazine ads;-)
Cat also adds:
The origins of Paper Kali are these:
There are several old magazines in my possession, found in the granary of my grandparents' old farmhouse in the townships - mostly “Jack & Jill” magazines from the 1940's and 50's.
Jack & Jill was a kids' magazine which often featured paper dolls in the centerfold, the best ones drawn by a woman named Janet Smalley. I have been copying and resurrecting these dolls in different environments, usually in the form of a fancy card which I then give as a gift to someone.
I usually add animals, natural scenery, sparkles, and bits of Japanese paper.
This Kali paper doll represents the first time I've actually had to use the parts of several dolls to make one doll. Kali's legs and one of her heads are from Sydney, the centerfold doll from the November '47 issue, while her other heads and torso are from the Mardi Gras doll of February 1951. The arms around Kali's waist are borrowed from a doll in the period costume of an early American colonist, while the dangling head is from young Harvey of January 1950 [from the armless dolls I intend to build a conjoined quadruplet, while headless Harvey will inherit the head of a paper elephant to make a Ganesh].
Paper Kali is magnetized at back, so she can be stuck to the fridge. The magnets are strong enough to hold a chosen paper background in place, if desired. Kali is the first paper doll I've made which has actual wig hair. I scanned her in several different background environments, most of them copied from a 1957 issue of Woman's Day [with the exception of “Kali daybook”].
I love to make things out of paper. There are several aspects of these Kali environments in particular which interest me – how the aesthetic of the 40's and 50's prescribes even the appearance of a ferocious goddess, but despite this domestic taming, how Kali still springs into vivid focus like a T-Rex.
Post a Comment