Art through a Spiritual Lens in Los Angeles
I took this picture near Fairfax and 3rd in Los Angeles. There is a lot of interesting urban art in public spaces that offer a glimpse into the social or collective unconscious. What was the creative intent behind this piece? It is left up to the viewer to determine as the artist has given no context other than being on display in an urban public place for all to see. We see a cigarette package with only a few cigarettes left. On the package we see a shark with his mouth gaping wide displaying fierce teeth. What does this mean? Why did the artist decide to display this in a urban space?
Let’s break it down from an archetypal perspective. Cigarettes represent a vice, an addiction, something that is enjoyable to some, but with long term health risks and even death. Cigarettes are a symbol of addiction and satisfaction. If you are smoking a cigarette, or offering a cigarette to others, it is a lucky omen which denotes self-satisfaction and prosperity.
A shark represents Water in dreams and links to the unconscious mind. Anything within that water will therefor link to your feelings and intuitions in some way. Sharks will tend to symbolise fears and worries. They will symbolize resentments building up within you and others. If the shark bites then those resentments maybe shown. Sharks can symbolize dangerous and unknown territory. It may show that you feel something involves great danger and risk.
What does this translate to from the perspective of Southern California? The major headline in California these days is the real estate meltdown. Could the cigarette represent the addiction of easy and “free” credit and prosperity that it seemed to generate. The shark may represent what is happening at the subconscious level. That this unprecedented credit expansion is headed into dangerous and unknown territory seems obvious. What the inevitable social reaction to this crisis will be remains to be seen.
Added. Nice work on this one. Btw, my blog is dofollow, stop by and grab a link. Walter
July 22nd, 2008 | #
I think you read a little bit too hard into that one egghead. Let me tell you what MAY be represented at MY subconscious level right now: That over-extended interpretation of a random flyer seems potentially further out in the water then one would find that shark in THE REAL WORLD. Judging by the fact that you missed the blaring headline in the mouth of the shark which says: TOOF, I’m going to guess you haven’t left your computer for long enough to attend a rock concert in the last 40 years of your measly, forum crawling existence. That was in fact a flyer for a local band… and their artists DO NOT think that far into things, which leads me to believe your egocentric archetypal perspective is slightly askew, and may require a foot in the @ss to realign. If you want to make intelligent interpretations for people to read on the internet to blow up your already misshapen head, please stick to sure shot classical novels next time professor.
PS. Go back to school and earn some English credits before you start writing again Frank, I hope this site bankrupts you and you’re evicted from your mobile home.
-Mike
August 5th, 2008 | #
Sigh*
I’m just having a bad day, please excuse my inexcusable behaviour. Your blog is not bad at all, and you write quite well. HAD that flyer artist put a bit of thought into what he was doing, perhaps we could have comfortably arrived on board that train of thought I just forcefully derailed. Again, please don’t let the above ruin your day, keep doing what you do because it’s well thought out and presented with care. Have a great day and feel free to delete the above comment. Hopefully you at least got a good laugh out of all this.
-Mike
August 5th, 2008 | #
spiritual journey…
is this site a joke?.. it’s really good, congratulations…
August 18th, 2008 | #
Frank maman?,
u have a way with words, of that there is no doubt..
however,
m8, u have shown your true colours my dear boy?..
This is simply an advertisment that cigarettes are as
lethal as the shark on the front cover..
Your artist is probably a non smoker attempting to put
forward a message about the enviroment as he sees it or,
has had a bad experience through a SMOKE related issue.
I think you should leave off the LSD & the Collins Dictionary
maman & stop your reckless pursuit of `Betterness`, RIGHT
NOW!!. yOUR ONLY FOOLING YOURSELF… & PISSING OFF
MIKE!!. Hahaha!. Keep it Real!. J.
September 19th, 2008 | #