I wasn't originally going to enter this, but I got irritated. There's some stuff I would've liked to work out better, but the deadline is approaching, so it'll have to stay like this.
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"Think about the theme of good versus evil"
Good and evil are definitions that designate a moral status and it is relative depending on view point. It is an abstract concept limited to human perception. It is a mechanism of sorts that is what keeps us from destroying ourselves completely. It's rather failing, but anyway. Also, it is unrelated to appearance.
Therefore, in order to depict a conflict between good and evil, both sides would need to display actions that evidence their moral inclination. I went for the simplest : the good sides helps people, the bad side doesn't. The versus could not be a battle, because if the sides were battling each other, they would be too busy to show moral attitude. So here, the versus is depicted through the struggle of individuals to free themselves from their own failings.
I consider the idea that morality can be tied to something like appearance, as frequently happens on television (villains are dark, sickly, pale, ugly, albino, really smart or really stupid, deformed, especially in fantasy and children's fiction), to be a form of evil. Just go to any school and see which children are bullied : the different. It encourages the idea that things can be judged on first appearance, and questions don't need to be asked. Reality doesn't work in black and white standards however, so both sides have light at their core here.
Since angels and demons tend to pop up a lot in this contest and I like drawing feathers anyway, I had a look at the bible for usable symbols. The bible uses light and dark as metaphors for wisdom and mental blindness, it never assigns any specific appearance to demons as far as I could tell so I skipped them altogether. In fact, several of the forces of good look what modern day sentiments would describe as "demonic" and eventually I went with the seven eyed, seven horned zombie lamb to represent the good side. It amuses me to represent goodness with something that would be disappealing to most people : after all, doing the right thing isn't always the most pleasant choice.
The symbols here go as follows :
The radiant angel Inspired by a text in the bible that says the devil will present himself as an angel of light. It can be interpreted as the manifestation of all that is wrong with the human subconscious, with false guidance that promotes blindness, or simply the flock motions of the human race towards it's glorious self-destruction.
The gray humanoids They are not evil. They are not good. They have not enough identity to have defined themselves and may become either depending on influence and situation. They are part of the flock of sameness, only seeing what they want to see. Their brethren suffer, those that are different are excluded. The embryos are their true selves, underdeveloped and their eyes full of light so they cannot see. They are on the heads, positioned to be demonstrated when necessary, yet not really anything alive yet.
Horns and halos Halos are not mentioned in the bible, they originate in the worship of solar gods, something "heathen" that become "holy". Therefore, they make a good symbol for self-deception and self-righteousness. Horns are a symbol of power in the bible and are not associated specifically with either good or evil, but have become a symbol of evil in the same artistic streams that added halos to Christianity. In this image, horns are used in their original meaning and represent a growing power, they allow the embryos to rise above the halo and see. Those that rise may grow into independent beings. Or not. Similarly, the lamb has seven horns, representing total power.
The red mass around the sphere These are growing individuals. They may or may not be good, yet or ever. The sphere they are drooping from under is this world, which are severed from if they don't want you anymore, which it doesn't when you are different. Yet the tendrils of the angel try to keep them back.
The shadowed angels They represent good, all different from each other yet united. Their side is full of eyes and can see in all directions, and they help whom they can help, open for all, also alert for danger. They represent those who have reached independence and can see, being humans to their fullest nature. The snakes are there to combat the tendrils, chosen because snakes made for the least crowdy counter measure, and they need some positive attention too for a change.
Eyes and Light Eyes represent the ability to perceive, so the evil side is full of closer eyes. Both sides have light, but the good side has many colors while the evil side only has gray (no colors) for its creations, and instead has a blinding amount of light, while that of the good side has a healthier balance.
Colors The colors don't really have much meaning here, I just chose them cause they're pretty. I originally meant to have no color for the evil side at all, but while messing with some potential fiery glow for the snakes I liked the effect as it crossed the wing, and just went with it.
Eyes Closed eyes on the "evil" side, open eyes on the good side, should be pretty self-explanatory.
Real evil doesn't tend to come with a dark cloak and cackling voices. The greatest evils in this world are committed by those who think they are not crossing the line. Those who bully or those who slaughter, they all think they are right in their actions, that it's okay, it's just a game or it's for the greater good. Some simply despair because there seems to be no way out, victims themselves. The lines blur, and gray needs to be acknowledged. Yet we're always learned not to ask questions. Humans generally find it easier to tie everything to simplistic black and white standards, don't care to ask nor little questions, nor large questions.
A man named Elie Wiesel once said : "The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference."
I've always thought all of your pieces were beautiful, and this is certainly no exception. This is an absolutely stunning work. The way you have managed to put all of the symbology and meaning together incorporated as one piece with all the beautiful detail is wonderful.
This just..whoa. So much insight, and great symbols. Love your rendering of the cerubes, They really have an protective aura.
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Your next can be the hungry children in Africa. Your next can be the homeless in India. But your next can also just be the lonly boy in the corner of your classroom.
I think one of the best features of this particular picture is the layout. The gray humanoids at the bottom create a sense of... Well, life I suppose. When it boils down to it, life is a gray void in which we all stumble about, no clear sign of "good" or "evil" since, as you said, they are very subjective terms. However, as you pan up, there is a flash of light in the angle, and above that you really display a vivid scene of all manner of creatures in all kinds of colors and emotions. Pulling the red skeletal humanoids from the pit behind the angle, to the stances the winged creatures are taking at the top, it really explodes into life. The symbolism is also very well thought-out for each part of this piece. It creates a very interesting scene that I would almost say could be part of a stain glass window. Very nice work here.
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Daily Literature Deviations is a group that is dedicated to bringing literature to the forefront of the deviantArt community. We attempt to accomplish this by daily featuring Literature artists from around the community that deserve the recognition, but are not getting it. Each day we will feature 5 deviations from the Literature categories in a News Article.
In order to support the artists that we feature, we ask that you the news article as well as check out the individual pieces. We understand that each day you may not be able to check out each and every one of the pieces, everyone has their own things going on. We just ask that you make an attempt to help support the growing Literature community.
The Deviousness Award is an accolade which is traditionally handed out on the 1st of every month to one trully outstanding deviant. `Cyantre is one of the most helpful deviants within our community. With a positive attitude and a resourceful mind, you can always find him providing support and encouragement to those in need. Always looking for ways in which he can get more involved in our community, John's positive presence is to be aspired to. A well respected poet, John is a must-have on your deviantWATCH to make sure that you don't miss out on your dose of community inspiration. It's with great pleasure that the Deviousness Award for November 2009 goes to... Read More
Comments
now I wish you good lucky! ^___^
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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
This is quite amazing!
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*`·:·.*.·´ )O( `·.*.·:·´*
my store->[link]
my band->[link]
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_+Roman Catholic and proud!+_
Support our lost Founding Fathers...without them, we wouldn't be here....
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Characters . . . can't live with them, can't kill them because it nullifies the whole plot!
Love your rendering of the cerubes, They really have an protective aura.
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Your next can be the hungry children in Africa.
Your next can be the homeless in India.
But your next can also just be the lonly boy in the corner of your classroom.
click my eggs?
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SKWtheartist RULES
visit my
wait thats two words oh well
I think one of the best features of this particular picture is the layout. The gray humanoids at the bottom create a sense of... Well, life I suppose. When it boils down to it, life is a gray void in which we all stumble about, no clear sign of "good" or "evil" since, as you said, they are very subjective terms. However, as you pan up, there is a flash of light in the angle, and above that you really display a vivid scene of all manner of creatures in all kinds of colors and emotions. Pulling the red skeletal humanoids from the pit behind the angle, to the stances the winged creatures are taking at the top, it really explodes into life. The symbolism is also very well thought-out for each part of this piece. It creates a very interesting scene that I would almost say could be part of a stain glass window. Very nice work here.
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"Layton's apprentice saves the day!"
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