1  2  3  4  5  -Return to Elements Gallery- The graphic entitled "Renascibilitas" was created for the May 2004 issue of Lucero, Journal of Iberian and Latin American Studies, UC Berkeley. I was invited to submit artwork by a friend and editor of the journal. The theme of the edition was "Nostalgia y Memoria". My initial interest was sparked in thinking that I could create a social commentary in the form of a cartoon, but I was told that a design was more appropriate, and they would not likely accept a cartoon. I eventually remembered Joseph Campbell mentioning the symbol of the snake with its tail in its mouth representing rebirth in the Latin culture. I researched and found that the symbol has appeared in many other cultures including the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Aztecs and Mayans among others. The symbol is called an 'ouroborous' which is Greek, meaning 'devouring its tail'. I found an Aztec ouroboros design online, and thought to show how the history of Latin American culture was influenced by many cultures- the Spanish being a blend of Arabs, Moors, and Europeans. I then thought to create a totem by representing the various cultures with animal spirits, and simultaneously showing the evolution of fish to reptiles to birds, the scales becoming feathers. From that spectrum, I pulled out the fish as the Christian symbol of rebirth, the snake being the symbol of rebirth recognized by many other cultures and also being the symbol of enlightenment as in the Caduceus (medical symbol), Mercury's wand and representation of the conscious and unconscious. Finally, the bird manifests as Phoenix, representing rebirth in many traditions. I then worked in the Yin and Yang symbol of cycles (sun and moon, male and female, life and death, seasons). Afterwards, I looked at Escher prints to consider the originality of my working design and concept. Though my design was not derivitive, Escher's "Verbum" also blends birds, reptiles, and fish in an evolutionary theme. Escher's "Snakes" employs a Celtic knot featuring three twisting snake-like creatures, each with the other's tail in its mouth; a sort of 3-snake ouroborus. "Snakes" directly influenced by decision to commit to a circular, triple motif, as I had been considering a linear totem. Coincidentally, I was focused on the design during the week following Easter, having attended an inspired sermon which had directly addressed the role of remembering as it relates to realization. The sermon highlighted how the women who returned to Jesus' tomb had only to remember Chist's words that he would be resurrected to realize why his body was no longer in the cave. 'Hymn of Promise' followed, which is full of rebirth symbols: In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, and apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden rpmise, buterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There's a song in every slence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity; In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. The bulletin also mentions that Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox (Mar. 21) and lasts for seven Sundays, as decided by the church council of Nicaca in 325 AD. Clearly, all cultures are connected by the common experience and acknowledgement of rebirth through seasonal change.