'The raven spread out its glossy wings and departed like hope.'
Cecilia Dart-Thornton
Although many species of birds exist in world lore, and are written about in literature, fables and mythology, one of the most reverenced is the raven. In most cases, maybe primarily thanks to Poe, the raven has been written as a precursor of doom. Ravens were used as spies, as symbols of bad luck, and associated with the dead and lost souls.
Not all legends depict the raven as bearers of doom. According to Ukrainian legend, the raven was believed to have once had exquisitely colored feathers, and a beautiful singing voice. This, before the fall of the Angels from Heaven. After the fall, the raven's plumage turned black and they lost their voices. It however believed that their voices and their former vibrant colors will return to them after Paradise is once again restored upon the earth.
It is elements of this Ukrainian legend, elements that celebrate the raven's beauty, as well as the magical ravens relationship with the Goddess of the forest, at the core of this erotically enchanting new series from photographer Richard Rothstein. .
The shoot depicts Sergey, the Ukrainian Goddess, dancing in the woods with Chris, her magical raven. Regular FH readers are familiar with both Sergey and Chris and their creative collaborations with Richard. I've been fortunate to share many of these on the site. This particular shoot, and this particular dance, is thousands of miles, and hundreds of years, from the previous dances that I've featured
'Sergey wanted to represent his Ukrainian heritage. We had the crown custom made by an artist in the Ukraine. It was an honor and pleasure to do that with him. The shoot represents Sergey’s legacy and the depth to which he inspires me and made my life more beautiful.'
As the story begins, the Goddess befriends the raven, enchanted by his beauty, and the raven's magical powers, invites him to live and play in her forest playground. They spend their days dancing through the woods, celebrating their friendship, their creative energy and the love and lust they share.
One of their games involves painting each other body's in vibrant colors. The raven's love for his Goddess has no bounds, and the story suggests, the raven, filled love and admiration, exhausts all of the vibrant colors while painting glorious colors on the Goddess' crown and body. When it's time for the Goddess' to paint the raven, their no color left.
The raven is more than fine remaining just one color. In part because of the striking visual they create dancing through the forest but as well, the raven knows it will be the Goddess' vibrant colors that attract their enemies first, giving him plenty of time to fly away. The raven may be in love, but their raven roots remain intact. This bird's no fool.
See more of Richard's work with Sergey and Chris, minus the flowers and feathers,
on PAGE 2 HERE:
No comments:
Post a Comment