Midsummernight

Oil on canvas
2002
200 x 240 cm

-Nature knows not of annihilation,only the exchange of particles,a continuous transformation.
(Wernher von Braun)

-Midsummernight is one of the most striking moments on this earth in its cosmic cycle,a climax as well as a turning point for (nature) religions centred on astral aspects.Zenith: high prime/embodiment and the beginning of retransformation.

-My painting of Midsummernight is modelled on the picturesque and astral orientated culture of the Maya:
the axially symmetrical composition creates clarity and strength;in the centre of the originally 3,5 metre tall calendar stone of the Maya from the early 16th century A.C.,the centre of which shows the face of the Sun God: he is orbited by the four elements (Water,Earth,Air,Fire) and,to whom the celestial bodies (Moon,Earth,Sun,Venus) i.e. their respective signs of the Maya are allocated (they appear also in their respectively coloured corners of the painting) as well as colours (greenorange,blue,red);the celestial sign of the Maya appears as a 5th sign underneath the Sun God as well as appearing above on the middle axis of the painting,as a Midsummernight sign;
human life as a continuous cycle is represented by the circular flight of Putti/Genien around the Sun God through the 4 elements and all phases of existence:

beginning/birth in the water - appearance/growing on the earth - ascent/flowering in the air - as well as crashing/passing-away in fire and death;
the two statues of a God to the right and to the left embody,respectively,the male and the female principle;they request worship,foreboding and,subjugation,all the while they are accompanied i.e. protected by two superior reptiles - which,seemingly,stop or turn,each with one of their paws,the calendar stone.

This altarpiece illustrates a hierachical order and history of creation of a metaphysical system of the world,a daft cosmology,behind which is found the existential,human need for stability and sense,for Becomming-One with the World.

-In the Nevada desert,the US have been examining,in a long-time field test,the quality of life after a nuclear war in a confined area with continuously excessive gamma-radiation.

The mammals who were examined there at the time,did gradually become ill and died off,one by one;however,the reptiles did not show any change.