The Caged Bird Sings Of Freedom
Kalos&Klio | The Caged Bird Sings Of Freedom, 2022
Handwoven sheep wool rug
190x130cm
Courtesy of Kalfayan Galleries, Athens - Thessaloniki
“The Caged Bird Sings of Freedom” (2022) belongs to a series of diverse artworks (handwoven rugs and sculptures) titled “On the Tapis. The Phantom Of Liberty”. Part of the title alludes to Luis Bunuel's surrealist film, “Le Fantôme de la liberté”. “On The Tapis. The Phantom of Liberty” is the continuation of the series of handwoven works (rugs and cotton textiles) titled "On The Tapis. Weaves of Democracy" ( 2017-2019)[1].
“The Caged Bird Sings of Freedom” is inspired by the poem "The Caged Bird" (1983) of poet and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angellou. The poem describes the opposing experiences between two birds: one bird lives freely in nature, while the other one suffers in captivity and sings to express its longing for freedom. Although freedom is frightening to the caged bird because it is unknown to it, the caged bird continues to sing a song that can be heard in the distant hills, and because of its courage in doing so, the caged bird will one day be freed.
The iconography of the rug refers to the traditional motif of the double cross-shaped medallion, a pattern known mainly as Eagle Kazak or Sunburst Kazak. The Eagle Kazak is the most famous of all South Caucasian rugs made by Armenians in the Karabakh region. For the tribal people of the Near East, it is a powerful cosmic symbol meant to represent planetary life as part of the universal order.
The double cruciform medallion transforms into an abstract totem pole, a spiritual guide that rises to the very top and becomes a supernatural eagle woven into the field of the rug. The eagle is a very powerful archetypal symbol and a common traditional theme that recurs in all cultures around the world. In Native American culture, mythology and art, the eagle is considered the most important of all birds. A solar symbol of elevation, enlightenment, wisdom, courage, strength and freedom, the eagle represents liberation from bondage and is also a spiritual messenger, carrying on its wings the words of the people to the Great Spirit.
In the context of the work of Kalos&Klio, contemporary images coexist with the symbolic language of various traditional woven textiles, written text, and the hidden language of Morse code[2]. As a playful analogy, a traditional symbol can transform into a contemporary one. Thus, the predominant totem, the eagle spirit, converts into a fearless Transformer, a pop culture action figure toy that symbolizes identity choice and, in particular, how identity is subject to change. The depiction of the totem eagle, "Transformer," is an extended metaphor for freedom as an individual and social challenge, as well as an ideal place for constant discovery. Personal and social transformation is a necessary condition for a free democratic society. Even if freedom means the absence of constraints, it is important that it grows out of democracy, social integration and autonomy.
Like the singing bird in the poem that cries out for freedom, the right to be free is not a commodity given by an individual or an authority, but a universal right for every human being. Historically, liberty, equality and justice have always been the aspirations and foundations of a peaceful society that values the happiness of all people. The thread of freedom runs through all these values, making them part of an integrated whole.
“The Caged Bird Sings of Freedom” incorporates virtual renderings, 3D animation, and short videos into its iconography via AR app software, which integrates digital image and sound content into the tangible environment of the artwork, allowing the viewer to experience multiple narratives through a transition from the analog to the digital world. In a sense, the nesting between the physical and the virtual creates internal visual stories that unfold an embedded narrative, a ‘palimpsest’, much like the story within the story, a literary device used in literature, poetry, mythology, film, and even folktales around the world.
Kalos&Klio | The Caged Bird Sings Of Freedom, 2022
Handwoven sheep wool rug
Rizarios Handcraft School, Ioannina, Greece
Weaver: Lambrini Wassmuth
Unique variations 2 + 1 a.p.
190x130cm
Augmented Reality / Multimedia for mobile devices
Credits: MDA, Production, Venetopoulos Babis,
Production Manager, Venetopoulos George (development and programming)
Courtesy of Kalfayan Galleries, Athens - Thessaloniki
[1] The series titled “On The Tapis. Weaves of Democracy” (2017-2019) is posing questions on current global crisis of Democracy, through the prism of human rights, freedom, equality and unity, by looking at debate issues on critical social and political themes such as oppression, immigration, freedom of movement. It consists mainly of a series of hand-woven wool rugs and cotton textiles made at Rizarios Handicraft School, at Monodendri (Zagorochoria) in Greece, and in Nepal by Tunfenkian Artisan Carpets.
[2] Morse code, at the bottom of the carpet, translates in English: Nobody can give you freedom and equality, from the quote : “Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it”: Malcolm X, Source: Malcolm X Speaks, Selected Speeches and Statements (1965), p. 111.