"Samhain Vision"
By Pipyr
When I found out about the Flametree Halloween contest and read what we would be judged on I knew that black cats and candy corn probably wouldn’t cut it. I wanted to make something really unique. My goal was to create something that would be appropriate for display any time of the year, but would be a piece about Halloween in its deeper layers.
I began to research and came across information on Samhain, the holiday on which our Halloween came from. Samhain (pronounced “sow-en”) was a festival of the ancient Celts on Novemeber 1st (their days started at night, so this would be the night of Oct 31 nowadays) that celebrated the coming of the winter and the new spring deep inside it. It was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was thin on this day and that the presence of the spirits would make it easier for the Druids (Celtic priests) to make predictions for the coming year through visions during the celebration which took place around a big bonfire.
It is difficult to find much accurate information on the ways and beliefs of the ancient Celts, as they were a people of oral tradition, so there are no first-hand written accounts. I based my piece on the most accurate information I could find. The Druid, who traditionally wore white robes, is depicted along with a fire representing the bon fire of the Samhain festival and the presence of spirits can be seen amidst the flames in the background.
I began to research and came across information on Samhain, the holiday on which our Halloween came from. Samhain (pronounced “sow-en”) was a festival of the ancient Celts on Novemeber 1st (their days started at night, so this would be the night of Oct 31 nowadays) that celebrated the coming of the winter and the new spring deep inside it. It was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was thin on this day and that the presence of the spirits would make it easier for the Druids (Celtic priests) to make predictions for the coming year through visions during the celebration which took place around a big bonfire.
It is difficult to find much accurate information on the ways and beliefs of the ancient Celts, as they were a people of oral tradition, so there are no first-hand written accounts. I based my piece on the most accurate information I could find. The Druid, who traditionally wore white robes, is depicted along with a fire representing the bon fire of the Samhain festival and the presence of spirits can be seen amidst the flames in the background.
Technical Information:
Dimensions: Vary. When resting, total dimensions are 8.5" wide, 13" tall (to steel supports), and 6" deep. Head is 4.5" tall and hands are 4.5" wide.
Borosilicate glass
The canes for this piece were created on a Mirage (borrowed) and the sculpting was done on a lynx.
The supports are stainless steel, including the lines that the pieces hang from.
Dimensions: Vary. When resting, total dimensions are 8.5" wide, 13" tall (to steel supports), and 6" deep. Head is 4.5" tall and hands are 4.5" wide.
Borosilicate glass
The canes for this piece were created on a Mirage (borrowed) and the sculpting was done on a lynx.
The supports are stainless steel, including the lines that the pieces hang from.