The shouting of Prado. Madrid, January 12, 2012.
The following text was made by Natalia, one of the members of this experience, who accompanied me from the beginning, when it was only an idea.

The following text was made by Natalia, one of the members of this experience, who accompanied me from the beginning, when it was only an idea.

Humanism, focused not only as a movement, goes beyond in its assertion of faith in the dignity of man. It is a concept that has been changing, evolving, and transforming over the centuries. Its footprint may be reflected in paintings and diverse artistic performances.

The artist Pablo Lecroisey is attracted to the idea of the art historian and humanist whose raw materials are the testimonies or traces of man who have survived to this day, shaped into art works. Some of the paintings that have served him as inspiration are at the same time, carriers of vast symbolism: “The Laocoon” by El Greco, “The Witches’ Sabbath” by Goya, “Joan the Mad” by Francisco Pradilla Ortiz, and “The Death of Seneca” by M. Dominguez Sanchez. All of these paintings are hosted in the El Prado Museum of Madrid, and have been used by the artist to compose the grounds that shape the various allegories.

The depictions contained in this artwork embody universal ideas that somehow are part of what we might call the ‘collective unconscious’. A sea of people to symbolize the unreasonable, the chaos (lower level of consciousness), opposed to the figures which, on the same situation, are in balance, in harmony (higher level of consciousness).

Archetypes depicted in this picture convey the sense of what truly makes us evolve:

• Meditation (Spirituality)
• Music (Arts)
• Compassion (Universal Human Values )

These leading figures contrast sharply with the general picture (of grief, disorientation, loss…), narrating the perpetual flow from the depths, leaving a door for hope: increased awareness leads from the lower to the higher, the idea that we all can make it.

There’s a clear symbolic value into the used references:

Hangman: Mysticism, continence, sacrifice. Spatial suspension, mystical isolation frees him from the ordinary terrestrial influences. The kerchief worn on his foot, in yellow color, represents an odd gallows which makes clear that this character depends on its own doctrine, with such conviction that he hangs in it his whole person.
The gold coins spilled across the table, refer to the treasury of spiritual goods. Treasure is hidden or hard to find, which would be achieved by the supreme enlightenment.
The Square: Geometric expression of quaternity. Its static and severe qualities mean organization and construction. In contrast to the ternary model, which implies activity and it is more dynamic. The four elements, the four seasons, the four ages of life, and above all, the four cardinal points, provide order and fixity to the world. It symbolizes the material earthly organization.
Tarot: As a work that summarizes all sciences and whose infinite combinations can solve all problems, is an allegorical instrument.
The Dragon and The Serpent: “The animal” par excellence, concerning the Sumerian idea of the animal as an enemy. Intermediaries in the cosmic powers, between the forces distributed according to the three essential stages of the symbolism of level. A terrible thing to overcome. According to the Gnostics, is the path through all things. Related to the chaos principle (our Chaos or Spirit is a dragon which conquers it all). The serpent as the quintessential symbol of energy and pure strength alone. Protective powers of the life force and immortality, as well as higher goods symbolized by the hidden treasures. Seduction of the force by matter, the persistence of lower into higher, principle of evil inherent in all earthly things, allusion to the primordial, the most primitive stratus of life.

Humanism reflection, implies an evolution of consciousness that leads us to the 7 principles, which according to Hermes Trismegistus, rule the universe and therefore the essence of our own nature.

Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause effect; Generation