Monday 19 May 2008

Lois Cordelia Bulow-Osborne

In the true spirit of “cover versions”, dub music originally evolved out of reggae, when the latter was cut into fragments and re-forged in rhythmic patterns. Similarly, I have created these “cover versions” of some favourite reggae and dub albums by carving out silhouette-style cut –out forms , using a scalpel , to suggest echoing layers of superimposed imagery.

The Bob Marley Natty Dread cover version explores the Rastafarian symbolism of dreadlocks as gnarled (i.e. “knotty” or ‘natty’) roots, linking us back to the fiery energies of mother earth, represented here by the shimmering red undertone. The dreadlocks may also be interpreted as the mane of the Lion of Judah, another powerful biblical symbol of courage and defiance.

Dub side of the moon is a dub version of Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon. The lithe, four-armed dancing figure represents the Indian god Shiva, who is much associated with the moon. He is also the Lord of the cosmic Dance and hence of the Great Gig in the Sky. Here, his dark shadowy form almost eclipses his pale counterpart beneath: Everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

Max Romeo’s Selassie 1 Forever is an expression of faith in the divinity of humankind. The symmetrical silhouette hinges on the axis of the “I”, mythical symbol of unity. This cover version incorporates the image of the sacred ark of the covenant, guarded by two angelic beings, emerging from two dimensions into three.

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