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Apotropaic Neography

Stella Jaques

    UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Graduate
    UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Graduate

    Cultures across the world have used sacred objects and symbols to protect themselves and bring manifestations to life. Since the work of Austin Osman Square, pagans practicing Chaos Magic create Sigils to encrypt messages and imbue magical power on the receiver. In my project, I developed ideas of encryption into areas of written language study. Through combining apotropaic tradition with neography-based encryptions, my work makes written incantations into amulets.

    Final work

    • A paper lantern that is diamond shape with four panels visible. On each panel, layers of paper create layers of shadow in geometric shapes.
    • A different view of the same piece. Two of the panels are the same but it has been rotated to reveal two new panels.
    • The same piece at another angle. Two of the sides from the second image are visible, but two new ones are also visible. This shows all 8 sides.
    An image of the piece from above in a crowded room. It is hung at the head height of the people around it and can be viewed from all angles.

    Installation view

    Research and process

    • Sketchbook pages of written developments. At the top is an alphabetical grid, then a series of symbols, then the symbols are connected into one symbol
    • Sketchbook pages of written developments. These start the same as the last but begin to look calligraphic and smooth flowing.
    • Sketchbook pages and lino prints. The sketchbook shows the same development as before but written into a pyramid. Each lino print features this design
    • Sketchbook pages showing the installation planning. Different drawings show different ways a light based sculpture could be hung, lit and assembled.
    • Digital developments for the design. The words earth, air, fire and water are written out then each line of each letter is taken out and rearranged.
    • Photos of a maquette of the final piece. The maquette has a foamboard frame and is half covered in a single layer of paper.

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    Apotropaic Neography

    Cultures across the world have used sacred objects and symbols to protect themselves and bring manifestations to life. Since the work of Austin Osman Square, pagans practicing Chaos Magic create Sigils to encrypt messages and imbue magical power on the receiver. In my project,...

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