Gargoyle sculptures have enthralled us throughout the centuries. Coming in an assortment of body mixtures, from animal to human, these monstrous creatures and, historically, carved in hideous relief. Traditionally, gargoyles grace graveyards, churches and doorways. However, in our modern age, they have transformed into the artistic, commercial and symbolic from their, once, practical use; protecting architecture from deterioration.
One of the meanings of the word gargoyle is about what it may sound like to a passer by, namely the gargling of water. As one can ascertain from this, the original use of many a gargoyle was as part of artful drainage systems for rainfall and any other possible moisture overflow. Thus, helping to keep buildings from undue damage by way of erosion.
Because of the grotesque appearance of these statues, superstitions arose about them. Consisting of a whole host of differing parts from half-men with bird-bottoms to dragon bodies with vicious dog-faces, gargoyles were thought to intimidate demons. These sculptures were also thought to help keep at bay would-be thieves and desecrators.
However, decorative uses seem to have mostly supplanted the functional uses of gargoyles in these modern times. Walkways, gardens and home-furnishings are just a few of the purposes in which these statues have been replicated for. Gargoyles have even made it into the production of novel jewelry and graphic shirts. As with regular, mundane use, the more disturbing attributes of these sculptural ornaments have been confined to historical memory.
Adopted by the modern gothic sub-culture, gargoyles have found a home. As the interest in darker corners of the human psyche are of interest to this genre, the gargoyle history of taboo and religious locals have become a valued symbol. This affiliation the gargoyle seems have gained with complex subjects like God and death, has only added to the gothic predilection. Nevertheless, the annals of antiquity have all but swallowed their superstitious ancestry.
Obviously, the juggernaut of capitalization knows no bounds. Any entrepreneurial soul will attempt to make money off of something, if he or she finds there is a market for it. Unsurprisingly, gargoyles are not immune to this fact. As many whom identify with the gothic culture has an aesthetic taste for such disturbing sculpture.
Thus, even in this day and age, gargoyles can be seen lurking in all manner of places. Serving, nowadays, as subtle accents, they grace our everyday scene and maybe, just maybe, they still scare away a few demons. Here is to hoping. Read more about: Gargoyle Sculptures
One of the meanings of the word gargoyle is about what it may sound like to a passer by, namely the gargling of water. As one can ascertain from this, the original use of many a gargoyle was as part of artful drainage systems for rainfall and any other possible moisture overflow. Thus, helping to keep buildings from undue damage by way of erosion.
Because of the grotesque appearance of these statues, superstitions arose about them. Consisting of a whole host of differing parts from half-men with bird-bottoms to dragon bodies with vicious dog-faces, gargoyles were thought to intimidate demons. These sculptures were also thought to help keep at bay would-be thieves and desecrators.
However, decorative uses seem to have mostly supplanted the functional uses of gargoyles in these modern times. Walkways, gardens and home-furnishings are just a few of the purposes in which these statues have been replicated for. Gargoyles have even made it into the production of novel jewelry and graphic shirts. As with regular, mundane use, the more disturbing attributes of these sculptural ornaments have been confined to historical memory.
Adopted by the modern gothic sub-culture, gargoyles have found a home. As the interest in darker corners of the human psyche are of interest to this genre, the gargoyle history of taboo and religious locals have become a valued symbol. This affiliation the gargoyle seems have gained with complex subjects like God and death, has only added to the gothic predilection. Nevertheless, the annals of antiquity have all but swallowed their superstitious ancestry.
Obviously, the juggernaut of capitalization knows no bounds. Any entrepreneurial soul will attempt to make money off of something, if he or she finds there is a market for it. Unsurprisingly, gargoyles are not immune to this fact. As many whom identify with the gothic culture has an aesthetic taste for such disturbing sculpture.
Thus, even in this day and age, gargoyles can be seen lurking in all manner of places. Serving, nowadays, as subtle accents, they grace our everyday scene and maybe, just maybe, they still scare away a few demons. Here is to hoping. Read more about: Gargoyle Sculptures
No comments:
Post a Comment