Water is the third element I have being exploring as part of my current art practice. (See older post, Fire, Wind)
Without water life on this earth would not have existed.
It sustains life and enhanced our human evolution.
It is not only life sustaining element but it can also cause destruction of large scale, such as floods.
The inhabitance of ancient Mesopotamia perception and impression of water as an essential element of creation. It developed into the concept of god in the name Enki. Water god was also known as Nudimmud and Ea.
Projected as wise, cunning and as fertilizing sweet water.
Owner of rivers and Apsu.
(Abzu / Apsu: springs, streams, rivers and lakes. Fresh water ocean, which lay beneath earth in the Abzu or engur) in Sumerian term
Enki was also regarded as image fashioner, god of shaping, god of artist and craftsmen. Such as potters, bronze casters, stone cutters, jewelers and seal cutters. Water god is also associated with lustration and purifications.
As provider of fresh water and a creator god, who determine destinies.
His statues were regarded as being favorable to mankind.
Reflection
The natural transition of forces of nature into a supreme human being, highlight the ancient dwellers theological notion.
The land of two rivers has being plagued by hostile invasions and annual flooding. Erasing many forgotten stories and memories of the past.
A disruptive and deadly force, which has transformed a once flourishing civilization into a deserted land.
The Sumerian concept was not based on good versus evil.
Rather an act of rage by the element of nature, such as windstorms, flooding, thunderstorms, sandstorms and invasions.
Humble to forces of nature, transpire to hymns and worship of these forces with the hope it will abate or subside the wind, water and fire destructive elements.
The current art project has not yet being documented. It should be completed by the summer period.
Below are selected images of past work inspired by the concept of water and elements of Enki. And samples of ancient texts, invoking ancient perception of water and its powers.
Enki
Ceramic bottle design
The sublime Lord of heaven and earth
Father Enki, whom a bull has begotten
Who, a wild bull caused to be born
O king who planted the mes -tree planted in the Apsu
Who is elevated in all the lands
The great dragon, who stands in Eridu
Whose shadow covers Heaven and Earth
An orchard full of fruit trees stretched over the land
Enki, lord of prosperity of the Anunna gods
Nudimmud the Kla gal of the Ekur
The strong one of Heaven and Earth
Enki
Vase design
Enki builds his sea house
After the water of creation has being decreed
After the name hegal(abundance) born in heaven
like plant and herb had clothed the land
the lord of abyss the king Enki
Enki the lord who decrees the fates
Built his house of silver and lapis lazuli
Its silver and lapis lazuli like sparkling light
The father fashioned fittingly in the abyss
Apsu
Ceramic tiles design
When Enki rises, the fish rise
The abyss stands in wonder
In the sea joy enters
Fear comes over the deep
Terror holds the exalted river
The Euphrates, the south wind lifts it in waves
Kulullu-Fish man
Clay figurative work
I am the fecund seed, engendered by the great wild ox
I am the first born son of Anu
I am the great storm who goes forth out of the great below
I am the lord of the land
I am the gugal of the chieftains
I am the father of all the lands
I am the big brother of the gods
I am he who brings full prosperity
I am the record keeper of heaven and earth
I am the ear and mind of all the lands
I am he who directs justice with the king Anu on An’s dais
I am the leader of the Anunnaki
I am he who has been born as the first son of the holy Anu
Bottle design
