Spring 2013: 'Contemplate Death' by Garry Kaulitz

Location: Arc Gallery (UAA/APU Consortium Library, First Floor Entrance) Show dates: Friday, March 22-Friday, April 26 Reception: Friday, March 22, 5-7 p.m.

The Arc Gallery presents an exhibition of text by Garry Kaulitz, professor and area head of Printmaking in UAA's Department of Art.

Kaulitz on the inspiration for the exhibit: The Eyes of Horus have a very specific meaning. The right eye of Horus represents concrete factual information controlled by the left brain. It deals with words, letters, numbers and things that are describable in terms of words, sentences and thoughts. It approaches the universe in terms of a male-oriented ideation. The left eye of Horus represents the abstract, aesthetic information controlled by the right brain. It deals with esoteric thoughts, feelings and is responsible for intuition. It approaches the universe in terms of a female-oriented ideation.

The eye itself is represented as a figure with six parts. These six parts correspond to the six senses--touch, taste, hearing, thought, sight and smell. These six parts of the eye become the 'input' receptor, with six doors to receive data.

Funerary amulets were often made in the shape of the Eye of Horus. The purpose was to protect the deceased in the afterlife. My beliefs of death are quite simple and contrary to the Egyptians' belief in the afterlife. I do not believe in an afterlife--we just die and return to the earth, closing the six doors. No consciousness, no gods, no redemption and no glorious reunions... just dead.

Why use a symbol from a society that promoted the afterlife? Two reasons: First of all, as a symbol representing the portal of life's senses as described by the Egyptians and their reference to the right eye constituting rational, scientific thought. Second, by the graphic symbol itself and the implication of 'I' in eye.

March Archive