|
|
 |
Lost
|
|
Artist Statement: I have long been fascinated by the etymology of "Santa Claus," a mythical figure
with roots in ancient European and Middle Eastern folklore. The current Santa
Claus caricature was based on St. Nicholas of Lycia, a 4th-century bishop of Asia
Minor known for giving gifts to the poor (according to legend, by dropping gold
down their chimneys). During the Middle Ages in Europe, St. Nicholas evolved
into "Sankt NikolausÓ in Germany, and ÒSanct Herr NicholaasÓ or ÒSinterklaasÓ in
Holland. In these countries, Nicholas was sometimes said to ride through the sky
on a horse delivering gifts. He wore a bishop's robes, and was at times accompanied
by Black Peter, an elf whose job was to whip naughty children."1 By the 18th
century, this character was replaced by the more modernized "Dutch figure,
SinterKlaas, which settlers brought with them to Nieuw Amsterdam (now New
York) and who inspired the American transformation of the figure and even gave
him his name." It was in this future commercial and military capital of the world
where our modern notion of a jolly fat Santa Claus emerged in the 19th century.
The original "Santa Claus," St. Nicholas, a resident of what is now Turkey, likely
appeared far more Middle Eastern in appearance than our current American caricature
of a jolly, ruddy fat man in red invented by artist Thomas Nast of Harper's
Magazine in 1868. One should remember that this saint's life story symbolized
love, caring, and generosity.
The soundtrack music is by the Canadian group Set Fire to Flames (an adjunct
band to the Canadian group Godspeed! You Black Emperor). The software used to
create this 59-second video was made with Autodesk VIZ 4 and Adobe Premiere
utilizing a RPC (Real People Content) moving-image plug-in of Santa Claus by
Archvison.)
1. Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2003.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
