I believe video

["dragonet" <dragonet@xxxxxx>]

> From: Jean Lorrah
Hi!

I feel like giving my opinion to this. 

> Jean Lorrah:

> I _think_ the concept of the video is returning the fallen hero to the
> elements of earth, air, fire, and water. 

I agree and the poem that comes in the middle confirms this even if the
water plays the main role here.




> I think you are mistaken.  Karac is the fallen hero--he was named for a
> Celtic warrior, you know.

> Jean Lorrah:

> Yes, I know--that's why most of the imagery is from the northern European
> warrior tradition.  However, those paper boats in the floating scene are
> Japanese, not Celtic, so Robert is apparently going for more a general
> funerary theme.

> Most of Robert's videos are nicely integrated, without a jarring image like
> this one.  So if anyone knows an explanation that makes sense with the rest
> of the video, I'd be interested to hear it.  Jean

I think both of you are right. Don't forget that water is seen as a
cleansing by many beliefs. It is also the symbol for re-birth. For a
celtic warrior cleansing himself in water means he's ready for battle
and for death it comes up in many legends. But it's also the symbol of
the old King dying to let the young King take over which is the celtic
way of re-birth. 

In indian culture the stream of water leads the soul to it's new birth
and the lamps are also used to accompany the soul, only they are put
upon leaves (it would have been less visual in a video though). 

I also felt a bit annoyed by this scene at first but the symbolic side
of it is beautiful and I changed my mind. But let's not forget that
these are just theories and we'll never know exactly what Robert meant
even if this is probably the closest we can get.


Hope this helps. 

The Dragonlady