The Ibis once preened itself upon the shores of
the Nile, and when one observes the elegance
and majesty of the bird as encapsulated in this
piece, it is easy to see why the Ancient Egyptians
should deify the graceful figure. The Ibis was the
corporeal form Toth, who gave man heiroglyphs
and was protector of earthly wisdom. And
doesn't the eye of this Ibis seem to follow us with
a certain omniscent intelligence and pride? The
perfectly structured beak, the sweeping and
dramatic neck, and the intricate delicacy of the
talons make this piece a rare beauty to behold.
But where we may see nothing more than than an
aesthetically beautiful bird, the Egyptians saw a
creature of divine presence, and wrought an Ibis
with a complex and regal personality. Our world
has, for the most part, shed the ideals of animals
holding intellect, and the complex emotionality
that comes along with it; and we smile at the
innocent minds who would concieve of animist
worship. But looking at this Ibis, being in the
presence of such a majestic and truly sensitive
bird, makes us think twice about so easily
dismissing notions of animal personality.
Perhaps, rather than gaining knowledge, we have
lost a primal respect for the world around us. In
some of us, the feeling that nature's beauty is
teeming with passion and emotion is not quite
yet gone. And this piece harkens back, a paen
sung from a long-dead throat, reminding us that
in Ancient Egypt, the most primitive and
essential root of our civilziation, such time and
love was dedicated to the preservation of the
animal ego.
- (FF.22)
|
