Danger Zone

I usually have to think about the title for a good while, because it is important part of the work and while it is difficult I enjoy the process of connecting meaning. with this one I went pretty much with the first idea I got. It sounds like something a much younger me would have come up with, but read on and maybe you will see what it is really about.

Continuing from previous work mythical animals, this one shares motifs with many myths around the world. My inspiration comes from the Finnish mythology , where the River of Tuoni is a black river that the dead must cross after their passing. It is sometimes a burning rapid with sharp blades of swords, battle axes and sewing needles in it. Sometimes it is a calm stream where a swan can be seen swimming in. In the story of Lemminkäinen in the Kalevala, as his final task in pursuit to marry the maiden of the north, he was asked by his to be mother-in-law to kill the bird. As he comes to the river and is about to shoot the swan with his bow, he is ambushed by a vengeful cattle herder who Lemminkäinen previously insulted. The herder raises a viper from the water and sends it off like a magical spear piercing through several organs of Lemminkäinen. The herder then tosses him into the river and chops the body to pieces.
I am curious the symbolism of the swan in this story. What it is the meaning of this bird that lives in such a dark and treacherous place. Around these parts swan was thought to be a sacred animal related to humans and whoever would kill one would be doomed. Obviously, that was plan of the mistress of the North when she gave the task.
Across the world the swan has many meanings, it is considered to be a symbol of things like purity and light, beauty and grace, eternal love, fidelity, wisdom, and transformation. Like in this story it is connected to the otherworld, due to it is capability to travel through different elements. Regarding love, the swan are known to mate for life and are also fierce protectors of their young. Self-love also comes up - as it is a sole swan, it does kind of resonate. Lemminkäinen had a wife from before, but after she broke her promise of not “going out to town”, in anger he broke his vow of not going to war and set out to pillage and plunder and seek out a new wife from the perilous north- against the advice of his mother.
While working on this piece many synchronicities happen and I’m reminded of the movie Top Gun where the hotheaded main character Maverick is playing to that archetype. Reckless hero like Lemminkäinen, he also has a taste for women, is skilled in warfare and always trying to prove himself. The big twist in the film is when his friend and co-pilot Goose dies, not directly because of him. but his recklessness caught in his rival, the otherwise composed character Iceman. If you follow my musings, the birds, goose and swan are somewhat similar in behavior, and they do share a lot of symbolism. Maverick carries the blame of Goose’s death on himself despite being officially cleared and almost gives up his career as a pilot. He has lost his self, trying to sneak while her love affair also happens to be moving on to new and better things with her career.
He will eventually find himself after talking with his commanding officer Viper, who tells him about his father and his heroism when they flew together. Maverick returns to do what he does best and saves the day, gets the girl back, for the moment at least, and in the end chooses to become an instructor in Top Gun.
Lemminkäinen’s mother will come and rake the pieces of his son from the river and resurrect him. He will find trouble again, as will Maverick.
My previous works with animals have had some symbolism related to crypto. It was not in my mind initially with this one, but the swan through its qualities is also connected to the moon, the desired destination of cryptonauts in hopes of their particular investment shooting upwards. Putting everything on the line for that to happen is why many to crash and burn. I’ve had my taste too, hoping to have learned something over the years. There is a reason for the myths to exist and talk to us through the ages inspiring art.

Danger Zone
Mikko Lyytinen
2023

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