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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Nine: The Layered Image – accumulating meaning > Wooden horses, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2005
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15-JUL-2005

Wooden horses, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2005

It is possible to layer images from side to side, as well as from front to back. In this case, I use three layers, moving from left to right, to express my idea. These ornate wooden horses were staring at passersby from an antique window in Santa Fe. They not only were protected by a pane of glass, but also by a wire mesh insert. By shooting the window from an angle, I was able to illuminate the mesh on the left hand side to create the first layer – giving the horse on the left a caged presence. This single caged horse contrasts to the matched pair of horses in the right hand layer, who do not seem to be contained as securely. The wooden panel running down the center of the image is a layer unto itself, symbolizing division. Looking at all three layers together we see these horses as unequal partners, locked away in a microcosmic stable of life.

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Phil Douglis14-Jun-2006 17:43
You are right, Jack. An important facet of expression here involves the incongruity of caging inanimate figures.
Guest 11-Jun-2006 22:06
What I like about this one is the apparent captivity of inanimate figures. I like this play!!
Phil Douglis09-Aug-2005 23:01
If you are the white horse, Ana, you choose well. The white horse stands apart here, even though imprisoned. It seems to have a mind of its own. Just like you. A tradition of nobility is also associated with white horses. Fictional, as well a real, heroes have ridden on them throughout history. Maybe you were once a white horse in a previous incarnation? That would account for the human value you bring to both your images and your writings: class.
Ana Carloto O'Shea09-Aug-2005 16:21
Hummm, they look like prisoners indeed. Prisoners of their own fate, prisoners conformed with their destiny.
And after looking at the photo more attentive, I think that the white horse looks a lot like me actually...
How strange... I'll better go and comment another photo because this one will not do.
Phil Douglis01-Aug-2005 01:36
And I have enormous respect for your idea, Agnes. You have given me new eyes to see this image with. I saw these horse as symbols "locked away in the microcosmic stable of life." You see the horses as art, and the windows and its steel mesh as barriers that may keep people from appreciating art. You even go beyond that, and see the horse as symbolizing the imagination itself, and our certain aspects of society putting limits on how we can use our imaginations. Thank you for this wonderful interpretation, Agnes. You give us all food for thought. And that is what I had hoped this image itself would do -- and in your case, it did.
Guest 31-Jul-2005 15:33
Well,this thing about the layers is interesting indeed..this is what i would never notice if i would take a shot from this horses int he same place...But for sure i couldnt pass next to this view without taking a picture .... The first impresson for me about this shot,is not exactly what u was talking about(the unequal partners)..but more the isolation..i would concentrate more on the cage-simbol of the closed mind,the prison...the wooden horses are the simbols of art for me in this case...And so,we can say,the Art is closed in to a cage.....as nowday it happen often..we cannot express ourselves as we would like to...our hands are locked,by different ways,as the expectations of the society,or the simple fact of that there's noone who would be intereted,or would appreciate the Art what we are doing...And the horse itself as an animal can be the simbol of the imagination..the simbol of our mind,witch is wish for to be free and run,...fly..without any borders........

This shot is just amazing..talks a lot..Respect for your work!
A.
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