Halloween Countdown, Day 10

[eldritchhobbit]

Brazilian street artist Herbert Baglione has somehow managed to make an abandoned psychiatric hospital in Parma, Italy even spookier with his paintings of shadows.

The way Baglione’s "shadows" creep out from disused wheelchairs and lurk ominously on the walls seems to evoke the poor souls who used to inhabit the place.

The work is part of Baglione’s "1000 Shadows" project, where he paints silhouettes on floors and walls. (Thanks to gods_lil_rocker.)



One of my first thoughts on seeing Baglione's haunting works at this former psychiatric hospital was of the immortal Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).

Much madness is divinest sense
To a discerning eye;
Much sense the starkest madness.
’T is the majority
In this, as all, prevails.
Assent, and you are sane;
Demur, — you ’re straightway dangerous,
And handled with a chain.

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

That is creepy. It's brings to mind last season's American Horror Story, "Asylum."

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh, good point. ::shudder:: What a show that was. Are you watching Coven? We've DVRed it. I'm anxious to see how it is. I really enjoyed the first two American Horror Story seasons.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

We've DVRed it, too. I'll probably watch it this weekend. I loved the first season, but the second was a bit too "slasher movie" for me. I'm hoping this next season follows more traditional horror lines.

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

it made me cry.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

It's incredibly heart-wrenching, isn't it? *hugs you*

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

those shadows are very evocative of what those people went through. Ah, the horror of being what is not considered normal, whether that means that one is a genius or a true madman. I remember my high school English teacher saying that there is a fine line between genius and madness and it is defined by the *common*. A snarky but true remark?

*hugs you back*.....

btw, i am very much enjoying your reading tho cannot listen to it all at once. Thank you, it's lovely!

[quietselkie.livejournal.com]

Lordy, those are creepy soulshadows in a sad, sad place.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

The sight of them gives me a shiver and wrenches my heart.

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

Oh thats brilliant! Very creepy. :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I thought so, too! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[febobe.livejournal.com]

LOVE it.

I find the history of psychiatric care absolutely heart-breaking and gut-wrenching.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

LOVE it.

Oh, I'm so glad! :D

I find the history of psychiatric care absolutely heart-breaking and gut-wrenching.

Yes! I know exactly what you mean.

[trix middlekauff (from livejournal.com)]

I've seen these - they are incredibly beautiful and strangely elegant I think. I see them as the representation of tortured souls escaping the confines of the asylum.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I see them as the representation of tortured souls escaping the confines of the asylum.

I love this interpretation!

"Strangely elegant" is a perfect description. "Beautiful," too - the motion implied in the lines is amazing.

[abbie culbertson (from livejournal.com)]

Oh I love it! Love! It!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so tickled that you do! Yay!