Well here is the logo. The is no significant meaning around it, just a simple typographic logo. I am going for a modern Greek theme, not a design surrounding horrible Greek motifs that will just make my designs look like flyers for a Greek restaurant.

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Ancient Greek Perfume?

Then Ancient Greeks were apparently very fond of perfumes as it was mostly only affordable for the high class citizens. The ancient greeks used to boil flowers petals and herbs in order to achieve the scents for their perfumes.  These methods isolated the required plant ingredients and then perfumes were made by infusing the extracted scents in oils. The process was a simple version of modern techniques but could create as wide a variety of them as can be enjoyed today. They also had many myths on how perfumes came to be, and most of them referred to perfumes as a gift from the gods.

Perfume was worn by both men and women and was central to cult worship as it was seen as pleasing to the gods and able to win their favour. It covered the scent of sacrifices during ceremonies, and was used as a good omen for marriage and childbirth. Babies were anointed with it for good health. It was also central to death. Perfumed libations were carried at the front of the funeral procession. Bodies were burned wrapped in perfumed shrouds which were thought to help secure a happy afterlife. Other bodies were buried with containers of it, again as offerings to the gods.Perfume was also integral to cleanliness, and used in elaborate bathing rituals by both men and women. It was used so widespread that the philosopher Socrates openly disliked and dismissed its usage claiming it made a free man indistinguishable from a slave.

Athletes used perfume after exercise for medicinal purposes in the form of balms and unguent oils. This is an early recognition of the possible therapeutic and healing properties that are reminiscent of attitudes towards aromatherapy and aromacology in modern times. Hospitality also required an abundance of perfume as guest`s feet were washed and anointed on being seated. Some wines were also perfumed according to works by Appicius, in the hope that they had medicinal properties.

With the importance of perfume so apparent, it is no surprise that it was stored in bottles shaped as birds an animals, sometimes only a few inches in size. Many are found from around the 6th century BC and are known as plastics. In fact, the perfume bottles are spun ceramics and they commonly adopted a shape which reflected the type of perfume to be contained. 

Lekuthos were used for liquid perfume and were slim elegant glass bottles. Aryballes were used for oils and unguents. Alabastron perfume bottles were highly prized, mainly amongst women and it was common for the craftsmen to brand the bottles to mark their craftsmanship, making them even more collectable. As you can see, there are many similarities to modern day attitudes towards perfume.

Example of a lekythos bottle. Mainly used for storing liquid perfumes.

Examples of alabastron bottle, which are bottles for highly prized perfumes, usually kept as collectibles, for it shows the artist or craftsmen’s work on it.

The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology

I have thought about my idea of involving the concept of Greek mythology into my major design project, but because the topic was just too broad and there are too many gods to talk about (this includes higher ranked gods, lesser gods and lesser gods), I have decided to narrow down my research and just focus on one element of Greek mythology.

I have recently been inspired to take a look at the nine muses of Greek mythology. The nine muses are basically nine goddess from ancient Greek mythology whose purpose was to give inspiration to all things concerning literature, science and art (Ancient Greece was very into these things, it was one of their main goals in life). Each Muse has their own story and they each represent different aspects in literature. Each muse has her own unique name, and her own unique abilities.

 

Since I am currently still dabbling in the work of a designer, I suppose muses can serve as part of an inspiration to us. They have always been a huge inspiration to artists of that era, why can’t they serve as an inspiration to us too?

The nine muses are:

Calliope= Beautiful voice
Chief of the nine Muses. She was the patron of epic poetry. Calliope was the mother of Orpheus by the King of Thrace. There is a great story about Orpheus coming to the Myth Pages. Her symbol was a writing tablet. Calliope was probably the most mythically involved of the Muses, and you can find her on this site as the arbiter in the dispute between Aphrodite and Persephone over Adonis (check it out). Calliope was also sometimes called the mother of Hymen (the god of marriage), Ialemus (sad song god), the Corybantes, the Sirens, etc. They’re all very musical children.

Clio= Proclaimer
One of the nine Muses. She was the patron of history, and inventor of historical and heroic poetry. From a union with King Pierus she bore a son, Hyacinthus. He was a handsome lad who was killed by his lover, Apollo. From his blood grew the flower that bears his name. She was also the person who brought the Phoenician alphabet to Greece. Her symbol was a scroll.

Erato= Passionate or Lovely
The Muse of lyric poetry about love and eroticism. She was also the patron Muse of parrots and crows, considering that she was the Muse of Mimicry, as well.

Euterpe= Rejoicing Well or Pleasure Giver
The Muse of lyric poetry and music. But not only that, she was also the cheerful muse. She was in charge of joy and pleasure and flute playing. Her attribute was the double flute, that some say she invented.

Polyhymnia =Many Songs
Polyhymia is the somber and beautiful one. She was the Muse of Sacred Hymn, and of Eloquence. She is shown in pictures as a serious woman usually in a position of meditation or thoughtfulness, sometimes with a finger to her mouth in thought. She wears long robes.
Melpomene =Songstress
One of the Muses. She was the muse of Tragedy and that was it. She is often showing wearing the cothurnus (ie, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors), and she usually carries or wears the tragic mask. Sometimes she also carries a knife or club.

Terpsichore =Rejoicing in the Dance or WhirlingThe Muse of dancing and choral singing. She could be recognized because she was the one dancing around with a lyre in her hands. Like her sister Calliope, Tersichore was a mother. Some say she bore the Sirens with the River God Achelous. The sagas of Thebes call her the mother of Linus by Apollo (others say Calliope and more ancient texts call Urania the true mother – see Urania for his story), also Hymen (like Calliope).

Thalia= Festive or Flourishing
One of the nine Muses. She presided over comedy and pastoral poetry which explains why she holds a comic mask. But Thalia is the “country girl” of the group. She loves to traipse about meadows and forests and rural places. That’s why she carries the shepherd’s crook, as well.

Urania =Mountain Queen
Muse of astronomy and astrology (One of the nine Muses). Mother of a son Linus. His father was Amphimarus (a son of Poseidon), and that he became such a beautiful singer that Apollo grew jealous and killed him. For this, Linus is sacrificed to before the Muses as a hero. Urania is often pictured carrying a globe in one hand and a pair of compasses in the other. They say that Urania inspires only chaste love – but that’s really more using Urania as an epithet of Aphrodite’s – and in classical tradition she rests her foot on a turtle (the symbol of silence and retreat).

(Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080720045342AAMjBvj)(thanks)

So well I am still researching on this subject, and I am going to try to look into some books for further understanding. Meanwhile, I am still looking for a selling point for this shit. Yes. I am thinking calendars and picture books. Selling point and direction? Inspiration for the messed up youth of today. YOLO. I initially thought there were seven muses, thus the idea of a calendar might work, unfortunately, THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN DAYS. Unless I cram the other two muses in the cover.

Tarot cards? Sorry out of the question. I don’t dabble in the occult arts. HAHAHAHA.

 

Becca, out. For now.

 

 

I hate my work. I want to change it but I am stuck. Thats the truth.

Illustrations maybe?

Illustrations maybe?

I would really like to do something like this.

Major Design Project

Alright, the truth is, I have no idea what I am going to do for my exhibition. Others have started constructing their proposal, but I am still stuck in this dilemma of what to do for my project. I know time is short and I have not much time to lose if I want to finish this on time, but I am tearing out my own hair in order to come up with something. I thought of doing a record label, however I realize I have not enough contacts and knowledge concerning this topic. I know research is the key to achieving my goal, however I am always torn between some other things, like publication. I want to do something different from other people, but I don’t think I am just made to create.

I am also afraid to take risks. Maybe thats the problem. SIGH. And people should understand one thing. Creativity should never be rushed. Thats what I think.

Dark inspiration.