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Middle ground, 2022
A Photograph by Anthony Ness
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This was the first piece completed of a vertical triptych; it is the middle image and symbolizes the mental realm. It is the intersection of spirit and matter; concepts, a means of categorizing and organizing. and a quest for identity begin here.
In the entirety of the triptych, the bottom center of this image would be the location of base of the spine; a coiled snake, representative of kundalini energy residing here, crushes an apple which falls apart and flowers out. The apple is a symbol of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Held by the tip of its tail is the seed like that in which Mother Earth sleeps, we grow from this seed.
The seed that grew in this piece is found in the upper left corner; an exposed and ambiguous human kneels looking to the heavens, holding a mirror, with the words "Have You Seen Me?" A reference to the missing person advertisements; but in contrast, we are only found in the mirror, it is the only means of seeing ourselves, yet as soon as it is put down, we no longer see who we are. And so we must be outside ourselves, many have concluded, I only see me out there, so we begin to adorn ourselves with thoughts and systems projected outward in our attempt to find identity.
