Ethereal Freedom: Archita, Taranto, and the Sky as Theater of the Soul"

I am thrilled to present my latest creation, a piece that embodies the legendary genius of Archita from Taranto and the ethereal atmosphere of his hometown. 

With a gaze directed towards the infinite alongside his dove, Archita emerges from the canvas, in persistent pursuit of freedom and prophetic vision. I have sought to capture not only the imposing figure of the philosopher and inventor but also his connection with the sky and his dreams of flight and hope without attachment. 

The dove (representing myself), delicately held in Archita's hand, symbolizes his relentless quest for knowledge and truth. Like a prophet of ancient times, Archita dreamed of soaring high in the sky, inviting viewers to lift their gaze towards broader horizons and contemplate the infinity of the cosmos with him. Inside the tail of the dove, I aimed to represent a vagina through the philosophical concept of the "ANIMA MUNDI," which refers to the idea of a universal soul that permeates and connects all things in the universe. The dove also aims to represent purity and spirituality, while the vagina symbolizes the creative source of life and rebirth. This fusion of symbols evokes the interconnectedness between the divine and the earthly, inviting the viewer to reflect on the sacredness of life and its continuous regeneration, especially in a historical period like the one we are going through. 

The prevalence of white in the drapery aims to emerge as a protagonist, transporting the interlocutor into a world of vibrant emotions. Over these 8 months of introspective research, I have sought to understand the importance of white in creating depth and meaning, a journey through the light and darkness of the human soul. Every single stroke, every shadow, is an ode to the beauty and fragility of human existence, capturing the essence of our inner duality. I am a passionate Apulian artist of hyperrealism and philosophy, and with this piece, I wanted to celebrate the extraordinary figure of Archita and the cultural heritage of Taranto. Through my work, I seek to convey my deep emotions and stimulate reflection on universal themes. 

Ethereal Freedom: Archita, Taranto, and the Sky as Theater of the Soul

This work represents Mary Magdalene, an emblematic and symbolic figure embodying the dialogue between matter and spirit, the visible and the invisible. I focused on three fundamental elements that interweave into a tapestry of universal meanings: **the gaze**, **the cosmic egg**, and **the hands**.

* **The Gaze** of Mary Magdalene serves as a connection point between the human microcosm and the universal macrocosm. Her gaze, both active and receptive, directed toward the viewer, embodies the paradox of duality: seeing and being seen, being the observer and the observed. This quantum exchange of information conveys the courage to embrace one’s existence within the flow of time, to bear witness to one’s history, and to co-create reality.
* **The Cosmic Egg** is a universal archetype, symbolizing the origin and birth of all things. It encapsulates the essence of primordial energy, the timeless beginning, and represents the field of infinite possibilities, as suggested by quantum mechanics. Within the egg lies the embryo of life, the original purity to which humanity returns at the end of its evolutionary journey, in a cyclical dance that mirrors the movement of the universe. The egg is not only the promise of all possible futures but also a sanctuary offering protection from the inherent uncertainty of time and space.
* **The Hands**, in their gesture of openness and receptivity, become the medium through which Divine Grace manifests in the world. They embody humanity’s ability to act as a bridge between the higher and the lower, between cosmic energy and earthly matter. Mary Magdalene’s hands are the instruments through which the invisible becomes tangible, transforming potential into action.

In this work, Mary Magdalene stands as a symbol of feminine determination, a figure transcending her historical time to embody the eternal role of women as guardians of life and love. Her story resonates with the frequency of a quantum message: the challenge of being both observer and creator, facing the uncertainty of the world with the transformative power of love. Now more than ever, this role calls humanity to defend the beauty of existence in an era of profound change.

Maria Maddalena

In **Axis Mundi**, I aimed to represent the concept of polarity, one of the Hermetic principles that govern the Universe. People meet to truly live, for being born is never enough for anyone.

Polarity is fundamental to our lives because it exists both within and around us. Those who have experienced extremes understand balance, yet even that cannot be a certainty.

These completely extreme differences share the same energy matrix. Imagine ocean waves: a wave grows, reaches its peak strength, and then crashes in an eternal and cyclical dance.

It is an alchemical concept that, in its simplicity, conceals a fractal dynamism, endlessly expanding.

It is essential for humans to ask questions and realize that they are not isolated entities but part of the Whole. Even when unaware of these universal laws, living beings generate connections and, in turn, energies among their kind.

We live amidst opposites and reflect through contrasts, yet the restlessness born between two opposing poles is the premise for any phenomenon to resonate within our inner world.

In **Axis Mundi**, I sought to represent time in its materiality. Despite its rhythm, time is relative, as its perception is deeply subjective and tied to our conscious mind and spatial-temporal framework.

At the top, I depicted divine energy, expanding in a cyclical pattern.

At the center, there is a rope that frays but will never truly break, despite its fragility. It symbolizes the only path that allows us, even for a fleeting moment, to savor the beauty of creation—the shadow of light.

Axis Mundi

What’s behind the mirror?

Perhaps you’ve wondered that too.

Sometimes a mirror can reflect more than just an image—it can symbolize a state of mind, a simple reflection, our beliefs, or even represent a specific moment in our life; an instant.

I’d describe myself as a simple person, eclectic, and, well… sometimes pretty complicated.

I’ve tried over and over to plant my roots in everyday life, spinning on a carousel only to find myself back at the same point, never understanding why.

It’s hard to stand on the edge of your own thoughts and confront them… especially when you’re alone. But in total darkness, that’s where it all began.

I abandoned my personality, my beliefs, my convictions, and gave voice to my intuitive and introverted side.

I tried to listen to my imagination through the music of my soul.

Maybe suffering and love are two sides of the same coin—opposites with the same essence, unable to exist without each other.

It would be shallow of me to say how much darkness lies behind a mirror.

What I do know is that the boundaries of our soul are infinite, just like our possibilities.

And what is possibility?

I’d define it as rebirth—and this is **“The Origin.”**

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Giuseppe Geronimo

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