On the Rosy Cushion Recliner

Camera Obscura's Let's Get Out of this Country Album Cover Analysis

Upon first glance I thought her expression was one of shock or surprise, perhaps, but on closer examination the face is almost devoid of expression. Her's is a stare that is quite automatonic, one of observation. Rabbit-hole pupils. With her fingers in her ears, the message is quite clear: Keep One's Observations Silent. Under the explanations of colors in the 1930 Rosy Cushion Forum, the color of her blouse, teal (which is an even proportion of blue and green), is described as symbolizing "compassion and deep sympathy." Note that her eyes are of the same color. So we now know what she represents and how she sees. She is surrounded by the rose, symbolizing "unselfish love." Since there are many, we can either assume that there are many more like her or that combined with her expression and hand positioning, she carries their many secrets. The brownish-red in the background of the wallpaper which seeps between the roses and the leaves represents avarice. Her secrets, should she reveal them, will make her wealthy, but at the cost of her heart. On the table in front of her are three roses (only the top small slice of the middle one can be seen and there are several more stems but the flowers of which are not shown) and a bouquet of what appears to be Forget-Me-Nots. Roses can be interpreted many different ways, but I am sitting on the Rosy Cushion right now. The three roses are the Christian Trinity, distinguishing her faith, and the Forget-Me-Nots (which have several splendid stories pertaining to their origin) represent Christ, or a lost or separated lover which her faith keeps her connected to. It is a flower connected with romance and tragic fate. She is leaning into fabrics and jewelry. There appears to be two necklaces intertwined. One gold, and one green. Both of these colors are generally positive. Below them we can see a yellow piece of beaded jewelry. The 1930 Forum describes gold and yellow as pure intellect (mathematics, philosophy, and contemplations.) Green is described as "ordinary sympathy and adaptability." These facts--that she is intelligent and compassionate--combined with those extracted from the symbolism of her blouse and eyes now gives us a full representation of her mind and heart. On a higher level, this photo could be said to represent the very art of finding the heart. For in true love, secrets must be kept, sympathies given. But at face value there is something which borders on the disturbing here. The girl and the objects surrounding her create a strange brew. A ladle full of both Laura Ingals Wilder and Laura Palmer--which is why it is only fitting I post this essay on this night. Whose bowl will this stock flow into? Who will collect their union's soul?

I have been chirping on this recliner, though flowers have a language of their own. Tuzzy Muzzy.

Two other pieces worthy of note are the fingers the girl displays on each hand and the position her arms and hands form. On her right hand we see two fingers and on her left three. 23. Now numbers, depending on what one uses as a guide, can have as many, if not more meanings than colors. Gematria, Mu Mu, 23rdians, Discordianism, Michael Jordan, Dr. Pepper, etc. Numerology is madness! The positioning of her arms and hands form an X. As above so below, holy grail, Triangle of Set, hourglass, bowtie, etc. etc. etc. Oh, and the checkered box in the left corner.

In Carl H. Claudy's Introduction to Freemasonry, I. Entered Apprentice, he describes the essence of truth as lying in the "symbolism which each man takes for himself, different as men are different, greater as perception and intelligence greater, less as imagination and understanding are less." With that said, I will say that every one of us, if a society be magnificent, will witness a different meaning from all symbols and their combinations thereof. Different correlations. It is the job of each of us to destroy the other and create our own palaces in their place, while remaining respectful to thy neighbor (of course). Critics of art are constantly attempting to define the colors of which artists employ. There is most certainly no "Grand" key to which the critic can fairly apply. Each color, for each artist, according to each piece of art, will result in different meanings. Even the artist will not fully understand. Yet, it seems, even when we adhere a developed system upon a piece, something beautiful may arise from such an act. So to each their own, I suppose. Some believe in miracles, and some do not.

One has to keep one's self busy, and it is VERY cold here.

This world IS real.

There is much which can be learned from sitting on the Rosy Cushion. Much that will emblazon the imagination. But what of those days from our earliest youth? What of THAT imagination? It never did require esoteric text, college courses, nor prayers or kama sutra. So where did that unbridled mind go? And can it return? Only with innocence, I fear.

Finished. I read this and find that I have perhaps described myself much more than I have described the face of this album cover. Interesting.