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arakne

Posted on August 19, 2006 @ 9:27 am by massimo | Filed under: animals, blog, mythology, people, wordpress

pizzica taranta salento dancing aynaku illustration adobe

The pizzica (pinch) is the traditional expression of Salento dancing. It is a genre with a frenetic rhythm that is linked to the increasingly prominent revival of the Taranta, a traditional musical culture of southern Italy. Taranta receives its name from the black tarantula spider, a reference to the rapid leg motion the spider makes in order to hypnotize its victim before killing it. Legend has it that people bitten by this mysterious spider (whose existence has never been proved), could be only cured by frenetic music that send them into trance, dancing to exhaustion… Taranta and pizzica ritual dance are said to go back at least two thousand years and are the earthy expression of an universe of rhythm, myth and history especially in the area of southern Apulia (Salento) with traditions of Greek origin. Tarantism still exists in various forms in the rural south, and in the last few years the Taranta revival has been supported in Italy by talented musicians, musicologists, artists and by large numbers of young people for whom the music is simultaneously a stand against globalisation and a confident expression of their own culture. An huge festival is going on in Salento these days and a popular blog gets videos, pictures and comments posted by the festival guests…After visiting the impressive event I’m going to contribute to the blog with a little work of mine: a simple animation of this (e)pic, the dancing Arakne God, (arakne is the Greek word for spider) would be fine enough?

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 19th, 2006 and is filed under animals, blog, mythology, people, wordpress. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

8 people have left comments

This illustration is so hypnotic - perhaps it is the single eye and your trademark gradients. Even before reading the story I was mesmerized. As the world shrinks, it is so important for people to hold onto what is left of their culture. The festival sounds like it would be a fantastic event to attend. Hope you enjoy it! PS thanks for your comment on Robert Johnson! ;-)

Amy Zaleski wrote on August 19, 2006 - 3:27 pm CEST

Yes indeed! Quite fine I think! I used to play the Tarantella on the piano when I was a little girl and I loved it! Your post is beautiful, informative and mesmerizing!!!

valgalart wrote on August 19, 2006 - 6:45 pm CEST

Thanks for the comment to my blog. I like how your pictures are done.

Haley wrote on August 20, 2006 - 9:15 am CEST

what an intriguing illustration… and thank you for sharing this info… I like the fact that our world has grown so small that we can easily share thoughts and words with people half a world away… I do believe we should hold on to our traditions and beliefs with all our hearts but freely share them with those who are interested… we have so much to learn from the WORLD…

michael o’connell wrote on August 21, 2006 - 5:56 am CEST

One of the amazing things about your work is that it’s so consistant. Your drawing sense and craftmanship is always superb.

Bron Smith wrote on August 25, 2006 - 7:49 am CEST

I love your blog! I learn so much - so many amazing stories you have. This illustration is also as wonderful as all your illustrations are. Such amazing lighting and colors. And the movement of the piece is also fantastic. Just so very excellent.

Tiffini Elektra X wrote on August 27, 2006 - 8:54 am CEST

ma dai hai dedicato un post alla pizzaca!!
bello!!!
ciao e grazie del commento … in stò periodo sono un pò legata!!
ah aha ah
ciao ciao
frà

fra wrote on March 4, 2007 - 4:04 pm CET

E’ un evento diventato nazionale, ha riscosso un grande successo con i vari festival organizzati per il mondo… Grande Notte della Taranta.

Notte della Taranta wrote on March 19, 2008 - 10:29 pm CET

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