So, obvs, I love this umbrella created by the MTA Transit Museum and Municipal Art Society. I wish I knew who came up with the design! (No longer available, but if it were reissued, I would scoop one up.) While it wasn’t a discarded umbrella, I did get to borrow it once.
Nut, ancient Egyptian goddess of the sky, stars, cosmos, mothers, astronomy and the universe, inspired umbrellas. 🌌
It was believed her star painted body bent over the sky and swallowed the sun god every evening and gave birth to him in the morning, representing the eternal cycle of life, protection, and the expansiveness of the universe. 🌎
Umbrellas covering kings in ancient Egypt signified the vault of heaven stretching over the king, indicating divine stature, protection, and power. 👑
In Indian literature, there is a tale describing the god Brahma holding a white umbrella over Buddha’s head after birth. ☂️
One of the ashtamangalas (8 auspicious symbolic attributes), the Parasol, represents protection from harmful forces and the canopy of the sky, the expansiveness of air and space. It signifies the protective quality of pure consciousness, the crown chakra. ☸️
Fortunately now in modern life, umbrellas are widely available and accessible to the public. ☂️
The act of offering someone shelter under an umbrella is a powerful gesture, not only in a literal sense, but symbolically it represents thoughtful care and compassion, shelter and protection during metaphorical storms or intense sun. 💗⛈️☔️🌪️🔥
All of this makes the partnership with Genesis Women's Shelter more auspicious for my upcoming Umbrella Corpse solo show at Art on Main. I am inviting all who attend the opening to bring an umbrella to donate to Genesis, an organization that has been providing life saving support and services to women and children at no cost or strings attached since 1985. There will be options to contribute if you cannot attend, stay tuned. 💗
