Danse Macabre

Dance of Death (1493) by Michael Wolgemut


October 9, 1835 is the birth date of Camille Saint-Saens.

This isn't a "Classical Music" blog, but I was thinking of sneaking in a little Spooky Sunday fun for an early October evening. One of Saint-Saens' most famous pieces is the Danse Macabre. This tone poem is based on a story in which Death appears at midnight every Halloween and summons up the dead from their graves. To the sound of Death's violin, they dance until sunrise. Then they return into the earth and wait for another year to pass so that they can enjoy another night of liberating dance.

In late medieval lore, the danse macabre was symbolic of the universality of death. Regardless of your age, wealth, social status, or personal talents, the Reaper was always at your side. Death was waiting for all mortals. And so Life was nothing but a dance on the way to the grave.

Morbid stuff!!!

Dance of the Dolls (2011) by Anthony Clarkson

But I find the imagery fascinating. Dancing is such vigorous and life-affirming activity that the combination with Death creates a transgressive thrill. Lifeless things should not be dancing. And dancers should not be dead.

There Is No Light Without Darkness

"Star Light, Star Fright" (2008) by Anthony Clarkson

I've been thinking about marionettes. They creep me out with their jerky movement, frozen faces, and gravity defiant steps. It's likely a variation of the Uncanny Valley effect. Likewise, realistic 3D computer animation and humanoid robots make me just as uncomfortable.

With regard to marionettes, I enjoy the chills that they give me. It's a morbid fascination that keeps me watching, even as the goosebumps crawl across my skin. The image above captures the feeling, the tension between menace and enthrallment. I like it!

I'm really fond of Anthony Clarkson's work. Creepy, yet captivating. If you're interested in such a dark aesthetic, make certain to visit his website, the Grim Wonderland.

Here's another example of the delightfully uncanny. Enjoy!