Raspunzel
Pedro Rafael Noguera, born in Santa Marta-Colombia, known by artistic pseudonym of PETRUS PETRACUS, is an emerging visual artist from the Colombian Caribbean who presents to Creativity in the Time of COVID-19 a portraits series entitled "The Mirror, Four Stories of the Inner SELF Reflection". These Images belong to his most recent photographic work, inspired in some crucial psychic experiences of three characters, during the lockdown period, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic."The Mirror, Four Stories of the Inner SELF Reflection". These Images belong to his most recent photographic work, inspired in some crucial psychic experiences of three characters, during the lockdown period, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this, Petrus Petracus experiences an honest recall of unusual emotional circumstances experienced by its anonymous protagonists, which were recreated on request, being sensibly captured through his vision:” In the complete privacy and security of rustic bedrooms, its characters were pleased to be portrayed; even, feeling uninhibited, and showed themselves naked with great freedom. It was a special occasion for me to suggest the use of a mirror-tool intended for self-observation or vanity exaltation- as an essential element, due to the narrative purpose of this urban photographic work”
The Mirror, Four Stories of the Inner SELF Reflection, allows us, among many other countless personal experiences occurred in recent pandemic times in particular, how such a dramatic global success, emotionally affected daily lives of four Colombian natives during lockdown. This sad circumstance gave rise to disinhibiting their inner self and acknowledging in it, this meant a heavy burden of adverse emotions, where fear of death was prevalent. However, this fact curiously led them to create self-defense mechanisms: Taking bedroom´s intimacy, freed themselves in body and soul and willing to adopt new behaviors without any prejudice by doing things previously few or none considered. Thus, nudity, putting on makeup or cross-dressing became pleasant activities to daily routine, then more, such as listening to music, reading books or chatting in social networks.
Those unusual habits perhaps mitigated considerably negative effects in their mental and emotional health as a result of long social isolation.
Therefore, being naked or dressed up, or self-contemplation in front of a mirror, could be considered by them a meaningful experience. But, such a daring assumption, perhaps can lead us to think about some other ambiguous meanings…
Photograph No 4 “Raspunzel”
My hair grew healthy and with patience, but confinement came and everything changed. I no longer felt Rapunzel who was also confined. The concern of housework, keeping everything clean, disinfected, helping mom, taking care of dad who was at risk, made me follow the biosecurity protocols to the letter, I no longer cared about taking care of my hair, I simply cared about the health of my family .
In April my birthday came and that's where I stopped to stare at myself in the mirror, and I realized that I had stopped exercising, that my eyes looked tired, my skin was dry and that my curls with tied strips were, when I released them, they were they looked sad, my hair was falling out, just like the withered leaves of a plant that is not watered.
Now I look through my window, just like Rapunzel waiting for her prince, I don't expect a prince, I hope that this threatening illness passes soon. In the meantime, I advise myself on concoctions that can help my curls revive…”
• Quote of the protagonist.
