Stephen Ellcock Trilogy: The Cosmic Dance, Underworlds and Elements
signed hardbackThe Cosmic Dance
A visual journey from the minute to the infinite, exploring the relationships and harmonies between all parts of the universe and inspiring personal contemplation regarding our own place within it. In The Cosmic Dance, renowned image alchemist Stephen Ellcock presents a pan-global collection of remarkable, arresting and surprising images drawn from the entire history of art to explore the ancient belief that the cosmos is reflected in all living things. Organized thematically, the visual journey begins with the microscopic, the particulate and the elemental; then explores the human body as a cosmos in miniature, the beauty of divine proportions and our search for spiritual enlightenment; before finally revelling in the colossal, the celestial and the infinite.
An eloquent introduction provides an overview of the central themes and expert commentaries introduce each section. Detailed panels provide bitesize information on key concepts and key thinkers – from the four elements to Cosmic Man and from the möbius strip to the Mandelbrot set – while thought-provoking quotations from philosophers, writers, artists and scientists interspersed throughout the artworks prompt a closer, more personal engagement with the images. This stunning treasury of artworks provides the perfect guide to a deeper contemplation of the world around us, allowing readers, in the words of William Blake, to ‘see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour’.
Underworlds
A darkly evocative compendium of images exploring natural, constructed, imaginary and subconscious underworlds, curated by renowned image collector and social media figure Stephen Ellcock. From the burrows and secret bunkers beneath our feet to imagined hellscapes and surrealist dreamscapes, the disquieting, alarming and wonderful visuals span natural and constructed subterranea and imagined and subconscious worlds. A personal introduction by Stephen together with contextual chapter introductions establish the key themes, while supplementary texts elucidate essential concepts, historical events and figures.
Thought-provoking literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations punctuate the intriguing images. Together, the images and authoritative text highlight the interplay between the real and the imagined, revealing how the real has fed our fears and hopes and informed our imagination – and conversely, how our imagination has depicted the esoteric, the abject and the unknown.
Elements
A remarkable compendium of diverse and evocative imagery exploring the wide-ranging and profound associations of the five natural elements, masterfully curated by image alchemist and cult social media figure Stephen Ellcock. Elements is an eclectic, evocative and resoundingly beautiful treasury of imagery exploring depictions of the elemental forces that reveal their profound significance to ancient philosophers, alchemists and astrologers, and modern artists, photographers and scientists alike. Expertly curated, themed and paired by image alchemist Stephen Ellcock, modern and visionary images are juxtaposed with the ancient and arcane; the creative power of the elements is contrasted with the disastrous; and the connections of the elements with the seasons, the humours, the signs of the zodiac and parts of the body are revealed.
Following physician and occultist Robert Fludd’s (1574–1637) presentation of the order of the elements, Ellcock guides readers through a remarkable selection of images, ascending from earth, through water, air and fire before culminating in the most spiritual of the elements, celestial aether. He makes parallels with the five elements of eastern philosophies and their relationship to the chakras, acupuncture and Chinese astrology. Introductory text explores how the elements have defined the components of Earth and the heavens and their relationship to humanity since they were first proposed by the Persian prophet Zoroaster, more than 2,000 years ago.
Insightful panel texts punctuate the pages, illuminating key concepts. Pertinent literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations intersperse the amazing images, presenting further commentary on the overarching themes. At a time when humanity’s relationship with the Earth teeters on the edge of catastrophe, this compendium of images exploring the natural elements promises the possibility of earthly and spiritual harmony emerging from the chaos.
signed hardbackThe Cosmic Dance
A visual journey from the minute to the infinite, exploring the relationships and harmonies between all parts of the universe and inspiring personal contemplation regarding our own place within it. In The Cosmic Dance, renowned image alchemist Stephen Ellcock presents a pan-global collection of remarkable, arresting and surprising images drawn from the entire history of art to explore the ancient belief that the cosmos is reflected in all living things. Organized thematically, the visual journey begins with the microscopic, the particulate and the elemental; then explores the human body as a cosmos in miniature, the beauty of divine proportions and our search for spiritual enlightenment; before finally revelling in the colossal, the celestial and the infinite.
An eloquent introduction provides an overview of the central themes and expert commentaries introduce each section. Detailed panels provide bitesize information on key concepts and key thinkers – from the four elements to Cosmic Man and from the möbius strip to the Mandelbrot set – while thought-provoking quotations from philosophers, writers, artists and scientists interspersed throughout the artworks prompt a closer, more personal engagement with the images. This stunning treasury of artworks provides the perfect guide to a deeper contemplation of the world around us, allowing readers, in the words of William Blake, to ‘see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour’.
Underworlds
A darkly evocative compendium of images exploring natural, constructed, imaginary and subconscious underworlds, curated by renowned image collector and social media figure Stephen Ellcock. From the burrows and secret bunkers beneath our feet to imagined hellscapes and surrealist dreamscapes, the disquieting, alarming and wonderful visuals span natural and constructed subterranea and imagined and subconscious worlds. A personal introduction by Stephen together with contextual chapter introductions establish the key themes, while supplementary texts elucidate essential concepts, historical events and figures.
Thought-provoking literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations punctuate the intriguing images. Together, the images and authoritative text highlight the interplay between the real and the imagined, revealing how the real has fed our fears and hopes and informed our imagination – and conversely, how our imagination has depicted the esoteric, the abject and the unknown.
Elements
A remarkable compendium of diverse and evocative imagery exploring the wide-ranging and profound associations of the five natural elements, masterfully curated by image alchemist and cult social media figure Stephen Ellcock. Elements is an eclectic, evocative and resoundingly beautiful treasury of imagery exploring depictions of the elemental forces that reveal their profound significance to ancient philosophers, alchemists and astrologers, and modern artists, photographers and scientists alike. Expertly curated, themed and paired by image alchemist Stephen Ellcock, modern and visionary images are juxtaposed with the ancient and arcane; the creative power of the elements is contrasted with the disastrous; and the connections of the elements with the seasons, the humours, the signs of the zodiac and parts of the body are revealed.
Following physician and occultist Robert Fludd’s (1574–1637) presentation of the order of the elements, Ellcock guides readers through a remarkable selection of images, ascending from earth, through water, air and fire before culminating in the most spiritual of the elements, celestial aether. He makes parallels with the five elements of eastern philosophies and their relationship to the chakras, acupuncture and Chinese astrology. Introductory text explores how the elements have defined the components of Earth and the heavens and their relationship to humanity since they were first proposed by the Persian prophet Zoroaster, more than 2,000 years ago.
Insightful panel texts punctuate the pages, illuminating key concepts. Pertinent literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations intersperse the amazing images, presenting further commentary on the overarching themes. At a time when humanity’s relationship with the Earth teeters on the edge of catastrophe, this compendium of images exploring the natural elements promises the possibility of earthly and spiritual harmony emerging from the chaos.
signed hardbackThe Cosmic Dance
A visual journey from the minute to the infinite, exploring the relationships and harmonies between all parts of the universe and inspiring personal contemplation regarding our own place within it. In The Cosmic Dance, renowned image alchemist Stephen Ellcock presents a pan-global collection of remarkable, arresting and surprising images drawn from the entire history of art to explore the ancient belief that the cosmos is reflected in all living things. Organized thematically, the visual journey begins with the microscopic, the particulate and the elemental; then explores the human body as a cosmos in miniature, the beauty of divine proportions and our search for spiritual enlightenment; before finally revelling in the colossal, the celestial and the infinite.
An eloquent introduction provides an overview of the central themes and expert commentaries introduce each section. Detailed panels provide bitesize information on key concepts and key thinkers – from the four elements to Cosmic Man and from the möbius strip to the Mandelbrot set – while thought-provoking quotations from philosophers, writers, artists and scientists interspersed throughout the artworks prompt a closer, more personal engagement with the images. This stunning treasury of artworks provides the perfect guide to a deeper contemplation of the world around us, allowing readers, in the words of William Blake, to ‘see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour’.
Underworlds
A darkly evocative compendium of images exploring natural, constructed, imaginary and subconscious underworlds, curated by renowned image collector and social media figure Stephen Ellcock. From the burrows and secret bunkers beneath our feet to imagined hellscapes and surrealist dreamscapes, the disquieting, alarming and wonderful visuals span natural and constructed subterranea and imagined and subconscious worlds. A personal introduction by Stephen together with contextual chapter introductions establish the key themes, while supplementary texts elucidate essential concepts, historical events and figures.
Thought-provoking literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations punctuate the intriguing images. Together, the images and authoritative text highlight the interplay between the real and the imagined, revealing how the real has fed our fears and hopes and informed our imagination – and conversely, how our imagination has depicted the esoteric, the abject and the unknown.
Elements
A remarkable compendium of diverse and evocative imagery exploring the wide-ranging and profound associations of the five natural elements, masterfully curated by image alchemist and cult social media figure Stephen Ellcock. Elements is an eclectic, evocative and resoundingly beautiful treasury of imagery exploring depictions of the elemental forces that reveal their profound significance to ancient philosophers, alchemists and astrologers, and modern artists, photographers and scientists alike. Expertly curated, themed and paired by image alchemist Stephen Ellcock, modern and visionary images are juxtaposed with the ancient and arcane; the creative power of the elements is contrasted with the disastrous; and the connections of the elements with the seasons, the humours, the signs of the zodiac and parts of the body are revealed.
Following physician and occultist Robert Fludd’s (1574–1637) presentation of the order of the elements, Ellcock guides readers through a remarkable selection of images, ascending from earth, through water, air and fire before culminating in the most spiritual of the elements, celestial aether. He makes parallels with the five elements of eastern philosophies and their relationship to the chakras, acupuncture and Chinese astrology. Introductory text explores how the elements have defined the components of Earth and the heavens and their relationship to humanity since they were first proposed by the Persian prophet Zoroaster, more than 2,000 years ago.
Insightful panel texts punctuate the pages, illuminating key concepts. Pertinent literary, philosophical and spiritual quotations intersperse the amazing images, presenting further commentary on the overarching themes. At a time when humanity’s relationship with the Earth teeters on the edge of catastrophe, this compendium of images exploring the natural elements promises the possibility of earthly and spiritual harmony emerging from the chaos.
