Friday 14 August 2009

A Story in a Box


I really hope you decide to have a go at this months challenge ...... you are such a talented gang; this could prove to be VERY interesting!
We would like you to tell us a story in a box. It could be one made up by you .... or you could do what I've done and use a ready-made story.
You could use any kind of box/container and materials. My box is 4" x 4".

You may already know that I have a passion for Pre-Raphaelite paintings and so decided to choose one of my favourites as a basis for a story. The painting is 'Pia De' Tolomei' by Rossetti. (The model was William Morris's wife Jane - who Rossetti was in love with at the time.)
The story originates from Dante Alighieri's 'The Divine Comedy' in which he descrives his journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise - see here for more info. In the 'Purgatory' section Dante describes his meeting with Pia de' Tolomei who had been imprisoned in a fortress in Maremma (Tuscany). Its a very sad story!
Ghino has fallen in love with Pia, wife of his cousin Nello. When she refuses his love, in revenge Ghino informs Nello that he has discovered a secret message proving that Pia is having an adulterous relationship. This is untrue but Nello imprisons his wife and leaves her to die.

In the painting Pia is toying with her wedding ring...once a joy and now a mockery. She is surrounded by ivy - representative of clinging memory. A rosary rests on a book of prayers beneath which can be seen old love letters from her husband.
Pia has a very sad and wistful expression.
I have tried to use these symbols in my work. The outside of the box is covered in torn text representing the love letters. I used a smaller box lid inside and cut the picture to raise the area where her head is. I found a rosary in my treasure box and used an old bronze brooch at the top.

(Click on picture.)
You can make your piece as simple or as complicated as you like....I can't wait to see your stories!
Linda x

23 comments:

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

WOW Linda!!! SO very beautiful, touching and inspiring...another lovely challenge for us...thank you! I will be getting busy soon!
oxo ~*~ Patty

Jaqi said...

Oh Linda, this is stunning and I can imagine that you will have some amazing entries for this challenge. I will enjoy joining in and need to get my thinking cap on . I cant stop looking at it its so wonderful , the pictures make you just want to reach right out and pick it up.
Thank you so much for sharing, I love it , Jaqi xx

Anonymous said...

Linda this is really incredible, and a wonderful challenge. I can't wait to get started and I can't wait to see everyone's work! Christen

Lynn said...

OMG this is fantastic Linda, and what a tragic story. I love how you spliced into the painting too it gives it more dimension, I give you a standing ovation.
This really is a challenge, I hope to join in this month :)

Luisa Migon said...

Linda, my story in a box (literally!!!) is on my blog! :O)

TFL!

WildGoose said...

This is a very lovely assemblage piece you've created, I find the scale of it particularly incredible to contemplate!
You have issued a challenging and beguiling challenge that will call out the best in everyone, I"m sure, because of your wonderful inspiration piece...

dolls like us said...

I love what you do .

Teresa aka Tess said...

Absolutely gorgeous. You ladies are so amazingly talented. Well done!! And I love that owl in the previous post too.

The Joy of Nesting said...

Linda what a wonderful interpretation!! Truly some of your most creative and sensitive work!! How fun it has been to watch as you stretch your wings, catch the updraft and soar into the magical freedom that is art! :)

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Mollye said...

Oh goodie goodie gumdrops! I love tellin' a story and can't wait to do this challenge. Thanks for another brilliant idea and I'll get started asap. Peace, Mollye

Lori Saul said...

http://ravenpainting.blogspot.com/2009/08/mystic-theatre.html

Gorgeous sample piece- my entry is on my blog- a fun challenge!

Charlotte's Art Talk said...

I love the romantic feel of the Pre-Raphaelite story in a box. It's beautifully Victorian.
Charlotte

Unknown said...

Here is my entry, "The Royal Rooster NapoleaHEN":

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg572F0aKsg/SowXGCJ8CNI/AAAAAAAAAkM/3xzIzlHnsus/s1600-h/Royal+Rooster+Napoleahen.jpg

Come check it out on my blog, and pick up some cool freebies too!

www.pixelmusicscraps.blogspot.com

Cassandra said...

WOW this is amazing! I love it!

Mollye said...

Hey girls, I finished my box and will post it Monday but wanted to invite you both and your readers too to come visit my blog this weekend and enter my Contest and Giveaway! Fun:) xox Mollye

Unknown said...

Hi Linda, it's been awhile since I joined in with all the fun here...I do hope to catch the next challenge as I'm sure it's too late to do this one now...
Your creation is awesome, just perfect!!!
(((hugs)))
Bevie

My Creative House said...

My story in a box is finish, if you visit my blog you can see what I have done. Thanks for a wonderful and fun challenge.

WrightStuff said...

Oh wow - just found this challenge. Not sure I've got time this month and how could I possibly live up to this?? Have you been watching Desperate Romantics? I've been waxing lyrically about them on my blog - it was a fun series though I think it may have just 'sketched' a little around the truth! Next month I'm going to the exhibition at the Royal Academy on J W Waterhouse - can't wait.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katrina said...

This is th efirst time I have jioned in to one of your challenges but have been having great fun with it. Here is mine

http://artyparrot.blogspot.com/

Nettie Edwards said...

Oh my goodness! I had completely forgotten the subject of this month's challenge...but maybe it was in the back of my mind...anyway, I have just put the elements of a story I'm working on, into a digital box, to help me think about them better. Here's my box and something about why I made it:

http://lumilyon.blogspot.com/2009/09/work-in-progress-cabbage-field.html

Thank you for looking x

Gini said...

What a fabulous, thoughtful and clever Pia De Tolomei Linda!

I don't like sad endings so let's change it!

Send Nello my way and I'll glitter glue him into submission and sense. If he proves recalcitrant I will bring out the big guns in the form of embossing powders and "The Heat Tool".
The shiny way will prevail.
(Oh the irony - I'll torture you into a shiny happy person!)
Once he has seen the shiny light he can go rescue Pia and spend the rest of his life making it up to her in many romantic and ever increasingly inventive and novel ways.
Ghino can stand in the corner facing the wall for a very long time, we'll let Pia decide when he can come out of the corner.
Ghino having had plenty of time to reflect on the error of his ways made reparation for his cruelty by becoming a highly successful and adept matchmaker. The world is now full of happy couples who all have a little shrine on their mantelpiece dedicated to Ghino the Marvelous Matchmaker.
And they all lived happily ever after.
## Ta Da ##
Shiny happy ending :-)

Epilogue
The fortress in Maremma has been transformed and is now a remarkably popular crafting retreat. The tower in which Pia was held is now used as a wailing arena where everyone can vent their crafting and glueing woes.

I nearly forgot, my entry is here

Thank you for looking!
Gini
xx

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

I cannot believe my story in a box never made it out of my head....always lovely seeing all of the creativity you and Rosie inspire Linda!
Keys = great challenge especially the thought of making my own :0)