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Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Popov - Graffiti script.
On September 23rd, 2007 I wrote about my life script and stated:
“One of the ways to understand who you are and why you are, is to look at the heroes, characters or figures that you relate to or identify with. This can be movie stars, singers, dancers or just characters from film, TV or the media.
When I did this exercise a long time ago I instantly came up with 3 characters.
Snorky the elephant from the Banana Splits
Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh
Marvin the martian”
(end quote)
Then later on I mentioned my admiration at the world famous mime artist Marcel Marceau who recently passed away.
I noted that one common theme of all this is that none of them speak and possibly the depressive like qualities of Eeyore.
In recent times I have come across Oleg Popov. Here is Popov in action
Thank the lord for Wikipedia! They have this to say on this very fine artist:
“Oleg Konstantinovich Popov (Russian) is an extremely famous Russian clown and circus artist. Popov is also called the "Sunshine clown".
He was born on July 31, 1930 in Moscow as the son of a clock-maker. He has studied elements of acrobatia, juggling and other circus skills in his youth. In 1949 he finished the Russian circus school in Moscow and started his career in the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. Six years later, he became the first clown from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to perform in the Western world. In 1969 he was honored with the title of the "People's Artist of the USSR". Popov's fame extended to Melbourne Australia where he was named King of Moomba (1971)”
(End quote)
Many years ago the Russian circus came to Australia and my mother took me to see it. I was absolutely captivated by Popov the clown and this is at the age of about 10 years. For many years I craved to be like Popov the clown and study at the Russian circus school in Moscow. I remember even at one stage, my want was so strong that my mother investigated how an Australian could go and study at clown school in Moscow. Alas it never came to be.
However here we have again another script figure who does not speak! Well they do not speak with words and yet they say so much.
Visual. No words, but says so much.
Like Marcel Marceau, Popov the clown is a performer. Maybe that is what a psychotherapist can be? I do know that I have some narcissistic qualities as I am sure they do as well. Perhaps this allows me to maintain the narcissistic gap that so many psychotherapists require?
Graffiti
21:35 Permalink | Comments (13) | Email this
Comments
He knew how to explain how we feel Tony. Just that clip alone, made me sad.
roses
Posted by: roses | Thursday, 29 May 2008
I didn't feel sad Roses, I loved the way he cherrished the spotlight. The warmth in the light was very important to him as he nurtured and hugged the spotlight. I think the clip is a wonderful and positive representation in loving the inner narcissist. Now if we could only find the same kind of visual metaphor for the Borderline type.
;)
kenoath
Posted by: kenoath | Thursday, 29 May 2008
Did you notice Ken, when he was nice and settled and the spot light wanted/was willing to not wander anymore, that he was asked to leave because 'nature' or the nature of us/things wanted the blindness/cloak of the dark and he and his light were revealing stuff or disturbing their hiding place? So then he took his light (both of which were unwanted) and left.
Perhaps it has many meanings?
I liked the way you see him protecting his inner narcissist. (*Giggling* I'm just practicing being a therapist. Did I say it right?)
roses
Posted by: roses | Thursday, 29 May 2008
I am not sure that I saw the things the way you say Roses. He did safely pack up his light and that was cool; He could then carry his inner glow and be ok about that. Of course I am talking about this Popov video and not analyzing Tony's script. Is that what you are doing too Roses?
kenoath
Posted by: kenoath | Thursday, 29 May 2008
Oops Ken... I wasn't even thinking of Tony. (Sorry Tony!) I totally forgot what the post was all about.
I'm glad that Popov was warmed and able to protect his light. And when i said...
"So then he took his light (both of which were unwanted) and left", well i've thought about it and, his light probably wasn't 'unwanted' at all.
roses
Posted by: roses | Thursday, 29 May 2008
Hi Roses and Kenoath,
No I did not feel like I was being unduly diagnosed. (Then again maybe unconsciously I want to be!!).
I liked to see your discussion with each other to see how much Popov the clown was able to communicate without saying even one word. Maybe that is what we should train our psychotherapists to do.
Thanks for the comments
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, 29 May 2008
That's what the old psychoanalysists did, therapy without talking.
Posted by: Madeleine | Thursday, 29 May 2008
Graffiti,
Do you want me to satisfy your unconscious need and have a go at an analysis?
Might be good for a laugh! (if not risque)
:-)
Posted by: kahless | Friday, 30 May 2008
Ohh - do it Kahless! Can i watch?
roses
Posted by: roses | Friday, 30 May 2008
If you would like to Kahless.
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Friday, 30 May 2008
(nearly running for the hills thinking this is a bad idea...then)
***donning glasses and a Freudian pose***
Interesting. :-)
mmm :-)
The clown / the performer / the mime artist
is a master communicator
strives to entertain
is likened to a clumsy person yet the clown is purposeful
the clown / mimic reaches through our pain to our laughter
Yet the mime artist, is also
sad within themselves (hiding behind others laughter)
controlling in their communication?
and why does a child not want to use their (verbal) voice?
And the clown / mimic has their face painted white. Their mask is part of their prop with a painted smile or a funny tipped hat.
Or for you the shades in your blog picture.
And people are not ambivalent to the clown / mime artist. They tend to love him or be scared of him.
I dont think it is just about the not speaking and other uses of effective communication. I also think it is about the mask.
;-P
(Cool, dude, Tony. Hope my bit of risque fun does not offend. It is not meant to. I love visiting here cos I get to express myself and also have a different side of lightness / good humour which is good. It is sometimes a home for me in blogland.)
Posted by: Kahless | Saturday, 31 May 2008
Oooo... Kahless! You're good.
roses
Posted by: roses | Saturday, 31 May 2008
That seems like a good analysis Kahless.
I liked your glasses and freudian posture
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Saturday, 31 May 2008