The Cabinet of Curiosities Challenge Part 2
Some of you may recall my previous Cabinet of Curiosities post from way back in June. The challenge was to create a cabinet of curiosities within 3 weeks however, the year took a rather nasty turn and the death of a close friend followed by health issues hindered the creative process. I should really be grateful that I actually completed the project in 3 months, although not quite as ambitious as the original 3 weeks I feel the end result is more than worth it.
At the end of my previous post the cabinet exterior was complete as well as the self unlocking padlock mechanism. The interior was a blank canvas, four large sections of empty space ready to be filled with fantastical things. The final cabinet can be broken down into 4 distinct sections and I will cover them individually.
The Odditorium
Taking inspiration from a typical cabinet of curiosity I wanted this section to be an assortment of inconsistant nooks and crannies in which the client could hide his tools of the trade. The items that adorn the shelves each have a terrible tale or mysterious history that the owner can pluck at any point from the display to recount to his mesmerised audience. There is even a slot for a deck of cards should needs must.
Haunted Artifact Exhibition
The permanent resident of this mysterious corner of the cabinet is a haunted doll of such paranormal magnitude she has to be strapped down to prevent her from ‘wandering’. Even the padlocked box is unable to contain the power of the doll as her ghostly hands have been known to pick the lock in an attempt to escape. A selection of protective talismans and amulets dangle from the display in an endeavour to quell the evil forces than animate this bisque abomination.
Spirit Communication Module
It has long been thought that mirrors are seen as windows to the spirit world. The Spiritus Speculo Infinitum is a type of infinity mirror that opens a portal directly to the spirit realm. Once present they may communicate using traditional methods such as bells and tambourines, if you listen carefully you may even hear them speak. The drawers are filled with items once owned by the dead, these ’spirit catalysts’ are used to lure the spirits of the departed through the portal in order to communicate. Some spirits may even leave gifts known as aports and some of these are on display in the cabinet.
The Professor’s Library
A fitting repository for Prof BC’s classic Doppelgänger series, safely strapped in and protected from the inquisitive hands of the uninitiated. In anticipation of Prof BC’s 'Realm of the Fairies', the pinned and mounted specimen of a winged mummified creature resides in silent protection of the tomes below.
The Spirit Theater
Finally, the cabinet converts into a spirit theater complete with velvet curtains and gold footlight shell lights to illuminate the horrors within. Should the performer be feeling brave he may unstrap the haunted doll to give the audience a demonstration of her unearthly powers (from behind closed curtains of course!)
Thanks
A special thanks goes to the client who originally ordered this commission. Your infallible patience and friendship combined with your artistic understanding of not rushing the creative process was most welcomed. May the Cabinet of Curiosities bring you a lifetime of mystery and wonderment.
