Dark Fallows

Recently someone sent me a video of a very impressive black fallow stag in a Polish forest. This reminded me of those I used to watch in Richmond Park. They’re smaller and not completely black, but still impressive, especially when set against their lighter brethren. Taken in June and September 2020.

Croatian forestry office sign

Damir Stojnić, Wendigo

Currently on show at Labin Art Express, Labin, Croatia. Learn more about the artist here.

Ghost Rut

The 1st of October was my first stag watching foray during this year’s rut. As the sun dropped, fast moving skirmishes began and my camera struggled to keep pace with the action, capturing these increasingly blurred and ghostly shapes …

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One of the key challengers.

There were repeated and sometimes very ill-advised forays by challengers trying to isolate hinds. As it grew darker, stag calls were audible across the park.

Nicolaes Witsen Priest of the Devil

This 1692 image is known as the earliest depiction of a Siberian shaman and appeared in Dutch explorer Witsen’s account of his travels. Antlers were also associated with pre-Christian pagan beliefs in Western Europe and Witsen inevitably viewed Siberian shamanism in this demonic light.

C.O.T.A. – NEW MYTHOLOGIES

An elegant design for the cover of this atmospheric Californian release.

C.O.T.A. New Mythologies CD cover. Sonick Sorcery, 2012.

Folk Art in Killarney

Mural on an industrial estate in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Photos by Alexei Monroe, June 2019.

Neue Slowenische Kunst: Krst pod Triglavom, 1986

The large, mobile stags that played a prominent part in the scenography of Krst pod Triglavom (Baptism under Triglav). This was the largest-ever Slovene theatrical spectacle and used avant-garde art to explore Slovene identity. The stag is a key NSK signifier.

Photo by Jože Suhadolnik. See more of his Suhadolnik’s classic NSK photos here.

The stags are also clearly visible in the 1987 video for Laibach’s Geburt einer Nation

 

Past Life Threat Messages by Wizards Tell Lies.

Artwork for the dense and atmospheric album Past Life Threat Messages by Wizards Tell Lies.

 

 

 

 

Woodland Gathering VI, Cumbria, 16-17 August 2009

A more coherent and stylish example of stag imagery than many, this poster promotes an event in a beautiful location with a very promising line-up.