Tuesday 28 May 2013

"Siuda Baba" prowls...

According to folklore it is believed that on Easter Monday in the Polish city of Wieliczka  Siuda Baba prowls... Who is she?

Her legend dates back to pagan times. In a period renowned for lawlessness and exceptional ruthlessness, primitive people were always ready to trample over others to achieve one's aim. I can get the impression sometimes that nothing has changed in human relationships since then...

Well… Siuda Baba was a fire guardian in a pagan temple. She was obliged to guard the flames and keep it burning the whole year round. There was a rule that Siuda Baba could not leave the fire, as such her skin was stained black from the smoke and soot. Also, her role allowed her no time to wash.

After years of extreme desperation, with a pagan determination, like a monster, Siuda Baba, was leaving the temple in search of a successor. That's why she started to hunt. Who will be the next victim? Of course the next one who is dumb enough to get caught...

My doll is 25 cm tall. She's not tidy. She carries a large cross in hand and she has a necklace made of chestnuts around her neck, and a large bag filled with potatoes. She is also dressed in modern jeans and dark blue sneakers. This is because her legend is now preserved through the custom of people dressing and performing as Siuda Baba each year in and around Wieliczka.

The period I spent creating this character was a profoundly interesting time for me. :-)

http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siuda_Baba
http://vimeo.com/54204113

16 comments:

  1. Hello Agnieszka,
    An absolutely fantastic doll. The detail and realness you acheive leaves me in awe every time. I enjoyed getting to know about her.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Giac, thank you so much for your words of appreciation! I'm so glad you're here! :-)

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  2. So realistic! Amazing doll!

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    1. <3 Thank you Eliana so much! <3 I try to strive for realism more and more... ;-)

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  3. Wonderful doll! Thank you for all the information, it's always interesting to read about other countries' customs.
    Geneviève

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    1. Thank you Geneviève!:-) I'm so glad that I enriched a little bit your knowledge of Polish folklore :-) Many hugs!

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  4. Twoje lalki są niesamowite !
    Patrzeć na nie to jakby wejść do wnętrza tajemniczej bajki, przedziwne uczucie :)
    Ich widok mnie poruszył.
    Jestem pełna podziwu dla Twojego talentu.

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    1. Aldono, dziękuję Ci za Twój świetny komentarz.
      Cóż, lalki są świetnym materiałem do "przemycania" prawd o nas ludziach, o tym co w nas tkwi, o tym co cieszy, czasem boli.
      Wiara w dobro, sprawia że w tym co robię, przeważają zdecydowanie jasne tony.
      Zdarza się jednak, że obserwując ludzi w przeróżnych sytuacjach, bezradna, z upadłym duchem i z opadniętymi rękami, wykonuję postać, która pochodzi z krainy, w której niestety jedynym motywem przewodnim, wręcz ogłuszającym, porażającym i obezwładniającym, jest tylko i wyłącznie dudniąca głupota... Serdecznie Cię pozdrawiam! :-)

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  5. Uwielbiam takie lalki i takie prace !mają dusze , jestem zachwycona tym co robisz , pozdrawiam.

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    1. Dziękuję Ci Luno! <3 Oj lubię, ja lubię jak lalka jest nie tylko lalką ;-) Ściskam Cię mocno!

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  6. Fantastico trabajo, lleno de realismo.
    Gracias por todoa la informcion, me ha encantado visitarte.
    besitos ascension

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    1. Muchas gracias! :-) I'm so happy you're here. Big hugs!

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  7. This is another amazing doll. Thank you for the background information, which makes it all very interesting and helps to understand the doll much better. You are an exceptionally talented miniaturist. Sandie

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    1. Sandie, thank you very much again! Your words of appreciation make me so happy! :-)

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  8. Jest wyjątkowa! Twoje lalki mają niepowtarzalny charakter, fantastyczna praca.

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    1. Dziękuję bardzo, dopiero zobaczyłam Twój komentarz! :-) A Siuda? Cóż, grasuje dalej bidaczyna...;-)

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