Wednesday 18 May 2011

Atlantis... and the Minoans

I am quite obsessed with the legend of Atlantis for some reason, even when I was small I was taken by the story and believed in it completely.

I just watched the BBC documentary/drama "Atlantis: the end of a world, birth of a legend", which tells the story of the Minoans from the viewpoint of five characters. We are told at the end that it was the eruption of the volcano (by the island of, now, Santorini) that had inspired Plato to create the tale of Atlantis.
Here is a screenshot I took from the movie while watching it:

The Priestess in Crete

For most part our pre-conceived image of the Minoan society is usually based on the "Minoan Snake Goddess" statuette from the Island of Crete. And I think the Costume designer, Moira Meyer, has done a great job at using this image to shape all her costumes. 


I think the costumes in the movie are beautiful, and follow the historical evidence of clothing of the Minoans, but also leave space for the fantasy element of the rich tale and heritage of the land of Atlantis.


Exposed or not? Well, after all, it was shown on TV, thus the designer must consider the target audience... It must probably have been seen as something that will also inform younger audiences, so the breasts of the ladies were covered. It is quite possible that in this era male costumes were more revealing too, but one must always take in to count the ideals of contemporary society when designing.



We see a lot of creamy yellow, and vivid blue (wink at the image above).
Earthy colours might represent their connection to Nature, while the vivid colours might represent their connection to their feminine-self.



Atlantis...
Well, whatever we call it, there was once a world so spiritually rich as Atlantis, where they used crystals for healing, for knowledge,... Atlantis was, and lives within the heart of those who believe.

Now my timid-self shall endeavour onto different shores.
More to come later!

2 comments:

  1. I watched the program about Atlantis just the other night and it certainly makes one wonder. Was Atlantis and the Minoan civilization one in the same. I tend to think so. !!! But will we ever know.?

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  2. The comment above is from myself Rita Roberts

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