Description
Book SynopsisA visual journey from the minute to the infinite, exploring the relationships and harmonies between all parts of the universe and inspiring personal contemplation regarding our own place within it. In The Cosmic Dance, renowned image alchemist Stephen Ellcock presents a pan-global collection of remarkable, arresting and surprising images drawn from the entire history of art to explore the ancient belief that the cosmos is reflected in all living things. Organized thematically, the visual journey begins with the microscopic, the particulate and the elemental; then explores the human body as a cosmos in miniature, the beauty of divine proportions and our search for spiritual enlightenment; before finally revelling in the colossal, the celestial and the infinite. An eloquent introduction provides an overview of the central themes and expert commentaries introduce each section. Detailed panels provide bitesize information on key concepts and key thinkers â from the four elements to Cosm
Trade Review'Visually overwhelming, profoundly uplifting … astonishing … Ellcock’s curation of images is a marvel of sympathy … the book’s accompanying text marches you briskly through a magnificent number of the world’s mythologies, religions, philosophies, arts, and sciences, drawing connections and noting similarities' - Julian Gough, Irish Times
'Glorious … there’s great beauty here … The text too is engaging … Only connect, said EM Forster; here’s a mind-blowingly beautiful way to do it' - The Times LUXX
Table of ContentsPreface: Regaining Perspective
Introduction: As Above, So Below
1. The Infinitesimal Universe
2. God in Miniature
3. Divine Proportions
4. In Search of Nirvana
5. And So On To Infinity
Bibliography
Sources of Illustrations
Sources of Quotations
Index
Acknowledgments
