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To abdicate is to discard, or to relinquish a seat of power with no hopes of ever resuming that seat. In this piece, I found the word "abdication" in the combination of the symbols - all of which pointed to letting go or freeing oneself. In this manner, then, the abdication I am applying is a positive thing - possibly giving up a former state of mind or being for something that might be better than what was there before. Silver can represent purity. A ribbon is a reward for valor, and bubbles (represented by the beads floating randomly across the image) are symbols of death and the transience of life. Necklaces generally imply shackles or chains, but when broken, as this one is, its meaning becomes that of breaking those symbolic bonds or "destroying established order," which is also echoed in the presence of the broken bottle top in the upper left hand corner. The button is also imprisoned within the gear-like element near the center and the scrap of metal is bound by the copper (imperfection). In this case, I choose the definition of the color black that associates it with wisdom and prudence, but also with abandonment. However, just because I see this piece with positive meaning does not mean that it has that positive meaning. This piece could just as easily indicate a relinquishing of an important responsibility out of selfish motives. |