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Getting a head in the world |
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Written by Peter Hamlin, asap
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Tuesday, 10 October 2006 |
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Consider the skull: foundation of the face, basket for the brain, symbol of all that is human.
In the Middle Ages, it was an icon of mortality in catacombs and church chambers. In the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates used it to spread terror. Today, it helps us identify poison and peril.
The skull has provided an effective symbol of rebellion for the disillusioned youth of punk rock, goth and metal. For them, it was edgy, anti-establishment, designed to unsettle.
No matter where it appears, it's hard to avoid the skull's connotations — death and decay.
Today's skull imagery, though, seems safer. Halloween has incorporated it into the slightly-but-not-really-edgy realm of pop culture. Skulls have hit the runway with Lucien Pellat-Finet's cashmere sweaters and Alexander McQueen's skull scarves. Skull merch is plentiful — Roberto Coin necklaces, Ralph Lauren boxers, Van skull-patterned shoes, Disney T-shirts.
The skull has become mainstream. But has the image's potency been lost to fashion? Has its meaning been subverted to accommodate superficial style?
You decide. Take a look at these photos for images of skulls in various forms through the years.
 See the gallery here
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Peter Hamlin is an asap interactive designer. | Only registered users can write comments.
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