The Augurs of Spring is one of the most iconic and widely recognized excerpts from any of Stravinsky’s compositions. Its jolting asymmetrical rhythm contrasted with the repetitive polytonal chord left an indelibly modern impression on music and art. I have intentionally layered the vibrant and relentless outbursts of color and shape to mimic the dissonance and polytonality in the music. Violent, disorienting, surging gestures serve to elaborate the primordial birth of spring; pulsating with life after a long and motionless slumber. The young maidens emerge out of the cacophony, intertwined in the melding body of color, gesture and shape. At the highpoint of the painting you see an ominous figure, representative of the “mother of spring”, deep with ancient wisdom. Sharp connecting lines gesticulate outward from this “motherly” figure as if to pass down the primordial wisdom to the maidens as they move into their places in the unfurling drama. This movement lasts approximately 3 minutes 28 seconds.
