#topiel

Mikhail Kalmanson, 'Topiel' (The Abyss), dir. by Wladyslaw Lenczewski, 1917

ORPH

ORPH

Vodenjaks were the masters of all kinds of waters. They were believed to live deep underwater, in crystal or glass castles. Mostly malicious, they helped humans in rare cases. They could morph into different animals, and like that lure people into their deaths. The drowned would then entertain them in their castles forever. A Vodenjak was an absolute ruler of the water he resided in, though at times there could be more than one Vodenjak in a single body of water, in which case one among them ruled the others, and he was called ''The Old One''. Even Rusalkas were under their command. They were imagined almost exactly as the drawing depicts, though the description slightly varied from tribe to tribe of the Slavs. A Vodenjak would call upon the victim three times, and the victim was to resist the calls if they were to survive. Women and sailors sometimes offered sacrifice to this creature, but whatever they got from him always came with a harsh price. The name for this water demon also varied from tribe to tribe (Topiel, Wodnik etc.)

Topiel aka Abyss (1917). Russian poster.

Excerpt of conversation with Eric Laska and Jordan Topiel Paul in room with Impulse Blasts (impulse-blasts.com) and Wash (topiel.info/wash.html) double sound installation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 03-15-13

(via Poster for Abyss (Topiel) (1917, Poland) | Wrong Side of the Art)