Narcissus

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= //NARCISSUS// by Ben Timpson = Locust, palmetto bug, ink, wax, mesh, okra, resin, rock.

**AUDIO READING: The Myth of Narcissus** media type="custom" key="6954777"

= ARTWORK: The Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Dali =
 * [[image:37MetamorphosisOfNarcissus.jpg width="499" height="253" caption="The Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Dali"]] ||
 * Dali wrote the following poem as a textual counterpart of this painting from which some of the hints as to the meaning and state of the objects on this painting can be derived.

Narcissus, in his immobility, absorbed by his reflection with the digestive slowness of carnivorous plants, becomes invisible. There remains of him only the hallucinatingly white oval of his head, his head again more tender, his head, chrysalis of hidden biological designs, his head held up by the tips of the water's fingers, at the tips of the fingers of the insensate hand, of the terrible hand, of the mortal hand of his own reflection. When that head slits when that head splits <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">when that head bursts, <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">it will be the flower, <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the new Narcissus, <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gala - my Narcissus

<span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Source: [] || = ARTWORK: Narcissus by Caravaggio =

= **THE FLOWER: Narcissus** = Narcissus is one of the most popular flowers in the world and ** the most popular flower in Germany **. A spring-flowering bulb, Narcissus is the name of a genus which includes flower bulbs like Daffodils, Jonquils, Paperwhites and so forth. Narcissi (plural form of Narcissus) are easily grown from bulbs. The word** Narcissus is derived from the Greek word narke, meaning numbness or stupor **. Some attribute the naming of the flower to its ** narcotic fragrance ** while others debate that it is associated with the ** poisonous nature of the Narcissus bulbs **. (source: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">[])

= PSYCHOLOGY: Diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder =

**(Source:** ** Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition DSM-IV) ** A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: (1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements) (2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love (3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions) (4) requires excessive admiration (5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations (6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends (7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others (8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her (9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

<span style="font-family: Arial,Sans; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px;">NYC Art Installation: **The Narcissus series** <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Sans; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">media type="custom" key="6950095" <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Sans; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">** The Narcissus series was an art installation at Eyelevel Gallery in New York city during the summer of 2010. The premise of the Narcissus Series is to recreate the conditions of the myth and capture that moment of self-recognition. **

= **VIDEO: Lego Animation of the Myth of Narcissus** = <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Sans; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">** ﻿media type="youtube" key="AC_0gl5yQU4?fs=1" height="364" width="445" **

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PHOTO: The Modern Narcissus = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted to see what I would find if I Googled "modern Narcissus", and this is what I found. All the pictures looked pretty similar: a boy peering into the water, sometimes looking love-stricken, other times wishful and contemplative. All good interpretations for a modern view on this ancient myth.This led me to think, just because you're looking at yourself, or care about your appearance, it doesn't make you narcissistic, does it? The definition of "narcissism", as told by dictionary.com, is inordinate fascination with oneself, or excessive self-love. This leads me to understand that while it's okay to take pride in oneself, to be obsessed with yourself is //not// okay.

uploaded by Courtland S. == http://www.davidrevoy.com/?static2/illustrations
 * Narcissus and Echo by David Revoy **

uploaded by Courtland S.

=Narcissitic Personality Self-Test= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I am not good at influencing people. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I am essentially a modest person. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I tend to be a fairly cautious person. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I know that I am good because everybody keeps telling me so. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. If I ruled the world it would be a better place. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I try to accept the consequences of my behavior. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to be the center of attention. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I am not too concerned about success. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I think I am a special person. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I see myself as a good leader. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I wish I were more assertive. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I don't mind following orders. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I don't like it when I find myself manipulating people. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I usually get the respect that I deserve. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to show off my body. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. People are sometimes hard to understand. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to take responsibility for making decisions. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I want to amount to something in the eyes of the world. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to look at my body. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I will usually show off if I get the chance. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. Sometimes I am not sure of what I am doing. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I rarely depend on anyone else to get things done. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. Everybody likes to hear my stories. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to do things for other people. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I take my satisfactions as they come. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to be complimented. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. Power for its own sake doesn't interest me. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I like to start new fads and fashions. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I am not particularly interested in looking at myself in the mirror. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. It makes me uncomfortable to be the center of attention. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. People can't always live their lives in terms of what they want. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. People always seem to recognize my authority. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. It makes little difference to me whether I am a leader or not. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I hope I am going to be successful. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I can make anybody believe anything I want them to. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. Leadership is a quality that takes a long time to develop. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I don't like people to pry into my life for any reason. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I don't mind blending into the crowd when I go out in public. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. There is a lot that I can learn from other people. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> B. I am an extraordinary person. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Assign one point for each response that matches the key. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">1, 2 and 3: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 4, 5: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 6: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 7: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 8: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 9, 10: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 11, 12, 13, 14: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 15: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 16: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 17, 18, 19, 20: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 21: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 22, 23: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 24, 25: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 26: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 27: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 28: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 29, 30, 31: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 32: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 33, 34: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 35. B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 36, 37, 38, 39: A <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 40: B <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The average score for the general population is 15.3. The average score for celebrities is 17.8. Young says it is important to consider which traits are dominant. For example, an overall score that reflects more points on vanity, entitlement, exhibitionism and exploitiveness is more cause for concern than someone who scores high on authority, self-sufficiency and superiority, he says. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Authority: 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 32, 33, 36 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Self-sufficiency: 17, 21, 22, 31, 34, 39 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Superiority: 4, 9, 26, 37, 40 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Exhibitionism: 2, 3, 7, 20, 28, 30, 38 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Exploitativeness: 6, 13, 16, 23, 35 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Vanity: 15, 19, 29 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">• Entitlement: 5, 14, 18, 24, 25, 27
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">1. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I have a natural talent for influencing people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">2. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. Modesty doesn't become me.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">3. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I would do almost anything on a dare.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">4. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. When people compliment me I sometimes get embarrassed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">5. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. The thought of ruling the world frightens the hell out of me.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">6. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I can usually talk my way out of anything.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">7. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I prefer to blend in with the crowd.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">8. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I will be a success.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">9. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I am no better or worse than most people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">10. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A. I am not sure if I would make a good leader.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">11. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I am assertive.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">12. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I like to have authority over other people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">13. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I find it easy to manipulate people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">14. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I insist upon getting the respect that is due me.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">15. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I don't particularly like to show off my body.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">16. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I can read people like a book.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">17. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. If I feel competent I am willing to take responsibility for making decisions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">18. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I just want to be reasonably happy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">19. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. My body is nothing special.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">20. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I try not to be a show off.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">21. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I always know what I am doing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">22. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I sometimes depend on people to get things done.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">23. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. Sometimes I tell good stories.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">24. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A. I expect a great deal from other people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">25. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I will never be satisfied until I get all that I deserve.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">26. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. Compliments embarrass me.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">27. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I have a strong will to power.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">28. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I don't care about new fads and fashions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">29. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I like to look at myself in the mirror.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">30. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I really like to be the center of attention.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">31. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I can live my life in any way I want to.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">32. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. Being an authority doesn't mean that much to me.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">33. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A. I would prefer to be a leader.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">34. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I am going to be a great person.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">35. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. People sometimes believe what I tell them.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">36. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I am a born leader.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">37. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I wish somebody would someday write my biography.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">38. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I get upset when people don't notice how I look when I go out in public.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">39. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I am more capable than other people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">40. **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> A. I am much like everybody else.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">SCORING KEY: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The seven component traits by question: **

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This shows how much of the population today is narcisstic. The average score is a 15.3, which is a high score. I believe Ben Timpson was really trying to bring up this conflict in modern day society; a society with mirrors around every corner. Posted By: Libby Zanin

=Video: "Black Narcissus"= media type="youtube" key="A4MUdbdGyos?fs=1" height="385" width="640"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4MUdbdGyos

Because Narcissus maintains an attitude of arrogance towards others and ignores those that find him to be incredibly beautiful, such an attitude does not portray a mood of serenity and purity as I believe this piece does. However, crescendos (gradually rising loudness of the work) and diminuendos (gradually getting softer) create a similar tone as used by the narrator reading the story of Narcissus. The title "Black Narcissus" can also be related to how Narcissus blocks people out around his presence, making it seem as though no one is even there at all resulting in total blackness. His heart being dark and uncaring for his neighboring people. On the contrary, the love of his onlooker, Ananias, is symbolized by the flowing jazz melodies produced by the played piano and saxophone in the video above. For love is depicted as something that is of great passion, a trait needed to play an effective musical score (song), especially through. I also find it to be interesting how Ben Timpson is able to express such a story without words in his artwork, just as a song is able to do the same with music. Posted By: Joseph Riggs

_ Idea: The Narcissus flowers look like they are looking down, like Narcissus was looking down at his reflection in the water. This could be why the flower was named Narcissus flowers, because they are looking down at their reflection. Posted By: Louisa Hopkins