GreenMt wrote:I would love to hear others' descriptions of this image, and why they love it--it's always been a mysterious image to me--
Difficult to explain my love for this one. I'd been thinking about this one for a while before I actually got it, too. I didn't buy it at first cos I wasn't so into the text but I guess it grew on me.
The image is stunning! Cold and ghostlike, but not scary or creepy. I mean, I doubt it's a ghost... how many ghosts do you see carrying candles? So, it's probably a live woman. But then there are no legs. They may exist, but they're not visible in the frame. Could be a Japanese ghost. They don't have any legs... and I don't see any footprints.
Malleus' women tend to be seductive but not in the typical sexy, tits and ass in you face, traditional rock 'n' roll poster way. Theirs are USUALLY seductive in a classy way. In any case, the women are usually quite clear, in shape and features. This one is left to the imagination. Though once her face becomes visible, I'm sure she'll be gorgeous. Think MEI 06.
Then there's the hair. Signature Malleus!
One thing that I think separates this from most other Malleuses (Mallei?) is the use of perspective, not just a simple background image or blank sheet (though their use of negative space in other posters is pretty cool too). Off the top of my head the only other one that uses perspective like this is the Julie's Haircut poster. Definitely adds some depth to this scene, like she's just walked down the street and is coming face to face with you.
The colors: light blue, silver and white on black... can't go wrong. Looks like the blue and silver is a split fountain which works to separate the woman from the cars and road well. Very smooth. Actually, I didn't notice it was a split til I'd had it for a while. Look in the right light and the blue/silver really shines nicely. And the red candle focuses your eye right to the centre where it should be. Maybe it doesn't "pop" as much as some others but it's definitely not flat. Not to me anyway.
The road, cars and traffic light are all kinda sketchy, but not like in a rushed, kindergarden drawing. Just loose but fitting.
Anyway, that's my impression. I'd like to hear others' too.