Illustration by Ana Afonso, from comic Discourse on Voluntary Servitude, by Álvaro Áspera & Filipe Alves, published in Aula Magna #0 magazine (Nov 2008).
Credits
Artist: Ana Afonso
Concept: Álvaro Áspera
Client: Aula Magna
Medium: Mixed
Script
This dream is an allegory. Animal heads symbolize the animal aspect present in human nature. That's why the important thing is to show human attitudes through animal figuration. The tracking shot along a Lisbon street leads to a flame burning above the ground. The flame symbolizes the most mysterious element in human nature, referred to as divine spark by spiritual traditions. No one sees it. This oneiric image has to be in grayscale. The flame alone bears color.
Álvaro Áspera, in Discourse on Voluntary Servitude comic script
Characters
The wolf symbolizes the leaders of society. Similarly to puppets on a string [from the Coldplay song on the script], here we meet a flock of tourists (some from exotic distances, others rather of the domestic type) which are guided by someone who thinks only of taking advantage of them. Once in possesion of the money these "poor" people paid for a guided tour for the masses, we do not know what else this leader is capable of, being a "shepherd" that couldn't care less for his herd's well-being. If he were merely a wolf, his presence would be noble and dignified like the other animals'. But the single fact that he's wearing a disguise makes us alert.
Ana Afonso, in email sent Sat Oct 11 2008 16:12
Graffiti
The graffiti on the monument is a reproduction of the one found in Geneva, at Rue du Prieuré (Pâquis district), in the context of the squatter movement and habitation crisis. It is an evocation of Discourse on Voluntary Servitude, by Étienne de La Boétie, the book used as reference in the comic.
Ana Afonso, in a Pandora Box meeting
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