A Totemic Tale: Like Kayaking Into a Room Full of People

A Totemic Tale is a fine art photography book featuring literal optical illusion totemic imagery. A story is woven about two men whose lives are thousands of years apart, and poetry that helps make the spiritual connection between them possible. As each character forms his personal relationship with the imagery in his realm, the proposition is that this vision influenced the design and carving of the first totem poles.

Rock reflections in calm water create visuals that when rotated form a literal optical illusion with strong symmetrical qualities of facial and body shapes, emblems, symbols, clan and ancestral semblances, animals, birds, fish, guardian spirits and mythical creatures.

I wonder whether the same vision inspired the original thought for the carving of the first totem pole thousands of years ago.

Could it be that the early man identified the literal optical illusion then, thus making his experience and vision seem larger than life and bestowing upon him spiritual powers-and by employing the available technology of stone, bone and iron tools, elevate his stature amongst his peers? Could the carving of a totem pole, which would be in public view, unite people to connect past, present and future generations of their realm into a cohesive society?