LOVE NEST: An Artistic Evolution

From the time of early man, the primal comfort of a loving home, retreat, or sanctuary removed from the harsh realities of life, has been one of the most noble features of the human condition. Pre-hominid primates lived in loving families and built homes for their support and comfort; they emulated the birds they watched building nests to contain the most precious objects of their love. Attempting to avoid the pressing cares of survival, ancient man created a place of utter protection and safety -- the essence of the love nest. In the Renaissance, the essence of love turned from safety and security to beauty, romance, drama and the poetry of high art. A love nest became the symbol of something sensuous, pleasurable, romantic and secret. The places where lovers escaped their cares and could capture a caress or kiss, was the hallmark of the love nests of old.

Modern day flower children of the ‘60s brought a new freedom to the concept of love and security. Where once a love nest was the sole province of two lovers alone, it was now expanded to include two, three, or as many as would fit into a household or even a commune. Love was a universal concept, and love was to be shared freely with all beings, creatures, and things. In this naïve and carefree era, a love nest became a welcoming place for all those who opened themselves to the experience of caring for others.

Today we have come full circle. Our primordial responses, our deepest instincts, keep us rooted to the notion of having a safe, protective place to become vulnerable to the special torments of our lovers. Only in the deep comfort of our special love nests are our true selves revealed, and the objects of our love – and the manner in which we manifest it – are exposed within the twisting nettles, leaves, and branches that bind us together in a conceptual nest of reciprocal lust, need, admiration, compassion, understanding and unconditional, explosive love.

By Samir Chala