Having thought I had fractured my foot with a fifty pound suitcase, I found myself with a leg stretched up in the air as I lay on a check-up table in the Tang Center. Very few medical check-up facilities are what I would describe as cheery, but as I tried to feel as natural as possible as the nurse made small talk while examining my foot, I let my eyes wander to the ceiling and almost giggled by the cute decoration dangling above my head. Here it is, discreetly shot with my cell phone:

Drifting in the ceiling vent’s current was a little blue-spotted cow, leaping over fluffy white clouds and a golden sliver of smiling moon. The cow jumping over the moon! I hadn’t seen a mobile like that since my infancy when my mom soothed me for naps by placing me on a washing machine beneath a little origami mobile that was supposed provide visual stimulation for me as I drifted off the meet the Sand Man. Aww….The good ol’ days. Whoever decided people outgrow daily nap time after kindergarten was cray, but I digress.

The mobile got me thinking about the creative ways that fairy tales have been imagined and re-imagined, particularly in a visual context. They’ve been around for generations and despite a few alterations or omissions from the general Mother Goose collection that wouldn’t jive with contemporary American culture in terms of child-rearing (no wonder your mom never recited Bluebeard as a bedtime story), we continue to refer back to them and celebrate some of their original themes in varied contexts.

Here are a few images that captured my fancy:

From Design Your Way:

Jacek Yerka

This one reminded me of a cross between a lofty castle-like Pimentel and Hogwarts.

From Gala Darling:

Eugenio Recuenco's vision of Cinderella for Vogue Espana

Eugenio Recuenco's vision of Puss In Boots for Vogue Espana

From Trend Hunter magazine:

Oh, how dreary it is to endure evil stepsisters, a night of dancing with Prince Charming and gloomy hospitals!

Rapunzel from California artist Emily Nathan

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Little Red Riding Hood from California artist Emily Nathan

Rapunzel combing hair, Emily Nathan

The instantly recognizable features of fairy tales give them instant appeal when visually presented. They unite us as a culture, communicate a whole set of values and morals with a single image and take us back to our roots. From capturing wisps of childhood and innocence to capitalizing on market value by inspiring kids to read with punchy presentation, fairy tales are good for more than just bedtime ritual.

Links: www.pitt.edu, www.designyourway.net, www.galadarling.com
Images: Jacek Yerka, Eugenio Recuenco, Emily Nathan