The following is an abbreviated excerpt from my thesis, SelfSame. In this introduction I explain a bit my fascination with doubled figures. "In the last few years I’ve been interested in images and stories of duplicated or multiplied bodies. My interest in doubles is primarily rooted in personal experience: that of growing up with an identical twin sister. Of course, twins and multiple siblings are not perfectly identical to the nail, the hair, the tooth. Despite our similari

Lately I've been thinking about Harpies and Seraphim. Feminine-gendered monsters are endlessly interesting to me, I like reconsidering and reimagining them as omens of good luck or as protectors. Harpies and Seraphim have been occupying my brain as of late. Image: A harpy in Ulisse Aldrovandi's Monstrorum Historia, Bologna, 1642 I love Harpies. Harpies are traditionally thought of as "hags" who screech and taunt their victims. Virgil described Harpies as "Bird-bodied, girl-fa