It is a very old word—with several meanings.

In Biology, Imago is used to describe the very last stage of an insect's life cycle. It is the stage of maturity. The last phase of its ultimate development and its final metamorphosis: the imaginal phase.

In psychology, it is used to describe,

n. an unconscious mental image of another person, that influences the way in which an individual relates to others.

Have you ever thought about that?

We create mental images of people... and despite our best efforts, we might never be operating from a place of fully formed knowledge on a person, especially when we start casting judgment.

It is a term that can be used to make differentiation between what we might perceive verses the objective reality of an individual. It is extremely subjective—personal to each of us—and is very much filtered through our unique experiences and history, growing as a human being and as an individual.

If we are to make a distinction between actuality and the way we perceive it, an image or representation of a person is the best we can do.

Perception.

Perhaps our growth, our maturity, our metaphorical metamorphosis in which we emerge from our chrysalis, lightly brushing our wings, preparing to take flight, begins with the notion that we are all completely clueless, and that we know nothing, especially in so far as it pertains to someone else.

There is plenty of inner space to explore—a lifetimes worth, and perhaps through that exploration of oneself, we may better communicate with those around us.

UPCOMING SHOWS