My most recent post concerned a purge, as I am consigning a number of objects to memory.
Objects over which I have lavished attention are getting the heave ho. We recently discussed the purgative benefits of doing this kind of thing, and I must say that it can take on a momentum as I have had to restrain myself from throwing out the entire body of work.
But this episode is not so much an exercise in destruction, as it is of transition; whatever experience gained will be used.
I had mentioned that it was time to read a novel and my wife handed me Speaker of the Dead by Orson Card. The theme of the story is largely that of redemption as the main character seeks to atone for past deeds. Thoughts of this were settling into my mind as I was tossing plaster. While contemplating my rubble field I could imagine a seedling reaching up from it. I was already embarked upon the next phase, which involves the substitution of an “ic” for an “er”: plastic rather than plaster, and had a few things lying about. I placed one on the heap.
It is hard to read the tableau as a message of hopeful rebirth, as the introduced object seems more like a virus emerging from a ruined cell. So much for sentimentality.
We talk about cross pollination a lot. Do you have any new examples of your own to share?
No cross pollination at this time, Jay, but I find this latest hybrid of yours compelling. I like the contrast of materials as well as the way the photo pushes the intertwined alphabet (?) into the viewer’s face. The diagonal red line of one of the pieces of wood makes the whole thing alive, even while being inorganic in style.
Nice. Now, can you figure out how to preserve this? Or are you working up to becoming a recorder of your ephemeral art?
June:
Pushing this aggregation into any face would likely produce lacerations as the corners and edges are fairly sharp.
The material is actually expanded pvc, a fairly rugged and stable material, easily cut and shaped and which takes paint well. We’re lucky to have a plastics fabricator downtown whose showroom has a section of cutoff bins. I’ve become a regular around the place.
Again, these chains seem to demand their freedom to drape. A brisk breeze arose soon after the shot was taken and knocked the thing down like a house of cards. A somewhat thicker sheet would allow careful pinning together of elements. But the thin placard effect allowed by the properties of this material seems far more appropriate to the subject than the previous chunky stuff, and certainly merits a resolution of the stability issue.
And thanks for your approving comments.
Jay,
You’ve captured the shattered look I was going for in a previous Anasazi post:
Not new, I’m afraid, but hopefully cross enough for you.
Steve:
You too can achieve that look with enough wayward plaster and a good overhand throw.
Random note: your Anasazi photo reminds me of something I read. A fellow reportedly samples the acoustics at locations where pictographs and cave paintings are found and finds a high correlation between the art and the aural environment. Echoes, it appears, were deemed by our forebearers as spirit voices. This fellow also claims evidence, based upon wear and tear, that the cave people played ribbon stalactites like chimes. I bring this up to ask if you find anything peculiar, outside of the issue of shelter, in these locations that you photograph.
Jay,
A charming theory, but I’m skeptical. Function and convenience were hard enough to come by. After that, I suspect sociological or historical considerations were more important, i.e. locating art where others would be more likely to see it or where some event occurred.
Perhaps you should try a wind chime concept with your Q&A project. A Q might knock into an A and induce a harmonious or a dissonant response. If the wind blows another way, a Q might invoke another Q.
Rebuilding literacy after chaos created by bombing.
Steve:
Good suggestion. Metal is in order as it would have to be the characters themselves ringing against each other, and not some character/chime combo.
Birgit:
A Jay bomb. Jostling “Qs” and “As” are at least a start.