I had just started my teaching career. It was 1991 more or less and I decided to participate in the annual exhibition arranged by the local arts association. For some strange reason I decided to do something different; I wanted to add sculptural elements to my work. (I am not really into three-dimensional art, and why I had chosen this idea, I would not know.) I played with “flight” as a concept. The earth is in motion and all of us – animals and elements included – are flying together. When I look these photographs of this clumsy work, I want to run away from anything that resembles this level of commitment. I had so many a small thing which I had to merge into “something”.
I made the clay birds and had them fired with a friend; I clad wire mesh with papier-mâché to create the clouds and the rocks; I used a painting that did not work as the background; I made papier-mâché birds and stuck feathers into them; I had the kite shape cut from hardboard and I had it framed; I decoupaged wrapping paper images onto the kite; I made smaller kites with papier-mâché tricks and stuck eyes onto the bird images; I drilled holes into the board to secure the sculptural elements with leather ropes; I used sticks and fishing line and beads … I think I was trying a little too hard to do something different. My ideas were in flight and I had trouble keeping my feet on the ground.
I was young and enthusiastic. However, when I was doing it, I had to rely on the help of a few friends – and I think I drove a few of them crazy. When our ideas become a little bigger than our own pair of hands, we borrow those of our friends. I did not anticipate involving others, but to “keep my kite in the air” it was the inevitable next step.
The reason why I decided to include this “strange” multimedia piece of mine here is because I am excited. I enjoyed a lovely supper with friends of mine and we started to share a few ideas and eventually our ideas had become slightly or significantly larger than a single pair of hands. We would need each other to get our “concept” airborne.
Not every idea we entertain has to become a reality of course, but imagine the joy we can “enjoy” when the tail of our kite makes pattern in the air. How about that song from Mary Poppins? Do you remember it? Let’s go fly a kite. If you feel like listening to this classic, click on the link below.
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