Category: Design
Tidbits form the design world that bring me joy
Dancing in the Light
Every day that brings sunshine that warms the skin and clear pavement to walk is a gift.
Being able to stretch, feel muscles move under skin; a little more awake and alive with every step under the spring-blue sky.
Fitting then, that I came across video of this mesmerizing sculpture:
For all the dancers I know. Thank you.
Spring, becoming Summer
Stunning work by Jenine Shereos. I am struck by the sensitivity & delicacy of this work. To me it speaks to a deep understanding of the materials, and the ephemeral nature of beauty.
Of All Things. I am looking forward to the book she is publishing on this body of work!
All images below, © Jenine Shereos.
Image copyright Jenine Shereos
Thinking about Bodies & Control
I am looking toward the Opening of Chaotic Bodies this Thursday at Mile Zero Dance – and not surprisingly, I am thinking a great deal about relationship, space, and how our bodies convey information.
What we communicate with gesture and movement is so vital to our understanding – to meaning-making – but also to the way and amount of space we occupy.
All this to say: one of the things I wanted to consider in the creation of Chaotic Bodies was how bodies communicate ideas of control, balance, containment, connection, release … .
And then I came across the amazing work of artist/metalsmith Jennifer Crupi.
So much food for thought here: the controlled gesture. The canonization of particular movements that render them significant, understood as physical language that conveys information through relationship to other, to space.
aluminum, steel, acrylic, laser print, vellum,
8″ x 8″ x 6″
Power Gesture is an implement that requires the user to assume the authoritative “steepled fingers” gesture. This position exudes confidence and is often used by one who has the upper hand in a situation. Psychologists believe assuming a posture or gesture will make one feel as they would if they did the gesture naturally. So for a confidence boost, Power Gesture is the implement of choice. © Jennifer Crupi
I find the language here telling too. The Power Gesture object requires the user to assume a particular position, as do all of these sculptural objects: (con)forming to set positions to send a message.
Pondering further: if we wish to convey information bodily, how do we control or contain that which we wish to remain hidden? What if we can’t? What if our actions in space and in relationship express or reflect what we see around us, rather than what we feel? Or conversely: what if we cannot help but express the uncontrollable within us?
These thoughts & questions, amongst others, have informed the work in Chaotic Bodies. I have no fixed answers – but am enjoying the journey through the questions.
Old Boats Recycled Into Sheds
After working this summer in Parrsboro with Scott Smallwood on a project
that explores the interconnections between the tide, the land, and the human history of the area (which included shipbuilding), these beautiful structures speak volumes to me – about change, and resilience, and different ways of looking at the idea of abundance.
I am also a total sucker for the ways in which these boat-houses help to retain the many generations of work and relationship to the sea in these coastal places.
My thanks to eMorphes for bringing these structures to our collective attention!
Natura Insects – Insects made of Flowers
As summer slips into Autumn, I am reminded that beauty lies in the moment, and in those details that provoke a little wonder. My thanks to eMorphes for the shot of colour on a grey Monday.
how precious, this consumption
I Took My Father for a Drive Today
A lovely piece on history, time, change – and sense of place. What place means when it is rendered in the first person, and intimately connected to the sights and sounds in a landscape? We are each responsible for the reality we inhabit, in all ways.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
My father was born and raised in Montreal in the first half of the last century. He served in the RCAF (briefly) and the Royal Canadian Navy (less briefly) during World War II. In the ’60s he…
Searching for a little truth and sanity
If anyone is curious about the list of words I included or would like a PDF of this, feel free to contact me.
Creating a RUCKUS, update!
I wrote last month about a dance/choreography project I am involved in – RUCKUS – and wanted to offer an update on Anastasia’s progress for funding this phase of the work.
The GoFundMe campaign has raised$1200 so far – which is exciting – HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that has supported this so far!
That $1200 is about 70% of the goal for the project – so, it’s doing well – but it’s getting down to the wire to make the last 30%, so that everyone involved can be paid properly for their work to make this project a reality.
This is a really exciting chapter in my practice, I would really love to be able to continue to work with these fine dancers and choreographers.
If you would like to help support this work, there’s still time to contribute (even the price of a coffee out will make a difference) – our collective, RUCKUS-filled thanks.
IMAGE CREDIT: All Images, Ernest at Studio E Photography