John Mason's X pots

Oops... this post was intended for a different blog (thesis in progress), but I suppose as part of Practical Pursuit it does represent 2 activities that are fairly habitual to me: Looking at a lot of art and capturing images and thoughts about those that grab me, for whatever reason. The whole blogging thing is fairly new, so I suppose it's inevitable that I mix up postings once in a while, especially since I have about half a dozen blogs I keep or contribute to!

These two images of John Mason's 'X Pots' (circa 1957) prompted me to see some of the forms I've been using as propellers, rather than stylized flower forms.

Mason uses the X as a visual element in many of his works. As I revisited some of his images, I began to see how he incorporates it, sometimes directly, sometimes more subtley.  A few examples:

Red X, 1996 1.5 metres tall

  2008

1958

(not sure of year, but late 20th, early 21st cent.)

Trans Orb Blue Green with Tracers, 2006 

The Trans Orb seems to take on the feel of a pinwheel, as much as an X or propeller.  Interesting, as I've been looking at the little pinwheels in my studio recently, thinking how similar their form is to some of the props. Curious how context (as well as formal elements of color, surface texture, scale, etc.) can affect perception of form. Curious too the fine lines between object as a threat (prop to manati) and object as means of  opportunity/advancement (props on Titanic) and object as toy (pinwheel). How much is the essence of the object and how much do we bring to it?

Note to self: revisit Bucky Fuller's ideas on divisions of universe (line, intersection, vortices, etc.). there may be some parallel here as forms go from X to prop to pinwheel.....

Just GNR8!

OK, in for a penny, in for a pound.
This is what I get for putting it out to the universe that I want to develop my practice as a maker.

I've been invited to join a small group of artists and designers in a generative workshop designed to create 50 objects in 20 (working) days.  Brainchild of newly minted Industrial Design MFA Jesse Lee Au, Just GNR8 is sponsored by the RIT Center for Student Innovation. (Can I get extra credit for getting 3 separate links in 1 sentence? I would have linked to the ID MFA page, but that'd just be overkill, don't you think?)

ACTION: say YES to opportunities to step outside the comfort zone.
MATERIAL: one goal of Just GNR8 is to stretch the limits of material; I think it may also stretch the limits of this artist!
WORD: looking forward to working with and near other enthusiastic artists and designers - new skills, new tools, new ideas, new inspirations!!!

I'll keep you posted on my experience.

Pausing for Beauty

      Yesterday I was driving home from a friend's house and decided to explore down what looked to be a small country road. It turned out to be about a 2 mile stretch of lightly forested, luxuriously spaced, residential area. The first image that really grabbed me was  a curious piece of crooked rail fence. I slowly continued down the lane, inhaling an intoxicating scent of grass, trees, and (I could swear) sunlight.  It did not take long before I reached the end of the lane and slowly turned my car around to head back out of this impromptu arboreal labyrinth. Midway through my K-turn, I  froze, not believing what I saw. A red bellied woodpecker landed on a branch directly in front of the car. Suddenly I remembered that I had my camera with me. I sat for a moment, weighing the option of snapping a shot through the windsheild or trying to step out without scaring off my subject. Sadly, merely opening the car door was enough to send Woody flying, but at least I did get a fairly good look at him.

It took me about an hour to make my way up the road, because I kept stopping to take shots of the bits of beauty that scattered the side of the road.

   Tiny blue and yellow flowers gathered in every opening between the trees.

At least one tree reminded me of one of my favorite landscape paintings, Gustav Klimt's The Park. This tree brings to mind the two trees/figures in the painting's foreground.

         
Even spider webs stretched between branches were enchanting.

What a wonderful stolen hour for a wandering, a wondering, a brief pause from any other demands of the day. I think I will remember to keep my camera closer more often.

         

What impromptu inspirations grab you during the day? Do you have any habits or practices to help you to take notice more readily?