in the Lewis and Clark Caverns. There were about 600 steps to walk through–eep!, and a slide, and some zigzaggy sections, and some sections where you couldn’t stand up, which was more annoying for Paul, I think. It was pretty neat although there’s been a lot of damage to the cave over the years and I’m not sure it was as splendor-filled as the ones in Texas. But hey, 550 feet underground! The cave really was that pink in that room. I tried to take more pictures, but as you can imagine, there’s not a lot of light in a cave. Also, I was more focused on not falling down the steps (therby creating a 25 person domino topple) than taking photos.

The weekend before that we went to Livingston, about 1/2 an hour away from here, for an art opening– Paul is showing his puzzle paintings (above–yes, the user is invited to spin the pieces). Local people who I like to fantasize might be reading my blog (and secretly want to befriend me?), it is at the Danforth Gallery until the 24th if you are interested. It’s okay, I know the chances are slim that you exist.

I wore my sparkly shoes that I made for Adorn, since Livingston is supposed to be where the movie stars shop. I didn’t see any of them there, though. Lots of people came to the opening, so that was good. I bought another ceramic cup from Paul’s friend. I have a small collection now. I don’t get to have it till after the show is over, though, so you don’t get to see it.

I’m entering crunch time with work stuff right now so… yes, the posts will continue to be few and far between. How do I always mange to have all the important deadlines happening in the summer? Oh well.

The pile of ears has a few influences. One is the pile of shoes from Holocaust victims- he was raised with Holocaust survivors who taught him to pay attention to what was going on and change what he could. The ears vary in size from an inch to over a foot and are made of clay that’s rendered to look like stone. Their stony appearance is meant to represent deaf ears. In his studio among the many post it notes, he has listed  the old proverb “We were given only one mouth to speak, but two ears to listen.” His work is political (this collage speaks to his thoughts on the current administration) but in a sweeping way–even without the current administration, he’ll be pissed off about something.  He noted that he thinks all art is a political statement: artists are exercising their creative minds instead of the also human take-over-the-world urges.

All in all, he’s a really interesting guy and I love that he speaks his mind. That was what was so great about seeing him in the documentary. Parts of it were very hippie-esque but I remember him saying in the doc that he was angry and pissed off about the state of things– and he told me today that they fought hard to keep that in the film. 

 I’ll end with a quote from Notkin, posted in his studio: “I continue to make ceramic sculptures which reflect on the social and political dilemmas of our world. As André Malraux observed, “Art is a revolt against man’s fate”. Need I say more?”

I used some hand dyed wool, flannel, suiting and cotton. This was my first attemp with the triangles, and I think they came out pretty well. Although I must say that I cannot WAIT till I get to use my walking foot! Here’s a closeup.

Peep peep!