An alternate title could be, “Killer Cigarette Lighters Used in Artwork” or “Nothing is Disposable Really”
But I will stick with “Fired Up” because it is the title of the show.
I have been asked to participate in a group ceramic show in the north west of the state in early March next year, the title of this show is “Fired Up.” The Curator has asked us to produce, up to ten pieces of work that will demonstrate what gets us fired up, what we are passionate about.
I have known about this show for quite some time now but I have been deliberately only skirting the edges of the idea, as I had four exhibitions all falling in the latter part of 2012 as well as a wedding (15 days people) to occupy my thoughts.
The last time I dived headfirst into something I swam alone with my memories for weeks. I obsessed, I picked mental scabs, I cried a lot and you my dear internets were subjected to an awful lot of posts on the subject.
I think that is why I have been holding back from fully committing with my heart as well as my head to the Fired Up project, as I am a little bit frightened of where the obsessions will lead me this time.
Today I formally begin the process of really thinking about the work I will make for “Fired Up”and I have yet to tell my husband. “The Spouse” also suffers when I am in the throes of an obsession, as I am emotionally absent when I start to swim with the creative sharks and I am only half focused on the real world. It isn’t until the work is done that I start to come back to myself and realise how hard I have been to live with. My minimalistic approach to housework flies out the door and I make more mess than usual in the house. This time though I will try and be tidier and not leave piles of things everywhere.
These cigarette lighters came out of the stomachs of Laysan Albatross Chicks on Kure Atoll, Hawaii in June 2009. The Laysan Albatross Chicks died just before they were ready to make their first flight out to sea.
I am not sure what I am going to be making yet but these lighters will feature prominently.
Thoughts about disposable lifestyles, disposable people, how our laziness is killing us, all these things are in my head but nothing is concrete yet. I am still at the stage where I am tossing around ideas to do with ceramic lighters, dead albatross bowls, ceramic balls similar to the dragon eggs bound together with brightly coloured rope.
I dont know yet.
But.
Today I have started and I have some serious work ahead of me. I only wish I could afford a cleaner.
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Have you seen/heard this song? http://www.youtube.com/user/gotyemusic#p/u/4/oyVJsg0XIIk
It is one of Miss 5’s favourites. She’s a little obsessed with the film clip, but we talk about what the words of the song mean too. It’s just your words “disposable lifestyle” made me think of the lyrics “But it was like to stop consuming’s to stop being human” . (Full lyrics here – http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858850991/)
They are good lyrics. Sad but true.
I feel like every time I comment, it’s something related to rescue … but I have so often said that our disposable lifestyle is related to our attitude toward our pets (at least here in the US). The dog gets too old? Too big? Too loud? Sheds too much? Who cares. Dump it at the shelter and start all over again. I see it day in and day out, and it never ceases to boggle my mind.
And just think—if we treat pets who are supposedly “family” that way, imagine what we do to our wildlife. It isn’t pretty. Kudos to you for bringing attention to the laziness and attitude surrounding disposable things.
And amandab, that song is going on my list of new favorites, though it is sobering in its accuracy. Thanks for linking to it.
I hear you, loud and clear unfortunately.
Here in Australia, the RSPCA gets an influx of dogs about six or seven months after Christmas. that gorgeous Christmas puppy, has lost its cuteness. People fail to teach their puppies basic manners and whilst it it cute for a six week old puppy to try and jump up at your face, it isn’t so cute when it is a nearly full grown puppy with muddy winter paws.
The chicks don’t know not to fill themselves with rubbish, but what we fill ourselves and our lives with unthinkingly is what your art is all about… it fits the whole “pottery” dish/what we are literally consuming/ line of thought. It can be hard to look at. It looks like the birds were trying to digest the lighters; the gloss is sort of gone from them.
I do wonder how you will put it all together and pray for your husband’s sanity during the process, bless him! 🙂
The plastic lighters along with approximately 3.8 million other pieces of plastic wash out to sea every day. The adult albatross sees the plastic floating on the surface and thinks it is a fish and so eats it. Back at the nest the adults feed the chicks the plastic and the chicks eventually starve to death because there isnt any more room left in the bellies for real food. It is heartbreaking. And I am responsible for this, It is my plastic that is killing those chicks.
As for my husband. He just groaned when I said I had two big exhibitions coming up early next year.
Whatever you end up creating with those poisonous things, Kim, will have an amazingly powerful message.
I hope so Jayne, I hope so.
There’s not much in life these days that is truly disposable. Just look at how many landfill dumps get filled every year. Ifyou dug them up twenty-thirty-forty years from now, many of the so-called disposable items would still be there. Archaeologists of the future are going to wonder what kind of people we were to toss things so readily.
I used to be a cleaner…..
I wonder what sort of people we are River to toss things so readily.
The sort of people who toss people as readily as we do our pets, and give no consideration to the marvels living around us. I am certain that your show will be beautiful and an an eye opener. Keep us posted (sorry, I couldn’t resist that pun – feel free to groan).
Well, if that isn’t following the given theme…
Such a sad story. Poor birds. We humans destroy so much *sigh*
But I’m sure that what you will create, will be a beautiful and powerful message to all of us. Good luck!