Friday, May 27, 2011

Celebrating the moon

Though today had more work-work in it than Fiona and I would have liked, we did manage to do a little art as well - Fiona continuing preparations for the workshop on Sunday; and I decided to make one last personal shrine to go into the mini exhibition we are having at the Up Front Club (opening on 16 June).

The piece below is simply called Shrine to the Moon. I had thought of calling it A Shrine for the Moon Goddess but that seemed a bit OTT.

Barry Smith © Detail - Shrine to the Moon
Barry Smith © Shrine to the Moon
 This shrine has a lot of history associated with it. It started life as a small silver plated drinks carrier, a couple of roughly rectangular and very ornate drinks trays, a couple of old and badly stained brass washers, copper rivets from Japan and a brass dome 'nut' from the old city centre in Hanoi.
Barry Smith © Testing leaves and bowl on STTM
I still need to finish the shrine; and put a solid ply backing on it. I am also trying to make up my mind what metal I will use for the offering-incense bowl and maybe accompanying leaf. Fiona thinks maybe brushed aluminium; but brass could pick up the central brass nut and washers and copper could tone in with the copper rivets. What do you think?

And by the way if you haven't visited the Giveaway for Autumn - possibility of 'winning' a little litter of leaves.

16 comments:

  1. Wow! I often see those beautiful etched trays at the thrift store and I've purchased many for just a few dollars. What a beautiful piece. Problem is I always want to weld everything and I'm sure I can't do that with those old trays. I love all the textures in this piece.

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  2. My thought would be for the brass bowl reflecting the other brass elements in the piece . . also has my favorite shape . . a circle!!

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  3. Great work Barry... I go for the brass bowl. Not sure about the leaf, I rather think a contrast would be good, but what would I know?

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  4. I just love everything you do and this is no exception..whatever way it goes it will surely be perfection!

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  5. I'm with those who suggest brass. This is a gorgeous piece, Barry, a fitting shrine to La Luna!

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  6. SZQ - your hand held cutter always produces good outcomes as does your welding - but rivets can give a nice highlight - give them a go.
    JG, JM and TT - at this point in time brass is ahead - Fiona feels a little miffed.
    P-thanks.
    L- thanks for support but a long way from perfection - but hope it gives people a lift - I think this one should go well in the mini exhibition.
    Go well all. B

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  7. Copper would be warm but then some brushed aluminium would be really beautiful ... anything you make will be just right I suspect. The shrine itself is really lovely, and I'm reminded of those plated trays I have stashed away, still to decide their fate.

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  8. it is beautiful Barry, with a mystical feeling to it.

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  9. ooh.... ahhh.... etc etc so beautiful....

    i'm with f.... brushed aluminium.... in line with moon & moon reflection... imho... for me the bronze/copper is too contrasty. But that is just my vision, the subtlety appeals... can see why many like the contrast though.... would it be possible to work just a touch of copper and/or brass into ally bowl/leaf... ? just a thought... whatever you choose will be gorgeous!

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  10. lol... just read your comments on the comments... if its going to a vote i'd have argued the case harder & encouraged fiona to hide the brass n copper...


    A falling leaf touches the moon's reflection... and my own
    ~horiuchi

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  11. SS- Glad you liked the shrine - thought you might - now you have given me a challenge - how to bring aluminium, copper and brass elements into one offering bowl and have it look OK. Good concept though - three metals in one bowl - especially as it is an offering-incense bowl. Go well. B

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  12. These are beautiful Barry and I love the reference to watches, the telling of time, the passage of time, Thanks.

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  13. Flitted over from Suzi's to say that I really, really love this shrine!

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  14. LD & R - thanks for visiting and commenting. The circle can have many interpretations - only recently did I see it that 5 points that form a star. R - glad you share the moon with SS - she takes such great photos of the moon through trees and has such affinity with the moon. B

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  15. oh, yes, i do remember this. lovely as can be!

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.