Friday, June 15, 2012

Nature reclaiming its own

In an earlier post I indicated that my encyclopaedia stacks (Quiet Transition); and Ken Munsie and my collaborative piece made from the 200 Year Book (Flowing Words) were going to be part of the Tread Lightly exhibition.

On Tuesday I managed to drive to the gallery with Fiona to deliver her exhibition pieces. I was not up to it again on Wednesday so Fiona and Ken took the stacks and the flowing words down and installed them.

©2012 Fiona Dempster - Detail of Quiet Transition
Over the last couple of years the Quiet Transition stacks have aged nicely and there are some amazing colours, shapes and textures occurring. So Fiona and Ken decided to set the stacks up with the textured page views facing the viewer. - it has worked well.

©2012 Fiona Dempster - Quiet Transition - quiet decaying stacks
©2012 Fiona Dempster - Detail of Quiet Transition
In all the Flowing Words work is made from over 20 books. Ken and Fiona speed them around the outside of the exhibition space - some along the entry path and others in garden plots.

©2012 Fiona Dempster - Part of Flowing Words along the pathway
©2012 Fiona Dempster - Part of Flowing Words in the garden
My favourite though is the book that now has a little plant growing in it and the paper is beginning to breakdown - I think this will be the last outing for this work - it will now just have to rest at Ken or our place and gradually be reclaimed by the earth worms and plants.

©2012 Fiona Dempster - Nature reclaims its own
The Quiet Transition stacks will last a couple more years yet.

The exhibition opened last night (Thursday) but the journey and crowd would have been too much for me so Fiona was supported by her folks, our friend Liz, Ken and Noela and other Maleny artists.

14 comments:

  1. this is quite amazing B. at first i thought the first photo was an image of weathered wood of a stripped tree. which i guess i was half right since paper, wood, they are all the same. that was quite a sight to behold.

    isn't it great to be living amongst artist friends who would always be there when help is needed. do rest more my fren and don't exert yourself.

    i love that little plant growing out of the book ... an apt testimony to the life cycle of birth - decay - rebirth ...

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  2. #1 and #3 are really awesome!!!
    I loooooove them!!!

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  3. love the details of 'Quiet Transition'. Liquid books. Delicious.

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  4. Love the plant taking back the book! And hoping that very soon, nothing will be too much for you!

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  5. what a beautiful project - i love how the plant has begun to grow in one of the books as well... beautifully thought out... the colors and textures are something...

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  6. B, I love the last book with the plant growing in it! Both these series are so evocative of the "return to earth" that all things must undergo. You've managed to make decay beautiful! With a little help from the elements...

    Much love to you and wishes for a continued speedy recovery.

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  7. I absolutely LOVE what's going on in this concept. So many allusions.

    Be gentle on yourself while your body heals. I once had something similar happen. The bruised lung, the tubes... the emotion of it all. The Thoracic cavity is such an important part of the body. The body wants to heal it.

    Blessings to you

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  8. Intrigued by those decaying stacks. They have a wonderful grunginess and patina.

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  9. Will get up to see this fascinating show this coming week. Looks great. Stay well Barry

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  10. How beautifully these books are decaying. The textures and colours are amazing. Keep getting better every day, B, its so good to see your posts.

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  11. yes indeedy I can attest that books left out to decay will last years and years and years ---- I have some that have been out weathering for more than 4 years now.... tough little buggers - they will go on for ages (unless they meet with another biblioclastic fate in between times of course ;~)

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  12. Man I don't know how you think of this cool stuff. Kudo's to you both! I need to get out more! Feel better soon.... baby steps!!!!!

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  13. L, E, SB, VA, MJ, TT/G, MST, R, JM, C, LAM, R & SZQ - thanks for the feedback folks - and it is now official decay can be beautiful.On the heath front I had a great assessment with the cardiologist yesterday in Brisbane - assessment was that I'm getting better all the time; looks like no lasting damage; have to continue to take it gently; and have another assessment in early August when I hope to get the big tick of health. Thanks for the ongoing support - happy for the positive healing vibes to continue. LT - ver wood like and that is just the natural process. E - the photos were by Fiona - she captured some great detail. SB - love the term liquid - in the weather they do begging to flow. VA & MJ - the plant action is so enjoyable. MST - taking my time. R-grungy is good in some instances. JM - hope you enjoy the viewing. C-beautiful decay. LAM - the inks and paper create their own patina - nice. R - so right - the encyclopaedias bolted together are particularly tough. SZQ - I had to laugh about your get out more comment - thanks. All - go well and be well. B

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