I started out thinking my images represented something only personal, specific to myself and my own life; and, therefore, probably not relevant to others. However, as I began to show the work, I found the panels were deeply affecting to others, and individual pieces often generated strong responses as viewers grappled to understand the “story” or message of the image. I believe this is because the meaning of the images is gleaned by a process of self and social examination which discerns their meaning for our lives and communities. For this reason I now name pieces in a group setting bringing together as 2 to 10 others to help me figure out what the message is behind each piece. This “naming Process” is very taxing part since it demands a connection between the intuitive and the rational parts of the mind.
During a naming session, the group dialogues about a piece until it slowly refines the message and a name is offered which we can all agree upon. When the right name is found, there is often a feeling of instant connection between participants. When a name is given to a piece out of such a group consensus, art creates community not mere opinion. This is the true basis of culture. I have observed that people are often drawn to a particular piece which has something to tell them and that when they explore their reactions to the piece it opens the piece up to understanding by others as well. Currently, I am experimenting with naming pieces on line. Below is the current piece I am soliciting names for. If you are interested and want to send in a name please comment below. Feel free to submit multiple entries if you wish. If you submit a name I will keep in touch with you and let you know what the final name is I select for the piece as well as others which were suggested.
We like “Summer Solstice”. Love the Spider like web that also looks a bit like guitar strings, and the bubbles that look celestial like the planets moving in orbit. Always love the little “hidden” characters in your sculpture that don’t immediately attract your attention, but surprise you as you look closer. 😊
Kay Stewart has sent the following comments on this piece:
Your art piece is a happy antidote to the sense of foreboding that is hovering over me right now.
The big bug, the peeping happy face, the noble winged beast. I see the signature of time in the arc of globes like the movement of the moon — crossing the radiating grid, the geometric pattern, which makes me think of science. It is science that enables us to understand the movement of the planets and moons and our place within it …
So that’s what I see, and I like it all.
But I can’t put words to the lighthearted feeling I get looking at your delightful bas relief.
Looking at the piece I get “emergence.
The insect I see as a cicada not a bee.
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rediscovering wonder
there is a promise of reintegrating with our planet/universe in more promising way. let us not be afraid to look at things anew and have hope for a new and happier future!
Circadian Joy
Humans hide, creatures run free
Covid has been miserable in many ways for humans but not so for the many animals getting a break from our sselfish presence.
My initial response is “Dreams,” although you likely already have a piece with that title. I see a BIG bug, a dragon flying close to the sun, the ocean, and a friendly abominable snow monster peaking out from behind an iceberg. Water in any form says “dream” to me, and the disparate elements strike me as things that make sense in a dream.
Although, who am I kidding? Because you’re a conduit for the collective unconscious, all your images are dreamlike. Let me look again…
Okay, I got it: “Contrails.” If this were mine, that would be my title. It speaks to the diaphanous remnants of a dream, and that’s what I see behind the bug. There’s a fun, positive connotation here, for sure.
I hope you and Ann are well!
COVID VACCINE COMING. The little human is hiding hopefully, until the vaccine arrives, maybe within a month. The moons represent the passage of time. The coronavirus is the claws of the three-legged monster. The bee delivers the jab of the injection.
I see you. Can you see me? (Do you even want to see/know me?)
This is in regards to the fallout from the contentious issues dividing our nation: racial, political, economic, environmental, generational, religious, gender, and on and on…
Or maybe in regards to pervasive electronic surveillance…
2nd Round of Comments:
Michelle Gradis:
Loved reading all the feedback and your thoughts. Of the new titles, I like just “Contrails of Emergence” (without the suggested gerunds that preceded it). Congratulations on another beautiful piece.
Meaghan O’Shannessy
If it were me, it would still be Contrails. I actually feel like some of the other ideas are trying too hard.
Sonja Jones
I like Discovering a New Emergence.
Mindy Donner
I like Contrails of Emergence just fine.
Also like my offering Circadian Joy or
Ritmos en Circadia ( or Rituales de Circadia.)
Delana Thompson
I didn’t comment on the website, but as I work with Brad on his emails and other things he invited me to chime in with you all.
I agree with Mindy that the word “Circadian” – with it’s double entendre, inclusive of both bug and solar cycles – needs incorporation into the naming. I also agree with Michelle about the excess gerunds…
Circadian Contrails of Emergence
Final Naming:
After taking all comments into consideration again, I am going to go with Contrails of Emergence as the name for this piece since it seems to resonate with the widest agreement. Thanks for all your participation.