Phase One - Sabi Koan, dream in copper
This piece begins as a simple copper poem about a dream I had. ("Dreaming of the Red Tide" was the original title for the poem.) In this dream I was standing next to an older version of myself in front of one of my pieces, pointing out what needed to be fixed. I was told, that my flaws were actually my greatest assets. It was a profound dream for me so I wrote it down, but tried to make it more universal and less personal. I love this idea of our own individual flaws holding the secrets to our greatest strengths.
This dream led me to the concept of Wabi Sabi. It's a Japanese philosophy and state of mind that flies in the face of our youth/materialistic new stuff-obsessed society. It is the art of celebrating the imperfect and unconventional. It often evokes a sense of serenity, melancholy and spiritual longing at the same time. It reveres authenticity above all, whether you use this way of seeing and appreciating aspects of the self or surroundings.
To further define this concept, Wabi means - accidental, humble, simplicity. Wabi is not slovenly however, it is well cared for, the purposefully simple and accidental contrasted by order or cleanliness. Sabi means - rust, or rustic beauty, beauty from the bloom of time. Sabi can not normally be acquired or bought, it is the gift of time. It is a celebration of the weathered, aging, antiquity and flaws. It sometimes embellishes the flaws making them the focal point, and makes them the most beautiful part.
My hope here is that the other artists interpret and draw from these concepts in whatever way makes sense to them. (Maybe forward this description with any text addition when piece is passed.) I'd love to get some photos if anyone takes any during the process or just when you finish your part on this piece, to eventually create a slide show once whole thing's finished.
Materials/Logistics: Engraved chased/repousse copper sheet, tree resin and fiber glass resin with various patinas, some new and some time worn. No paint was used, only chemical reactions. I filled the back with fiberglass only to give the copper sheet some stability. To attach it - hanging, drilling through it, setting/gluing into something larger, etc. would work better than heat/soldering which would ruin patina. I also put 2 small holes in top, or just fill them in. I covered front surface with a thin coat of tree resin since the patina was an important part of piece. I look forward to seeing where you all take this. I have passed it to Ruben.
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