One year ago I was pondering entropy and the preservative effects of stone sculpture. Today I sit in northern Vermont, thinking again of impermanence. It is 20 below outside, the small open reach of the river is steaming, and I am delaying going outside to do my work. I have come to the Vermont Studio Center (not part of our Carving Studio exchange later this year) to do a one-month sculpture residency. I do not know why I selected to work in ice, but once chosen, I knew I had to be here in January.
Part of my attraction to ice is its impermanence. Even if a new ice age kept northern Vermont cold forever, the ice would sublimate; evaporating directly to water vapor until only impurities remained.
So why am I attracted to this impermanent media? Maybe it is the lack of shipping costs? Not needing to worry about whether the pin will hold? Or perhaps I want the freedom to experiment without regard to outcome, play with new designs without the pressure of perfection. I certainly still feel the pressure to produce, to create piles of amazing ice. Fortunately, in these temperatures nobody follows through on their intentions to visit my work area, so I don’t need to worry about anyone judging my work poorly. Which perhaps brings me to the deeper reason for why I chose ice – to challenge myself to work outside my comfort zone in a new medium, in a new location, and in a difficult environment; and to do all of this while dealing with my fear of being judged harshly. I don’t know for sure, but hopefully it will be clear by the end of this month.
Carve well, have fun, and be safe,
I had previously rambled about entropy, and had solicited suggestions for an entropy bumper sticker contest. I got a handful of clever bumper phrases, but have let them clutter my in-box until today.
In the meantime, I have realized that my fight against entropy through stone is a zero sum game, at best. Out of 100 pounds of stone I get a nice 60-pound sculpture that is clearly beating the second law of thermodynamics. But I also get chips and dust totaling 80 pounds when mixed with water, and the diameter of my saw blade seems smaller. I guess I am hoping that when future beings are excavating the sediment layer they will ignore the chips and stand in awe at what we could do with a little elbow grease and such simple tools. Or maybe they will be more fascinated with the tools.
Here are the entropy bumper sticker phrases I collected.
Entropy: My Basic Organizing Principle
So Much Entropy, So Little Time
Entropy: Not For Sissies
Entropy Is My Best Thing
Resist The Entropy Within
Beat Entropy With Fiddlesticks
Entropy – Schmentropy
Entropy: It grows on you
Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator and eye protection,
The glow from Camp Brotherhood is still with me two months after the event. I just finished a piece I started at Camp B. and am nearly finished with another made of Randy’s wonderful henna limestone. It is difficult to finish, but once polished the surface absolutely glows. The significant pile of other stones I brought home from Camp B. is patiently awaiting my grinder.
Since I blew my art budget for the year on this pile of patient stones, I could not attend the Silver Falls Symposium. However, all reports indicate it was a good event with higher than typical attendance. In this tough economic environment we have been fortunate to see our largest group ever at Camp B (120 people) and a very strong showing at our two other symposia. I guess I am not the only one who likes to cuddle up with stone in stressful times.
The next official opportunity to get together will be at the NWSSA holiday party. You will get to see carving buddies and hear about our plans for 2004. We will also have our Board of Directors annual election. Let a board member know if you are interested in participating at some level in 2004.
Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator,
I returned last night from our annual Camp Brotherhood symposium. You will read more about the event in next issue of this journal, but it was every bit as good as I have come to expect. Each year is “best” in its own unique way, but this year certainly topped my personal list for the instruction, the number of attendees, the auction fundraising, and success of Saturday’s ArtWalk. One first-time attendee told me this was by far the most professionally run symposium he had seen.
Other first time attendees were “blown away” by the energy and supportiveness of the event and people. For those of us repeat offenders, it would be easy to take this for granted, except for the fact that today I am on an incredible sculpture high, and am upset that the real world is trying to intrude upon my time.
The board approved an exchange with the Carving Studio in West Rutland, Vermont next year, whereby we will send a NWSSA member to Vermont and they will send a Vermont carver to Camp B. Please call or write me if you are interested in being considered for this exchange. The requirements are 2 years attendance at Camp Brotherhood and a willingness to tell our story to carvers in Vermont. The membership also approved our participation in the Lake Oswego Arts Festival in 2004. We are collectively excited about both opportunities to meet new people and expand our infectious enthusiasm for stone sculpture.
Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator and protect your eyes.
