"God's Mighty Deeds"
I couldn't resist jumping into Seth's Disintegration Collaboration. If you're a follower of his blog, The Altered Page, you know that he always has some fascinating project going on there and usually there's an interesting collaboration to be joined. This one is easy: Create a bundle; place it outside; take before and after photos. The "reveal" will be May 1st.
As often happens when I start a new project, I go in with a glimmer of an idea. Things usually go together very smoothly and, afterward, I'm surprised to find many details and messages that I didn't realize went into the project at the time of creation. I love that! This "well worn" tag was a conscious element. I'm interested to see what it looks like by May...or if it even stays attached.
I started the base of my bundle with some pages torn from a vintage Bible from the Psalms and the two books of the Kings. When I hung the bundle on a rusty rake head, outside, and started taking photos, I started to see the messages of the piece.
For the scrolls, I used five pages each (representative of the first five books of the Bible called the Torah or Pentateuch), from an antique hymnal. These scrolls were taken from different sections of the hymnal, pertaining to different times in the Christian calendar, beginning with Advent and continuing on through Easter. The scrolls are wrapped with steel wire. I'm anticipating the wire will rust and create...well, who knows what? Probably a mess!
Here, in Houston, the weather is very humid much of the year. We have an over-abundance of bugs and critters who will probably love to make a home of my bundle. It should be an interesting unveiling in May!
As I created this, I was listening to the news, a habit I may have to cut back on. I don't know about you but, to me, it seems like the crazies are running the asylum when it comes to our government these days. Things are getting scary. When I started photographing this piece, I was surprised at how important and pertinent the text is. I thought I was throwing some paper together but, it turns out there is an huge reminder here. God is still in control. He is The Mighty One and we would do well to meditate on His works and deeds. There is only One that we can truly rely on...
...for guidance and victory. In this world and in these uncertain times, that is comfort.
Thank you Seth for extending the invitation to collaborate!
I just adore all the angles you've taken to bundling your papers!! Can't wait to see more!!
Posted by: rachel whetzel | Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 08:17 PM
A sublime bundle indeed.
Posted by: Cynthia | Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 02:55 AM
What a cool bundle of things. Like you, I am often surprised to find a message emerge from my art that is so appropriate. Thanks for the reminder that God is in control. We must keep the faith. Hope you will show a few pics along the way of the disintegration process.
Posted by: Nelda Ream | Friday, February 13, 2009 at 07:16 AM
I have decided to participate, Deryn. It sounds like way too much fun to miss....So, I meditated on it all the way into town this morining. Pondering on what I could put outside in this wonderful Texas weather to disintigrate! And, how about last night? Hummmmmm....I am still pondering. Of course, I will let you (and Seth) know!
xoxo
p.s. love your story, and your pictures!
Posted by: Diane Cook | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Deryn
What an unusual and fascinating project. I'm not a mixed media person myself, so these kinds of ideas are so incredible to me...never would have thought to do this. Your project is special in many ways. Can't wait til May!
Posted by: Cindy | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 09:52 AM
You are sooo right about the insane are running the asylum!! I too worry about our great country and hate to see this happening to it...Socialism,Now that I'm scared of..
Hope your experiment works down in humidHouston..lol..
Posted by: Tina Wright | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Deryn, I love your sculpture and now I gotta try this! I just posted a comment on another blog about 'decay' and how I was seeing a design trend-- you could definitely call it disintegration-- in magazines and on Flickr sites and such. Actually, it's about entropy-- all things are born, live and then die. I've been an admirer of Andrew (?) Goldsworthy for years, a Scottish artist who makes sculptures of natural materials and then films their disintegration. I've never found the time to do one so this invitation is perfect and just-right-sized for a working artist. Thanks Seth and Deryn!
Posted by: Christine Damm | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 08:03 AM
That's awesome Deryn! I will be interested in seeing what happens in that Texas weather! Oh - are you allowed to interfere if the wind tries to kick it around??? This is a whole new take on distressing! Disintegration is right!!
Michelle
PS Do you have a hard time letting go of your old pieces you use in the projects??? Or is it just the hoarder in me? lol
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 07:55 AM
very cool bundle! i'll be interested to see the pictures in may. i'm going to go see his blog - i hadn't heard of him before.
kecia
Posted by: kecia | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 07:26 AM
It is as if that came from a higher being, the way that all played out! Amazing!
Posted by: jenn desjardins | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Thanks, Deryn, for the heads up on the challenge. It's going to storm here for a few days so that could be interesting.
It reminds me that I have a stoneware mask of a greenman I did last year, I set him out and he's starting to get a little mossy.
Hugs.
Posted by: Lisa gatz | Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 01:57 AM
I am so happy you dcided to participate Deryn. Your bundle is so special on so many levels. besides looking beautiful, there is so much significance to it. And at just the right time in the world. So curious to see what happens by May 1!
Posted by: Seth | Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 08:13 PM