The last day of scheduled conversations was bitter sweet. Another amazing group of participants shared objects, stories and musings as the end of the project draws near I will miss my Tuesday and Thursdays in the gallery, but still have much work to do to complete my end of the bargain!
Rowan: brought a relatively new object with her, the fountain pen that she recently signed her marriage certificate with.
Rowan and her husband have used the pen to sign other important documents together, and she always carries it around with her. Parting with it temporarily, will be an interesting experience!
Sylvia: arrived next, with a tiny turtle, made out of a walnut shell. The turtle had belonged to her father, and Sylvia remembers playing with it as a child.
We had an interesting conversation about childhood memories, and "play." Another interesting details about this choice of object, Sylvia is quite allergic to walnuts, yet this turtle is a favourite item of hers none the less.
Frans: was up next. He brought a ceramic pendant that was given to him as a gift by someone very important to him. The pendant depicts a 'green-man,' a figure represented in various world mythologies. The pendant is filled with grapefruit oil, and filled the gallery with a pleasant citrusey scent.
We spoke about letting down inhibitions, in places of travel and play, and of the importance of objects, in instigating interactions with strangers, especially when traveling.
Gerry: was the very last scheduled participant. He brought in a very interesting object. A wood carving depicting a firing squad, that was given to him by a dear friend while he was living in Jamaica. The object is both peculiar and gruesome in it's depicted subject matter. However, it has reminded Gerry more of the person that gifted it to him, than the actual act that it depicts.
Gerry shared how his relationship to the sculpture has felt different recently. For some reason, looking at it with removal from the subject matter it depicts, is becoming more and more difficult. We discussed this phenomena, and the influence of the internet and readily accessible youtube videos on our view of world events.
Gerry left the wood sculpture with me, and it completed the display or 24 objects on the gallery shelves.
Gerry left the wood sculpture with me, and it completed the display or 24 objects on the gallery shelves.
As of this point, I have completed just over half of the object cozies. I will continue to work on the remainder in my studio, after the show has come down, with the help of notes I took from the original conversations!
Stay tuned for updates, as things get made!
Stay tuned for updates, as things get made!