The informal trail to my plein air studio was marked by something different today. Old tires that were cut apart to extract their metal wheels were hung upon a few select willows like perverse life preservers. I saw few people out today and in fact a light drizzling rain probably contributed to that. Approaching my “studio” I could see that it had been visited again. The “Choir” group of sculptures that had been thrashed a few weeks ago were once again the targets of abuse. All the figures that had once been standing were all broken and horizontal.
By now, I am somewhat accustomed to the destruction that happens to the works I regularly leave out here. This time, however, there was something oddly different. Why would anyone take the wooden plank that I like to sit on while I make these sculptures? I checked all around the area and could not find it and so I assumed it was carried off. My searching did uncover this scene involving a small found object sculpture that someone had previously made and left as a gift. Here’s how it appeared this time.
Perhaps the same people who made a mess of my outdoor studio set this up. A small doll that I had found months previously was decapitated and its head placed on this improvised “pike”. I took a few photos and left it be. Returning to my polystyrene cache, I decided to recycle some of the larger pieces that were now lying haphazardly on the ground and here are a few in process shots of the new sculpture I came to call “Big Red”.
Because this work was reminding me of something I had made before, I decided it needed something different to distinguish it. While looking for my favorite plank, I also came across the unravelling rope snagged on a willow branch with its small figure I had posted a few weeks a go. The rope was now lying in the sand…it had been pulled down from the tree.
I removed the little figure hiding among the fibers and put him in my collecting bag. I will reassemble him once I get home and perhaps make a gift of him to somebody. The shredded barge cable I also took along, but I had a different purpose for this…it would become a wig for Big Red.
I arranged the dishevelled rope upon the figure’s head and decided it needed a bit of styling. Luckily, while walking the river I found the tools I needed. First I found a brush…and I have found many of these over time.
And then, I located a blow dryer!
In no time I was able to coif my figure. Here she is as a train passes over the railroad bridge.
I left the figure where I made her and frankly I don’t expect to see her intact again. It wouldn’t surprise me if she didn’t last the day, but at least I have these pictures to record her existence by the riverbank. Here is my parting image of her as she waves to the river that partially gave her “life”.
One final snapshot…I got a kick finding that little hair dryer and I do mean little! To help judge its scale I placed a five cent piece from my pocket next to this artifact and recorded this image.
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 
Hey Al,
I love that tiny hairdryer 🙂 And thanks for the pic with the coin, that makes its scale visible.
I will never understand why someone would have the idea of smashing your creations. It would never ever come to my mind to do something like that. And although it is sad in a way on the other hand it opens your door to create something new and go on expressing your creativity.
I’m looking forward for spring to arrive in your posts at the Falls of the Ohio.
d.
Thanks for your support! The twin urges to create and destroy may be two sides of the same coin? As human beings we embody both principles through our contradictory natures. So much traditional art making is in fact destructive to the environment. For example, most people (including artists) never consider where paint comes from. I try to just deal with what’s already here without doing further harm. I’m looking forward to spring too with its bird migrations and wildflowers which in the big scheme of things is more important than any art I can make.
Al, yes very likely that creating and destroying are two sides of the same coin. I’m one of the artists who care about where the material comes from and I, for an example, only use synthetical brushes instead of marten-hair-brushes for my art, which are widely used over here. And I’m very sure there are uncounted artists who would never give it a second thought where this marten-hair really comes from.
It’s a good thing that you deal with what’s already there without doing further harm, good for nature, wildlife and your own soul I think. To care and avoiding to do any harm tells of a noble heart.
Spring, bird migrations and wildflowers will give us a boost of creativity and energy for sure.
d.
I like “Big Red”. She looks so lonely standing there and waving good-bye. Good job on the “do”, Al. Really puzzles me about your board. Do you suppose they knew that is what you used to sit on while you sculpt? As old as I am, I have never understood people destroying others’ creations or finding pleasure in such. I also find the beheaded doll on a pike disturbing.
Good post how you discuss these things and allow the reader to to come to their own thoughts on issues of disrespect.
Hi Al. I hope whoever is destroying your art creations is “only” attacking your art and none of the local wildlife. And I hope you don’t encounter whoever is engaging in such behavior.
I find Big Red a tad intimidation. LOL. Something about that harido reminds me of Medusa.
Cheers.
Me too…I think the wildlife knows to get out of the way. I suspect that roving bands of teenage boys are responsible for most of the damage that happens out here. I can see how “Big Red” could be a bit intimidating. She’s over six feet tall and not much of a beauty. Ah Medusa, now there’s a sad tale. I thought I knew her story until a friend told me how she became Medusa in the first place.
Brush and hairdryer for Red Hair? The universe provides what is needed at the moment! I like the twist and curls in this one! 🙂
Indeed…it happens over and over again!