It started with one. I had been picking them up for years…odd, yellow ocher orbs that the river marooned in various sections of the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Initially, I was intrigued by them because I knew they had to be something, but what? Early on I formed this association in my mind that these balls were giant pearls and they were gifts to me from the beautiful river. Made from a lightweight yet solid, hard foam, these balls weathered in very individualistic ways. Many of them had acquired a nice patina from their river journey perhaps floating long distances for many years. For a while, each time I would go on one of my excursions to the Falls of the Ohio, the river made sure that I would stumble upon one or more of these balls. Into the collecting bag they would go. Eventually, I found out what kind of balls they are and in case you haven’t guessed yet…here are a couple more images that will reveal what they originally looked like. I’ll start with one of these balls in the process of transforming, followed by one that is more intact.
My river pearls are the cores of contemporary softballs. How did all these softballs end up in the river? When I was a kid, a softball had a hard rubber ball in the interior which was surrounded by what seemed like miles of string wrapped tightly around the rubber ball. A two piece leather cover was then sewn over this “string ball” which completed the softball and was now ready to be played with. For those who might be unfamiliar with softball…it’s a game similar to baseball, but the ball is about twice as large as a standard baseball. I collected these softball cores for years, but especially during the early phase of my Artist at Exit 0 Project. After each river trip I would dutifully fill up boxes in my home’s basement with my found balls and then forget about them. Over time, I started picking up lots of different objects and using them in various ways as materials for my sculptures or as offbeat collections of odd items I was creating. I guess I always knew that I would return to these balls and make something interesting with them someday. That day arrived last week.
I had no idea how many of these balls I had collected or passed up over the years? This recent photo taken in my Louisville backyard shows about 110 out of the 160 balls I did save. I decided to act on my river pearls idea by making an impractically large pearl necklace. I carried all the balls I had to my friend Tom’s sculpture studio and used his drill press to drill a hole through each ball. That was a bit more of a technical challenge than I had first conceptualized. Most of these spheres are not perfectly round. In fact their imperfections (which I really like as evidence of wear by the river and elements) made each drilling a unique experience. Eventually, I got the job done and laid out many of the balls on the concrete pad in my backyard. Just as I was beginning to thread and knot braided nylon cord through the balls…the sky let loose a monstrous rain storm. By day’s end, nearly seven inches or 17.5 centimeters of rain fell and flooded parts of my backyard and basement! It was like being visited by the river in an interesting way. I had initially “graded” each ball by condition and color to form transitions in this giant strand, but the water and now mud from my backyard changed the color of each ball. I decided to make my first piece one hundred balls long. There is a knot tied with the cord that keeps each ball from touching. At my local hardware store I found a brass hook that I could use for a clasp to close my giant necklace. All that was left to do was to return to the river…to the place that I found all of these balls and inspiration and find a way to give thanks for these many gifts.
Loading the necklace into a large red plastic tub I carried my artwork down to the Ohio River. One hundred balls became surprisingly heavy and I was concerned about twisting an ankle or tweaking my knee as I walked over the driftwood. I came to a sunny place under the railroad bridge and laid the necklace out upon the sand for the first time.
Here’s a look as some of the weathering that occurred with a few of the balls. And here is one of the first images of the necklace joined together.
This was okay for a trial run, but I had other images in mind. I have always loved the willow trees in the park and I chose one of my favorite ones to “wear” my river pearl necklace. Yes, it’s a hopelessly romantic gesture, but I felt like “celebrating” this tree in a special way. Here are a few more images.
Moving closer to the river, I stopped by an old willow that was barely alive. I draped my necklace over its old exposed roots and created a few more images.
Once in a while, a park visitor would walk by and look in my direction and continue on as though I was engaged in a most ordinary activity! If I had stumbled across this scene…I think curiosity would compel me to say something. Next is another detail from my eccentric strand of pearls.
With the river within sight, I lifted my bucket of balls and headed towards the fossil rocks. It was a sunny, but windy day and my next idea was to put the necklace into the water.
I found a pool of water surrounded by Devonian inspired limestone that would prevent my necklace from being carried away by the current’s flow. Still, the wind kept changing the configuration and blowing the balls against the rocks.
I used a beaver-chewed willow stick I found on the bank to guide my necklace into shape between photos. The necklace which I now had named “La Belle Riviere” was the name originally given by French missionaries upon encountering the Ohio River for the first time.
It seems appropriate that the river which played a large part in bringing these balls to this shore…would continue to influence how this piece would be perceived.
I enjoyed how the gourd-colored balls harmonized with the surrounding riverine landscape. I felt some sense of accomplishment in creating this piece and being able to return it to the Falls environment to create this site specific work. It was also a fitting ten-year anniversary artwork since “La Belle Riviere” began with that first found ball a decade a go. I will see how well it holds its own in a gallery environment since I want to include this piece in a two person show I’m participating in this January. After these river photos…I loaded the necklace back into its container and began the slow walk back to my car. While making this work, I did have one admirer that found the work irresistible and I will end this post with its image. So long…from the Falls of the Ohio.
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 
You rock. End of story.
yep, totally agree!
Thanks Claude…I’m sorry to have missed Matt’s unveiling of his remarkable piece at Bernheim, but couldn’t get away from work. I’m looking forward to seeing it complete.
This is so beautiful. I think that the heavens opened when you worked on it was a sign of the river gods to return the necklace to its righful owner. I hope it is not a bad omen that you took it away again.
I love the willow tree wearing the jewels. 😉
It might have been an omen…the environment is speaking to us if we would just take the time to listen and look. I think I’m okay taking the balls with me since they never belonged out here to begin with. I think the first willow pics are my favorites too.
OMG I so love this, it’s so beautiful, as is the whole story and title. Thanks so much for making such amazing art and sharing it with us!
Annerose, thanks so much for checking out my post. So very few people had the chance to see the actual work on site. My photos and story become my way to share what happened. I’m curious as to how I will feel seeing it displayed so far away from the Falls context.
String ’em and they will come.
Or at least they will follow one another! I still have some softballs left over as well as a few other “elements” I’ve been storing up for the right occasion. I’m currently on a roll (har..har) with these balls and may make this other piece sooner than later. Great hearing from you.
the willow tree sure does deserve this necklace of pearls even she is a pearl herself. Very special post, drifting land art.
Thank you Magda…I’m glad you liked it.
I’m with Claude. You’re officially (and unofficially) the coolest person I “know”- and let it be known that I have hundreds of “artists friends” from all over the world- you’re at the top of my list. I don’t know anybody that does what you do! I saw an artist on TV once, and he’s one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever seen. He would lie down in the sand and dirt just before the rain, and then continue on after several minutes in the rain- getting up quickly afterwards- leaving his body’s dry print behind him- brilliant. :0) He also made all sorts of “tree branch and flower sculptures” from their natural environments- whatever was already there were his subjects. I was in awe. I’m equally in awe with your creation here. It’s not so much even what you made, but your unselfish gesture to God and land alike. Yeah, you’re awesome, Al. :0)
p.s. Pics # 7 & 8 are the best ever- wow…
That sounds like Andy Goldsworthy’s art which I admire very much. The idea of being out in nature and creating a beautiful image from natural materials resonates with me and many other artists. Where we differ and what makes me an anti-Goldsworthy artist is that I don’t work in pristine seemingly unaffected environments. Where I make my art has definitely been mediated by man because the evidence washes up at the Falls of the Ohio all the time. There is a spirit in Nature that I try to treat respectfully and reverentially and I guess that’s what gives my art its romantic streak. Thanks for the great compliments.
You know, you’re right. That IS what sets you apart: your integration and inspiration from “man’s throwaways”. Really, Goldworthy uses what is already art to begin with. You take something “dead” and breathe life into it. By the way, I thought your draping of the necklace on the half-dead willow was like seeing something from Big Fish- it’s awe-inspiring and tear-jerking! Highly unusual in concept and I’m like, “Damn. Why didn’t I think of that?!” heheh… (Josh and I are headed down there in a bit to try and find traces of you. It’s like a scavenger hunt and great fun. :0) You have to remember that I grew up down there and know practically every inch like the back of my hand- I can tell by the sand, mud, and rock formations what area you might be in, but, that said, it’s a lot of fun looking. We went down there two weeks ago searching but ran out of daylight. We were over by the foamy creek section that’s usually bubbly in the summertime- it was as dry as a desert. First time I’ve ever seen it that dry.) Anyway, I have to nail a Criminology assignment and then we’re headed that way. I have no idea where to start looking, but, like I said, that’s part of what makes it fun.
(p.s. I really, really, really, really hope you make a print of pic # 8 because it’s totally gallery-worthy- the exposure, POV/angle tells a beautiful story in itself. Perfect. I get the feeling that you’re very much like me- money schmoney and money doesn’t drive me at all in my art. But, that said, if you were going to “sell prints”- that would be the one. It’s really very good.) And on that note, congratz on your upcoming showing! xo
I hear you B., I think those shots came out very well too. When I was working on site…I could just tell that those images were going to be special.
Absolutely- and (broken record) the exposure, especially, is spot on. They’d make excellent metallic prints. (Metallic is my favourite, with wire hangers. Very “studio flat in NYC.)
Fabulous. A great piece of work. I love the fact that it took so long in the making. A bit of wild patience, there. I also really appreciate the way you write about your work, as if it’s perfectly normal – which of course to an artist it is – without having to get all caught up in International Art English.
Thank you Clare…as someone who has done a lot of art writing, I could never understand why artists would want to come off as being pretentious, unless their perceived audience was built up of “insiders”? I have always thought there was a certain mastery in being able to explain something complicated in plain and simple language so that laypeople could understand or connect with it in some way.
What a fantastic and beautiful project!
Hi Linda…thank you for your kind words. I’ve just checked out your cyber-site and seen that I have missed a lot of what you have been doing. I can’t wait to take the time to explore more.
great work – worth the wait (weight) in gold. The long term exposure to the elements provides a beautiful lustre and I perfectly understand why you started collecting – good luck with the show in January looking forward to seeing the other exhibits 🙂
Thanks for checking it out Veronica! I love the surface qualities that result from natural weathering. I will keep posting about the work that will end up in the show. I’ve been so busy with my day job that I haven’t had the chance to check out what my other artist friends are up to. In particular, I hope that you and your partner’s exhibit has been a success.
Your are welcome and thanks for asking about our show – yes we have been fortunate and sold a number of pieces (each) no competition or anything 🙂 !!
HI Al.
I LOVE this ball piece and what you created. If there were 108 ball it would qualify as one huge mala. –which it reminds me of visually. I think this would make a great photo essay or something all by itself. Wow.
So glad to see that roos/magda has been here and seen it too.
For some reason this material of yours is giving me the warm fuzzies. Huh. I’m not complaining.
🙂
Sorry for the late get around. Am having pc difficulties off and on at my end and it sure is slowing down my cyber surfing.
That’s interesting about the 108 balls. I had wondered about the potential symbolism behind the ball numbers? I didn’t want to intend something that it wasn’t (a rosary for example, although if that’s what people see into it…okay). Using exactly 100 balls seemed generic enough to be open in terms of interpretation and large enough for the piece I saw in my head. Sorry to hear about the PC. Does it have anything to do with all the music videos you have embedded? Otherwise, everyone has been so busy including me. I’m going to take today and make the cyber rounds and looking forward to reading your latest musings!
Hmm, yes 108 and a generic 100—good idea, Al to leave it open to interpretation.
PC hard times due to age and a piece essential to playing online video games losing its mojo. Among other things.Ahhh such is the life of cyber surfers. 🙂
My PC is getting old too which is one reason I don’t mess with video much. Really not looking forward to getting sucked into an upgrade.
Had I happened upon you while you were engaged in this activity, I would have stopped and shown some interest in what you were doing. I have noticed, over the years that fewer people stop to talk when I am painting in a park. I rarely hear a “Hello” even if I look up and say, “Hi” to them. I have begun to think this part of our times. People are more cautious in their “speak” when they don’t know the other.
Your necklace is beautiful, fit for a giant diva. I liked the idea of the river shaping it. Excellent post.
Hi Leslie…you are probably right about folks not saying “hello” in public settings. Ironically, we are in the midst of a “communications revolution” and yet it seems harder to speak with our fellow Americans on the street for fear of something. Are we getting to a point that we need technology to mediate everything? Thanks for checking out my river bling!