Have you ever passed through a place without even noticing its presence? Or perhaps the place is keeping its knowledge from us? I can't speak for you, but I am certainly guilty of this.
Strikes of Inspiration
Crown Shyness & Wind Chimes in Orchestration... Touches by the Hand isn't the only one of my artworks inspired by mother nature, but it's the one that looks to bring the viewers to the present and to produce empathy with their surroundings.
This interactive art piece reflects on the forest of Henri Pittier National Park in my native Venezuela. Living just three miles away from this enchanting place was a true gift, and I aspire for this artwork to inspire others to recognize the beauty of nature.
The Magic of The Henri Pittier National Park
It's the oldest national park in Venezuela, characterized by its climatic diversity, but its cloud forest is one of its most prominent features. A splendid forest distinguished by its frequent low-level clouds, a mist that persistently covers its mountains for about 200-250 days a year. (Zinck, 34)
As the mist and dew wrap every inch of the woods, plants emerge to start embroidering a rich tapestry reaching the highest branches of the colossal trees. Their towering crowns and lush greenery create a breathtaking canopy that blankets this magnificent jungle.
Yes! Henri Pittier is a magical place inhabited by a vast diversity of flora and fauna, categorizing it among one of the most biologically diverse parks in the world.
My memories came, and I felt a flutter in my belly, a mixture of fear and emotion in my chest!
Spark of Inspiration
Whenever I connect with nature, I experience a strange yet gratifying sensation of constant sparkles in my chest that flow into my mind, igniting inspiration within me. It feels similar to falling in love. This reminds me of the opening line from Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Big Magic," where she asks, "What is creativity? The bond between a person and the enigma of inspiration."
All-around Sculpture
A poem to you…
The witness of my adventures
You're a magical place—the witness of my adventures.
Your winds and smells cover me with freshness
alongside each tiny water droplet of your permanent mist that hides from the sun and lives near the earth’s surface.
A tropical mist that touches me and refreshes
my passing.
Dominated by trees, your stunning but extremely friendly body welcomes me.
Between stories, legends, and truths, your energy covers my body and runs through my skin.
I close my eyes, and I listen to you; I feel you;
I smell you. I can see you!
Your nights are mysterious; the sounds of your breathing are amplified. The drops of water that rest on your body's leaf shine like precious stones coupled with the flickering and flirting of the fireflies. The black tones of your shadows seductively dance along with the captivating melody left by the wake of the breeze.
And at dawn, the rays of light seep through the canopies' leaves, showing the blue sky between their small cleft.
You're a magical place—the witness of my adventures.
PROCESS, Material, & Technique
As part of the Lines Collection, this sculptural installation uses plywood lamination as the primary procedure to explore and challenge its boundaries through diverse three-dimensional expressions. However, it always intends to captivate the viewer by the repetition of the veneer's lines depicted. It was a Meticulous process that required detailed three-dimensional rendering, precise measures, and cuts.
3-D Renderings
Each wooden tube is made with stripes of maple plywood from domestically grown, sustainably harvested trees. The layers of the plywood veneers exhibit the warmth and timeless quality of the natural timber grains, which run along the length of each piece. Hollow wooden parts are symmetrically arranged and connected with thin metal ropes.
The Process
In Display at...
Right now, Crown Shyness & Wind Chimes in Orchestration... Touches by the Hand is on display and for sale at MAINSITE Contemporary Gallery as part of the 40 Over 40: Women Artists of Oklahoma juried exhibition called up by the Norman Arts Council.
Event Dates: Feb 14 - Mar 13, 2020
Closing Reception: Mar 13. From 6 PM to 10 PM
MAINSITE Contemporary Art
122 E. Main Street
Norman, OK 73070