Finding Harmony in Disharmony

It's exciting and a bit anxiety inducing to start a new piece of art. The goal is always to push beyond the parameters of the last piece, but not to fall off the edge.

My goal in this series has been to create works that harmonize elements that we don't typically think of as fitting easily or comfortably together: natural/organic elements, spiritual or cosmic aspects + technology. What I've accomplished so far is up in the portfolio section of my website (www.daleeastman.com).

With this piece, I wanted to push myself to create something larger than the previous pieces. Could I suggest the vastness and beauty of a forest (nature) as well as its wildness and mystery (spirit) and still incorporate technological elements? When completed, I want a viewer to be able to look at this piece and initially see harmony/unity, and only later realize that the different parts exist in precarious symbiosis. 

Step 1: Using several branches of grape vine wood, dowling plugs and industrial strength glue, I've begun to build a stand of trees. I had to fit them together like a vertical puzzle, while also making sure they were balanced in a way that they won't tip over once I affix the canopy. The wood came from a garden center out near the coast. Without a car, I had to schlep out and back by train, carrying the wood in my arms, a juggling act that left me scraped up and pretty dirty. Several times I was asked, "What's that?" After my explanation, I got similar replies: "Wow, cool," or "Gosh, how interesting." The individual pieces of wood look a bit like misshapen swords, an implement that's mysterious or magical looking and maybe even a little dangerous in the wrong hands. At least half a dozen people stopped and asked me about the wood. They were all either young boys or women my own age. 

Step 2: Next up....

---