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| Remember this Image from November of 2014? |
In November, 2014, Connie posted a comment admitting she was fascinated with Abakanowicz’s work, describing herself as the contemplative in her book club who liked to get into people’s heads.
In revisiting the earlier Abakanowicz post, I was shocked that I hadn’t responded to her comment.
Not replying (despite the fact I resonated with her offering) was because I didn’t know what to say. And then the task flew out of my head.
Now revisiting her comment, I notice she said she likes to get into people’s heads. If you look closely you will see there are no heads.
My sincere apologies Connie. I learn from your comments. Thanks for helping me bring out my silly side. If you keep reading you will notice my silliness transforms to seriousness.
In revisiting the earlier Abakanowicz post, I was shocked that I hadn’t responded to her comment.
Not replying (despite the fact I resonated with her offering) was because I didn’t know what to say. And then the task flew out of my head.
Now revisiting her comment, I notice she said she likes to get into people’s heads. If you look closely you will see there are no heads.
My sincere apologies Connie. I learn from your comments. Thanks for helping me bring out my silly side. If you keep reading you will notice my silliness transforms to seriousness.
Mary Jane Jacob, curator and writer from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, presented a lecture (6/7/2015) featuring stunning slides of Magdalena Abakanowicz’s work. To say I was knocked off my feet, would not be an exaggeration.
While Jacob explained how Magdalena’s Mother’s arm was shot off, then showed slides of headless, limbless eerily alive statues, proceeded to quote the artist that uncertainty was her constant companion, expressed how Magdalena felt alone in a crowd of people, my anxiety kicked up.
While Jacob explained how Magdalena’s Mother’s arm was shot off, then showed slides of headless, limbless eerily alive statues, proceeded to quote the artist that uncertainty was her constant companion, expressed how Magdalena felt alone in a crowd of people, my anxiety kicked up.
I was wearing loose shoes I wasn’t used to and I was alone. The distance to the railing that would guide me up the stairs seemed cavernous. There was a crowd of people but I didn’t feel old enough to ask for help.
In solidarity with people who have mobility problems, I edged myself over to the rail.
In solidarity with people who have mobility problems, I edged myself over to the rail.
Abakanowicz, who turns 85 next week, lives in Warsaw, Poland, and doesn’t travel anymore. She seemed to whisper in my ear, “You need to be determined.”
Jacob said her actual quote was more like you need to be determined to be an artist and have a fire in your belly and be filled with urgent necessity to make art. What I heard from this courageous artist was encouragement.
Has fear made you doubt? What? Have your received unexpected encouragement? Please share with me/us by sending an email or going to www.nickymendenhall.blogspot.com
Jacob said her actual quote was more like you need to be determined to be an artist and have a fire in your belly and be filled with urgent necessity to make art. What I heard from this courageous artist was encouragement.
Has fear made you doubt? What? Have your received unexpected encouragement? Please share with me/us by sending an email or going to www.nickymendenhall.blogspot.com
Magdalena Abakenowicz
The Flock II
Burlap and resin; dimensions variable
Permission given by Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections: Purchased with funds from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc.m 1992.36
Photo Credit – Rich Sanders, Des Moines
4 comments
I am not a "fan of Fear" or Change. If you think about those words,they are unmistakably related.The endless nagging thoughts of " what ifs, I can'ts,nor do I even want to,can cripple a person, not news to anyone..But after 32 years at the same comfortable job, and the business closed,I was forced to put on my Big Girl Pants.Even tho we all knew the end was near,I seriously think the toughest part was "waiting it out ". Once you've been thrown overboard, you can float with the Life Jacket, and eventually I found myself sliding out of it and swimming..,not necessarily with the Big Fish,but I no longer felt like a sinking stone.I remember constantly reassuring my child ,and when I was calling him for advice and reassurance,,I could hear the same echo, only 27 years later. Deep Breaths…
Glad you had the Life Jacket when you needed it. Glad you no longer do. What a neat thing to hear your words through your son 27 years later!
Thanks for sharing with me/us.
It's kind of fascinating to me that I stated how I like to "get into authors' heads" and then I see that in this artwork which I contemplate every time I see it…they have no heads! Now I have an entirely new thing to contemplate! I will be turning this over in my mind for a while…..
Your unconscious may be trying to tell you something about – well – something! I agree – lots to contemplate!
You may want to go to the DM Art Center and see the new configuration of the Flock by Abakanowicz which is located lower gallery of the Meier Wing next to Ada's Party. I stood there contemplating the isolation we humans feel at times.
I don't always think about the careful way curators decide to place works of art but this made it almost impossible not to notice.
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