Blue

Although I sadly have no pictures to post, I do have many ideas swirling around about the new theme and my proposed project. With the recent move and the birth of the new babe, I have been thinking a lot about family and motherhood and again, the roles we all wear in the context of family. Specifically I have been thinking about gender roles. Jamaica is pretty traditional when it comes to gender. Women work but they are also fully responsible for child rearingl. The men are generally absent, even if the couple is married. He is immersed in his work and "goes about his business" while the woman takes care of the house and children plus any career she might have. Little boys must learn to find their way in life mostly without the influence of their fathers. Strong male role models are few and far between. It leads to excessive aggression, depression and a sense of abandonment. To raise a little boy to be a sensitive, thoughtful, articulate man is a challenge.

My piece is centered in this social dilemma of how to raise a little boy against the grain of the norm. Right now it is taking the form of an installation and be composed of these parts:

a hand woven rag rug---using my son's outgrown clothing, dying them in an indigo bath and weaving them into a circular rag rug. This will be the central element.

the clothesline---white toddler T-shirts with images of my son silkscreened on them and strung across the room, creating the background for the piece

"something" centered on the rug---still thinking about what can go on the rug...some symbol of who the little boy is to become?? it's still forming...

The differences between raising girls and boys here is profound since the birth of my daughter. I'm already noticing how differently people treat my children. I wonder if people's interactions with them would be similar if we were still in Brooklyn...

Weaving the Stories

I've been thinking a lot about the performance aspect of the my piece. I feel like I've been neglecting it as I try to finish the physical work. I have been using the concept of Grandmother Spider as inspiration for my piece. I have been rereading one of my favorite books, Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. The book is written as a ceremony and emphasizes the importance of change and flexibility in order for the people to thrive and grow. It's a tough lesson, but necessary. The 'wise ones' (in this case, the matriarchs) have to change the ceremonies in order to keep the family safe and moving forward. Anyway, I have also been doing some online research to find other stories featuring Grandmother Spider. Below is an excerpt I found on this website http://www.herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/September05/goddess.htm

THE WEB OF LIFE
by Taino Ti (I share the Spirit of the Earth with you)

When the Universe was still so dark that not even shadows could be seen in the night, Grandmother Spider sat in her web in the Sky World, waiting and watching. No one knows how old Grandmother Spider is, or how long she sat waiting for the Universal Mind to awaken. But, every Creature Being who has ever lived knows her song and dance as the weaver of the Web of Life.

From her web, Grandmother Spider observed the first thoughts as the Universal Mind awakened from the dream. Seven energy beings floated out from the shining light in the center of the Universal Mind and solidified into bright, shining stars who went out to take their places in the Sky World. Grandmother Spider took a very deep breath and softly began to sing her weaving song while she danced across the Sky. As she spun her thread, Grandmother Spider envisioned the Web of Life. Within moments, she had woven her web connecting the seven stars and creating the Spirit Doorway through which all of the rest of life would enter.

Progress

Well, it is the second day of 2010 and already it is 100% better than 2009. I was happy to host 3 One Stone Collective members and their families for a traditional sauerkraut meal. To be blessed with good food and good friends is something I'm eternally grateful for. And this little holiday vacation has been the best gift. I spent some time in PA with family and was able to come back to Brooklyn refreshed and inspired. I even got in some much cherished studio time. The second 'net' is well underway and things are looking lively. It's not the easiest to photograph so bear with...but I think you can get an idea of what's developing. Until soon...peace and wellness...