Vonnegut at Cornell University: two eyes and a quote

art by Kurt Vonnegut as seen at Cornell University. 2015

 Do you like being asked about favorites? What is your favorite cake, flower, 80's band, color, ... author?  To say one is a favorite seems wrong to me. Really are Cosmos better than Dahlias?

There was a time period where Vonnegut was one of my favorite authors. His writing spoke to where I was in my early and mid twenties and I read everything I could get my hands on. I am not sure if I would enjoy it as much these days, maybe.

art by Kurt Vonnegut as seen at Cornell University. 2015

I did not go to Ithaca to see his art. I was much more interested in seeing waterfalls, which I did. But it was there on a steep campus and now I can remember my younger days. Legs and spirit that would have carried me about a campus that now looked better suited for mountain goats than humans.

But here is a Vonnegut quote shared by the museum currator, and at this moment in time, as brief as moments can last... It is my favorite. Maybe it needs to be taken within me when I enter my studio.

quote by Kurt Vonnegut as seen at Cornell University. 2015

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A week of poetic feet selfies #2 --- what we can't know by James LaVilla-Havelin

what we can’t know

the number of the dead
the stretch of an hour
a bird’s heart
how our embrace feels to the embraced
the moment of a flower’s opening
dirt’s weight
outermost ripples of friendship and love
peace
what our hands do while we sleep
a lie’s uncurling
the depth of loss
an insect’s view
silence
morning brushing against treetops
how we are remembered

James LaVilla-Havelin, "what we can't know" from Counting. Copyright © 2010 by James LaVilla-Havelin. Used with the permission of the author.

As seen on the Poet Walk at the Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester NY

 

 

 

Three that caught my eye ~> glass by Rene Lalique

As seen at the Corning Museum of Glass.

 

On entering my newest year

In Buffalo. In a sculpture.

I celebrated 50 years with a jazz conert and a campaign to feed the hungry. But time marches on and so does my mind.

I was a decent letter writer back in the day. Over time it stopped. I hear that the post office still sends out such things. I imagine my friends have addresses they might share if I am lacking their current location.

So I had this thought, I will send a letter a week for the next year. Not a note, but a letter, hand written. I'm rusty. Beware my friends; I have memories of nearly getting straight A's in elementary school but being thwarted by some harsh C- marks for penmanship. Over time I developed a half cursive/ half printing scrawl. I think it can be deciphered.

Some letters may include a Stratozpheric card or maybe a suncatcher that seems to need a home. Some may be tucked inside a card that catches my eye or one of the cards sent recently by a friend. Maybe a commission will spark a letter. Some will fly solo inside an envelope. The goal is not to draw cards or give away art. I desire to return to writing letters.

Letter writing is a chance to reflect upon what is happening in my life. Like pizza making it may become a habit, something I am known for.

And who knows, if one of the letters gets a response, a life long correspondence may happen. That would be quite splendid.

 

Dorothy Haffner's Aurora at the Corning Museum of Glass ~> 1995 fused and blown glass

Aurora at the Corning Museum of Glass ~> 1995 fused and blown glass

 

Dorothy Haffner created this with assistance of Lino Tagliapietra in 1995. Earlier today, Margaret chose the same piece to feature on her wordless Wednesday post. She chose the bottom, so I will feature the top.

 

Josef Albers: Study for the Homage to the Square NC State Museum of Art

 

 

Visiting Belief + Doubt ~ Barbara Kruger at the Hirshhorn

Our second stop in DC was the round Smthsonian, home of modern art. Taking the trip into the Hishhorn's basement exhibit was quite the escalator ride.

I loved how POWER hovered above Whose bodies? Whose beliefs?

But first I was taken by this quote by Malcolm X. How true is this ~

Margaret than stood between Faith and Doubt. A place I often stand every day.

Now watch how they installed this and watch how people resond when they get into this space.

 

Cell Cube with Purple Manipulation by Jiyong Lee

seen and photographed at the
Corning Museum of Glass

Vase, Weller Pottery ~ Glazed Earthenware decorated by Jacques Sicard 1903

as seen at the
Philadelphia Museum of Art
photo by Wayne Stratz

Wordless Wednesday ~ Leopold Forstner(1878-1936): Mosaic with Fish

Leopold Forstner(1878-1936): Mosaic with Fish from the Corning Museum of Glass
photo by Wayne Stratz

Wordless Wednesday: Three from the Memorial Art Museum in Rochester, NY

still lacking words for Corning Museum of Glass

After "American Gothic" by Devorah Sperber; having fun in Rochester

Take some spoils of thread...





create an upside down master piece...





give Mosaic Woman a tool made of glass...





and have fun at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY ...

Fridays in PA---- Tiffany Lamps Come to Reading Public Museum

10 weeks ago I was displaying my stained glass, while also being on my annual Walking with God Retreat, when I was told about an exhibit I may want to see. The Reading Public Museum had a display of Tiffany lamps. Soon a letter came in the mail from my new friend. It contained info on the museum and two discount passes. Then craft show delirium hit home.

With my winter break from teaching dwindling and the show ending date (1/234/10) approaching, Mosaic Woman and I took a day trip yesterday to check out the lamps. The museum put on a wonderful display and I was curious if it would spur me to finally design a Stratoz lamp. Maybe? To do it right it needs to be complicated and that means costly. The Tiffany Lamps sold for 1/4 to 1/2 of the average US salary back in the day. Can you imagine? Don't think I would charge that much.

I also was looking for a facebook profile photo shoot opportunity. The last two had been standing behind and peering through sculptures, so as I walked the museum I kept my eyes open for the location of my next profile photo. Mosaic Woman took the photo of me peering through a ceremonial table from the Philippines. The museum had much to look at other than the lamps and I got to say some glass caught my eye: A stained glass tribute to Irvin F. Impink, who donated land for the museum, which greets you as you climb the stairs.




Happy New Years!

wordless Wednesday: undeground art passageway