Playing with Shadows

Light and shadow were the theme for this project, and one of the readings, "Black Box: Between the Lens and the Eyepiece" by the artist William Kentridge, got me to thinking about how my kids play with shadows, and how fascinating shadows really are. In this article, Kentridge talks about "shadow puppets", crating a shadow on the wall using backlit hands. We have all done that--playing around with how to get your hands placed "just so" in order to make the shadow look like a dog, a bunny, or a bird--that is about the extent of my shadow puppet abilities! What Kentridge pointed out, was that we know that the shadow is not that of an actual animal, that it is an illusion created by our hands and the use of light and shadow, but that we tend to "recognize the pleasure that you derive from this self deception". That we cannot "stop the suspension of disbelief". I love that he was able to put that feeling into words. Just because I know that the shadows are not actual creatures, it is so much fun, and perhaps a personal challenge, to make them. I love being taken to a different place through imagination and suspension of disbelief whether it is a movie, book, etc. Throw three kids in the mix, and its a party! Their creativity in not only making the shadow puppets themselves, but suspending their disbelief and delighting in the shadows is such a joy to experience. All of my kids, the 2 younger boys aged 3 and 8 in particular, sleep with lights or flashlights at night. Sometimes it is used as a security blanket, to scare away unwanted shadows, other times it becomes a crazy lazer-beam light show, but often, they make shadow puppets on the wall, and make up little plays or stories to go along with the shadow characters they are creating, and have many minutes of entertainment and pleasure! To see that Kentridge can use "shadow puppets" in quite a more sophisticated manner, and with such underlying commentary about racial wars, violence, and history, but also with a sense of playfulness, is wonderful.

Darkness and Light

This is the self portrait photo that I am using for the project. Interesting what happens to the shapes and lines in the photo as it is reduced down to only black and white. I like the way the folds in my shirt made stripy lines--that was unexpected. We took the picture with a light from the side so as to cast shadows on one side of my face. The trick for the project was making all of the black shapes connect so that I will be able to cut the whole picture from one sheet of black paper. What has been fun for me so far, was coming up with the other imagery that is symbolic of my life. The kids, our pet rats, our house, zebra stripes, quilting blocks, etc. I have just about finished compiling the imagery and reduced them to black and white shapes--can post a pic of the layout next.

Installation--"Rock Art"

So, we had a fire drill during class a couple of weeks ago. We were lined up outside, on a path next to some xeriscaping. I had the installation project in the back of my mind--still hadn't decided what to do. While we were standing out there, I began to notice all of the interesting shapes, colors, textures, strata, etc. that made up the rocks. I began to think about how I could use that inspiration for my installation..... I began the process by repainting a bazillion squares of color. The Bristol Board that we had been doing our mixing color samples would be too stiff to wrap around a rock. I used recycled packing paper, which was nice and thin and crinkly.

Next, I tore the painted squares into smaller shapes--mostly rectangles and squares. I learned how to tear paper on the correct grain so that I didn't end up with an unpainted edge along the torn edge--you learn something new every day!

Here is the view of my 5 "Art Rocks" as seen coming down the path. The orange rock seems to stand out the best, catching one's eye, and then hopefully the viewer will have a closer look to see what it is all about.

Can you see them now? Five rocks, one in neutral grays and browns, one in reddish browns and dusty greens, one in blues, one in pinks and purples, and the last one in orange. Had some technical difficulties along the way, but all in all, I am pleased with the outcome.