She leads me to the gallery full of freshly hung work for the UNC Gala show that opens tomorrow. "You can get out but not back in to the room." she said. "Just turn the light off when you leave please." "Thank you so much!" I reply as the door closes behind her.
Alone in the gallery or space before a show opens is like climbing into a seed pod before it blossoms. I am surrounded by possibility, story, and process. Possibility that someone will engage with the art work. Stories told and stories perceived. Processes that have happened and will happen. I am left in the space and met with my five canvas on the cream colored carpeted wall. I open my box and pull out the skein of black perle cotton used to stitch on the canvas. There was little hesitation in that moment of time as I tie a knot to a piece of string already hanging from the fifth canvas (image to the)left and begin to unwind the skein. The yarn dances and loops around itself. It puddles on to floor just as I have imagined. Suddenly, I discover that the yarn has the ability to stick to carped wall. This variable is magic and I am drawing with yarn on the wall and floor! It bridges the space between the wall and floor, changing the overall dynamic of the pieces. The unknown has made the space full and the piece complete. Stop. Up until this minute, it was not finished.
Stop
Now it is complete
It exists for now
This work
On this wall
In this space
Inhale
Exhale
The ship has set sail
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I will post pictures soon of the actual exhibit. Nothing beats seeing artwork in person though if you are able to do so! The University of Northern Colorado Gala is Saturday, February 12. The art show begins at 6:00 pm and is free and open to the public. The music and theatre performance is at 8:00 pm and is a ticketed event. Please visit http://www.arts.unco.edu/gala/index.html for more information. Hope to see you there!
