In Conversation with Art
I know this may sound crazy, but I have conversations with my art. Yup, it’s true, I talk with my work, and then allow myself to connect with the quiet energy that it communicates back in response.
I became conscious of my conversations during my exhibit in Kyoto last year. Perhaps it stemmed from the daily prayers that I offered at the small temple along Tetsugaku-no-Michi (Philosophers Path), or the quiet moments inside the temple before I opened the heavy doors, or maybe I’ve been doing it unconsciously since who knows when. However it started, it’s become ritual, especially during exhibits.
I think, in general, we artists invest tremendous amounts of love and care into our work and often find it difficult to let the work have a life of its own after it is finished. We often want to protect it, as if it were a child. We want the collector to love it as much as we do.
In Kyoto, I didn’t know how the Japanese viewers would respond to my “contemporary hanging scrolls”, my modern interpretation on their classical art form. I found myself waffling between a quiet fear and an abundance of optimism. In an effort to quite the nagging feelings of the unknown, I found myself in conversation with my art.
Each morning, I would enter the dark temple, turn the lights on, and enjoy the quietness of the space. I began to wonder what the artwork may have experienced inside the sacred space overnight, and suddenly, I found myself in conversation with the work.
Quite by surprise, I began to address each work individually, affirming the qualities in it that I enjoy so much. As my energy became aligned with the happiness I felt in the process of creation, and in my reflection of the process, I found myself moving away from the fear of the unknown and fully into a calm and confident place of knowing the work would be appreciated.
In these conversations, I encouraged the work to reach out and touch the perfect collector who would love and treasure them as much as I did. I would communicate how excited I was for them to be able to choose their new home and caretakers. I would express my pleasure in seeing them hanging in such an appropriate space. Then, with the cool air of an autumn morning surrounding me, I would get quite and listen to their energetic reply. They, too, were excited and longed for a rich and full life of appreciation.
Last weekend, as I hung my Open Studios show, I found myself in this meditative and affirming process again, talking to the work, and encouraging their future. They responded in turn, communicating their desire for a new life where they could share their personalities and fully shine.
What are your rituals for letting go of your creations? Feel free to share them here.
Tags: Affirmations, Conversations, Kyoto, Open Studios
May 19th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Truly lovely, Lyn. You are an inspiration to me.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
What a beautiful post, Lyn. There is no doubt I have conversations (or communion) with my art. It is on such a deep level. So personal, that I have often held aside certain paintings that I cannot seem to part with. I have learned that those special paintings are also the ones that others seem to covet. Now if I could let go of them, give them a life of their own, perhaps I would see more of that financial success I have been seeking. Thank you for sharing a new process for me to experiment with.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
This was really quite affecting for me ~ what you wrote of your affinity for your work in conversations with them. I must say that it inspired me to do this way more than I do. I know that I have these conversations as I am doing the work…when it gets to a certain point in its progress, it starts talking back to me and I must take that into consideration to take it to completion.
Thank you.
Lynne