Saturday, December 7, 2013

13P-8 (December 6)

It was an interesting day. We'd had a long discussion about the "Fighting Spirit" situation, and I gained a little more understanding of what a relationship is. Experiments, doing things together, without expectations. I'm too used to planning these things.

Friday started with a run to the store to fix the bare cupboard problem. After that, there were some other errands I needed to do, and a bike ride would have been nice. The tidal window was still open, though, and there was sunlight even if the day was fairly cold. Sand sculpture won the choice.

This continued the series of highly tactile sculptures, with broad curves and sturdy parts that invite touch. The style looks back to 1984, but with something like current hollows and flow.

The day ended with golden wispy clouds drawn on the sky like calligraphy with horsehair brushes and wind. The needs of sand sculpture don't work well with the needs of staying warm, and I left before sunset so that walking could warm me.









Wednesday, December 4, 2013

13P-7, "Fighting Spirit" (December 4)

I guess I still don't really believe. This sculpture started with an argument with God, war waged with the #1 Loop Tool against sunlight, cold and caring. We eventually sorted things out. It was still cold.

The sculpture would have benefited from more cooperation and less hurry. There was plenty of sunlight left when I called it done. Still, I like it, and it's an interesting continuation of developing ideas of what a sculpture is beyond the definition that served for so many years: a block of sand with holes cut into it. The arch paradigm no longer rules quite so firmly.

Nor does the idea that there is value in delicacy for delicacy's sake. Yes, it's a great way to show off carving skills, to make a shell-like structure that's less than an inch thick, but does the design work? Now I'm exploring design. Engineering has been well proven.










Sunday, December 1, 2013

13P-6, "Now Do You Believe Me???"

Free-piled sculpture must be started just after the receding tide has uncovered sand fine enough for the purpose. The other end of the window is defined by sunset. The window slides forward, day by day, following the moon's progress in its orbit. When falling tide comes too close to sunset, the window is closed and I have to wait. Late-window starts get the benefit of afternoon lighting, as in this sculpture.

There are a few days left in the present window, and I might be able to get a nice sunset sculpture in. Assuming weather permits, of course.

Note the drying area at the top of the sculpture. This one ran about 4 hours, which is a long time in the sun. I didn't bring a sprayer and had no way to carry water to sprinkle onto the sculpture, so I just had to be careful as it dried out.

Construction images are by Larry Dudock, with my EOS-70D. I did the image editing and adjustments with the GIMP, as for all 2013 sculptures.