Hanging Around and Collecting

So, first thing this morning I read this, the first line of the Horror-Scope:

The Sun's quintile with potent Pluto reminds you that nearly anything is possible with good planning and smart execution.

Quintile? Is this something about 'five'

Potent Pluto? Last I heard it had been marginalized, so what's potent about it?

WTF?

So, enough of tryng to decypher. Instead here's a guy we need to know about:

Idea Man, Peter Eudenbach's Coffee Table- look closely- those are percolator tops set into the table and if you go look at his site, you can see a video of it actually brewing coffee. I need this.

Last night I missed the lecture at the MFA in Boston with Chuck Close, someone who I would love to see and hear. But to make up for it, today in Palm Beach, I went to the Norton and saw a simply unbelievable Nick Cave exhibit of his 'Sound Suits'. Thanks to Beverly-the-South for the tip, fortuitously given me just moments before my friend Laurie reappeared looking for field trip ops! (Things always appear when you need them! Yea Laurie!) The polar bears, actual size, wearing sweaters cobbled together from used garments, were spectacular. And it gave me some ideas, just as you suspected!

These things are heavily embellished dance costumes that make their own noises and influence whoever is inside them to lose inhibitions and dance with abandon. The costumes themselves were displayed on maniquins arranged in an open circle so you could walk around them to see all sides. This was important because the backs were quite different from the fronts, and then the headpieces were a third aspect. Here is an interview with the artist:

There were videos projected of the costumes in motion and it was a wonder to see these things twirling and clacking. Unfortunately there was to be a dance tonight but we didn't know in time to stay for it. Yeah, I bought the book.

And here is an image of my favorite. Note the doilies and crocheted bodysuit and then notice that the headpiece is all old tops and toy metal instruments! I would love to have heard this one in action.

What a nice break from cleaning the studio and finally getting the huge bins of fabric arranged on the shelving. It came to me on one of my midnight wandrings that maybe the reason the Muse isn't checking on me is that I can't SEE my fabric to get the juices flowing, so we'll try this next. The bins are so heavy I can't lift some of them and instead unload them where they lie. But it's mostly done now, just have to tweak a few things, like getting the collage stuff all together, getting the sewing supplies on one shelf, and finding a place for all the vintage embroideries and tablecloths I've managed to collect. I *think* the combined weight of the tablecloths about equals my weight- and let's face it... I need to download some of my stuff! Ouch. Too big a job, think I'll just keep collecting. Who knows, maybe I CAN use it all up. Or perhaps Nick Cave will come a 'callin'! Hey Nick, need some more crocheted doilies? Oh, I sure hope so.

In other news, I got a short video from the favorite son that he has arrived in Strasbourg and had indeed found Jackie! What a trip they have planned, and it's finally a reality after all these months of planning. Via con dios. Too bad the entire country of France is on strike and their Europasses aren't working until they get out of the country. So I hear. Oh well, they'll figure it out. I bet they don't care a bit at this point.