Project notes and Self-Eval 4/18

Well, I finished my site-based project, and it really did turn out fantastic. I only wish I had remembered to bring my own camera's battery, so that I could have some pictures of before AND after we worked, maybe with even a little bit of during work in there.
In any case, it really was a fantastic experience.

We cleared all the larger rocks and dead matter out of the stream in front of the large rock. My first intent was to create something calm and peaceful, but as we removed more of the dead blockage and started opening up the current, the place started to get a wonderful feeling of energy to it. using all those large rocks we excavated from the stream, we lined the sides of the stream bed with them, creating a very low, small rock wall, about waist height at some points.
We dusted off and cleaned away some of the dead matter on the large rock, making a large space a person could easily sit on (and quite comfortably, too), and overlook this small clean portion of stream. Since the current and flow increased, it swept away the majority of sand and muddy water that was clouding up the clear stream, revealing a bed of beautiful pebbles that carpeted the bottom. using some of these small pebble I made a design on the rock - I'm honestly not sure why, it just seemed like a nice thing to do. And using some of the smaller, flatter rocks from the earlier clearing out, I lined one of the rock walls with a continuous connected chain of these stones, both as a design element and as a small metaphor for something I learned during this: every part of nature is connected some way, even it its just a few rocks in a stream. Moving just one rock might alter the current in a manner significant enough to reveal other rocks hidden within the sand, or even small creatures that would then scurry off to parts unknown.
I also wish I had a camera I could take film with, you need to hear this stream as much as see it to really appreciate how wonderful it is, but I don't.
I do have quite a few pictures to post though, so I really hope they can help show how nice it turned out:

4/11 Reading notes: Skip Schukmann (and project notes for site-based project)

Reading about Skip Schukmann, I am instantly interested in his desire to, instead of creating large, expansive, and generalized works of art, teach an individual one-on-one how to enjoy the plain comforts and pleasures of the natural world, while helping them to form their own ideas into concrete areas like gardens or even a guesthouse made of various materials left over from a previous excavation. I love his attitude that even complicated, finished creations can be seen as raw material for future incarnations, much like just about anything in nature. His method with working just SOUNDS so right, I would love to learn myself how to do some of it. Hell, just moving around some rocks in the stream at Reedy Creek Park in preparation for my project left me with a great feeling, much like spending time with your best friend, or just one of the most relaxing days ever (and all this in light of the fact I got my pinky smashed between some rocks). I love his idea of taking EVERYTHING about an area into account: winds, types of soil and where they lay, weather and rain and even existing constructions, shadows, and inhabitants! And all while using as little fabricated material as possible - none, if he can help it!
I also love how he doesn't entertain the same notion that art and architecture should exist indefinitely in the same form it was left in the last time the artist touched it: like it was some sort of museum piece? That doesn't feel like art at all! The art of Schukmann is as much his creation of these buildings, these manifestations of natural beauty brought forth from bare earth and stone and wood, as in the way they, like all things in nature, change over time and the varying pressures of the world! THAT's real art: Art that never means the same thing twice! Is it something he is likely to be remembered forever in the history books for? No, but it IS something that he will be remembered for in the hearts of every person he has worked with. He isn't just shaping clay and stone, he's shaping the lives of the people around him as well. Another aspect I love is how he doesn't start with any one set idea in his mind. I work much similarly: oh, sure I'll have some idea at first, but as I work with the material and learn what it likes to do and refuses to do, or even depending on the mood I'm in or how the atmosphere of a place is, the work will change, sometimes only slight deviations, but often going in directions I never originally imagined! And so often these works are the ones I feel the most fulfilled about: ones that either burst forth from a spontaneous thought, or slowly grew from just a niggling idea, but they always turn into something new and exciting at the end.
But something that really makes me think is how he states that he doesn't create to convey an image or idea: he does it just for the sake of cutting/digging/planting in it's own right. And that I think might be the most profound thing I've heard in a long time (I know, it sounds silly but that's what I think).
I must admit I think I might be a fan of this guy. He's freakin' awesome.
Also, I like his new terms and made-up words, like Protocolic - "The discomfort that ensues from excessive politeness."
FINALLY, someone found a word for that...


Project notes!
For my project scoping out, I went off the trail in Reedy Creek Park, mostly because I didn't give a rats ass about the nice trails and manicured foliage; I REALLY wanted to see the creek as it was!
Turns out I didn't have to look far at all.
Just out of sight near a trail (I can't believe no one ever looked down there, it's beautiful) the creek goes down a small waterfall of rocks, making a beautiful noise with the splashing water andvarious wildlife nearby. And just a little bit downstream of that is a Big Ol' Rock! What makes this rock so great is that being so big and old and rock-like, it is a perfect perch to sit on as it overlooks the creek, and the sight is just so beautiful. Further down the creek I found another area I loved - because it was ABSOLUTELY SILENT. So I thought I might try to create just a tiny bit of peace other people might be able to enjoy. I plan on using natural rocks from the stream to create an almost sculptural aspect to that waterfall, and downstream of it, up to the BOR (big ol rock) I plan on moving all of the stones out of way of the current, or laying them down a little bit flatter. The goal is to avoid disturbing the flow of the current, while creating an area of stream that is as silent and peaceful as possible! I have already enlisted the aid of one of my larger, more muscled pals to assist me with his prodigious skills at moving large rocks.