From May Pole to Building: Walking In Love

The journey from a fundraising party to a vision made real has consumed me this last month. I never knew time could expand to the point where each day was so full it could feel like a week! May 1st we played with our friends. May 18- 23 we worked together. So many people to make this art installation happen, to make the panels, to raise the funds, to build the structure, to ship it across the country. People I am now deeply in love with. People who show up in so many ways. Provision that comes from some places I did not know existed. As I work on this project I begin to learn that walking in love is a way to be in relationship to life. All of life. From the mundane to the complex. This project has challenged me at every level of my being. When I saw what we created TOGETHER, what it is possible to create together with all of our gifts, talents, flaws and quirks, I walked the spiral in amazement and gratitude that such beauty is possible. I hope, if you are able to, you will join us making in the Walking In Love Installation grow and travel. I send enormous thanks to all who are part of this. We can be so proud of ourselves.

Prototype Walking In Love room build a success

Have you ever been full to the point of overflowing and exhausted to the point of collapse at the same time? The last five days have been such an amazing journey. The Hyampom Prototype Walking In Love Installation room build was completed on sunday morning at around 11:30 AM. The first person to walk through was a nearly blind man who reports that he could feel tremendous peace and a light headedness.

I am in awe at the generosity of so many who worked so hard for the last five days to make this happen. I know people want to see this process on the blog and I will begin to get the photos onto this blog to show you. As some of you know it takes time to go through photos, select the best ones, manage the image size and resolution and then post them. Today, however, I must return to the Hyampom Community Hall and begin to take down the show that lasted only one day. Tomorrow the hall will be in use for the weekly "Food for Folks" meal and we need to be out of there by the end of today.

The room is gorgeous. It has exceeded any expectations I have had about how this project would turn out. While there is still much to figure out before we ship this out in two weeks, I am confident the finished project will be a jewel that everyone can be proud of. I am grateful for all the support that continues to pour in from so many to make the Walking In Love Installation a beautiful process. Thank you.

Building In Love

It is very exciting to begin to build our very own room for the Walking In Love Installation in Hyampom, California. This can be seen for two days only May 21 and May 22, 2011 at our sweet Community Hall. In the middle of the wilderness, from the middle of nowhere, emerges this beautiful three dimensional art installation. I was asked recently what an art installation is. One definition: Installation art describes an artistic genre of site-specific, three-dimensional works designed to transform the perception of a space.


How does Walking In Love Installation transform the perception of a space? A good question. I suspect the answer is that it is different for every person that visits the installation. How can an art piece be universal? It's the eye of the beholder thing. 


I have also been asked recently about my own beliefs around love. I was actually surprised by the question. Maybe it was the way the question was put to me. Something about a yes or no answer in which neither answer was really satisfactory. I think there was a question behind the question but there was not opportunity to have a conversation. I mean, can a conversation about love be handled by one yes or no question? I didn't think so.


When I was asked the question I felt like the person asking it was using my answer about love in order to categorize the entire Walking In Love Installation. After thinking about the question (which I am deliberately leaving out of this blog), I have decided that my thoughts about love are only mine. They do not reflect that of the other artists who are participating in this installation. I do not require anyone to hold the concept/feeling of love in the same way I do. How could I? Mine is only one tiny speck of all that is possible.


I have been slowly giving room to all of the artists who have participated in the Walking In Love Installation so far. They write their statements and I print them with permission. Their statements reflect their views. When I print my statement that will represent my views. The Installation, well, my hope is that the Walking In Love Installation will change the perception of the space it is in and that space will be transformed by all of the concepts/feelings of love that went in to the panels by the collective group of artists who have participated so far.


The Installation continues to grow, to expand, to be open to more panels and to your financial support. Traveling an art installation does take a bit in the way of shipping costs. I am so pleased to announce that the costs of building the room have been paid for by the generous contributions of my itty bitty adopted home town of Hyampom and by very generous people within this close knit supportive community of Trinity County California. There are also those other wonderful people from all over who have lent their help...so we are a go! This Installation is being birthed in the next three days and then we will travel it to Herndon, Virginia outside Washington DC for it's first debut outside of Trinity County at Sacred Threads.


MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING THIS HAPPEN!!!

Walking In Love Family Fun Day a Success!

I am thoroughly spent. I am spent in the very good work of putting on a fundraising event for the Walking In Love Installation. This event went so far beyond all I could imagine. The incredible good people who showed up in the dozens to help set up and prep for the party, the wonderful community who came to play petanque, jump around the deliciously fun cake walk, sunlit pastel ribbons flying in the fresh spring air of a May Pole dance, eating Patsy's fried chicken and spring salad greens, enjoying the happy music of James, Serena, Jacob and Sha'om all in the serenity of a lovely place...I am so very grateful for the beautiful connections and creative healthy play we participated in. I am pleased to say that we raised one tenth of the funding we need to travel the show to Sacred Threads. I call our event successful because it was rich and full and fun! Smile filled faces and generous people are sending this Walking In Love Installation to Sacred Threads. This is something to be very proud of. I am proud of all of us who are making this happen! Thank You!

If anyone is interested in budget the board of directors of Walking In Love Installation can make this info available by request. If anyone is interested in donating to our construction and shipping costs please look at the DONATE page to the right. Thank You!

May Day Celebration Today

I continue to be amazed at how much love and support pours in to the Walking In Love Installation. Today we have a Trinity County party day to play games, eat good homemade cake, and have a delightful home grown fundraiser to build our 'gallery room' and send the artwork of over thirty Trinity County (and beyond) artists to the Sacred Threads venue in Herdon, Virginia (outside Washington DC) June 22 until July 4th this summer.

I am deeply grateful for all of the wonderful people who have contributed to making the installation and this party an astonishing experience.

ASTONISHING!

If you are able to join us please do! We'll have a great time walking in love, cake, softball, Patsy's chicken dinner, croquet, music, and more. I'll post some pictures of the day. Thank you everyone for your love and art!