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A Place to Hang!

2/14/2015

The first completed rectangle box.
The size is 14 X 14 X 22 inches high.

Below you see the process as I tipped over the top piece you see in the background left photo. I moistened the connecting points with clay slip and then the big moment came. I lifted the top piece and set it on top of the bottom one, adjusting the legs to join up smoothly.

Following that I used clamps and wooden slats along the sides to hold all in place and keep everything straight. I let that be for a while as the piece continued to dry.

Then two days later, I removed these clamps and you see the results in the top photo. Now it will dry as I continue to work on the disco ball of eyes that will hang in the center.

“Neither dead nor alive, the hostage
is suspended by an incalculable outcome."
- Jean Baudrillard

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See What They See!

2/7/2015

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“I like seeing people when they can't see me.”
― Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle

Hey, are you being suspected of doing something you did not do? Is someone watching you? Checking up on you? Seemingly kind of even showing up at places where you have never ever seen them before?

What are they seeing? Where are they looking? Makes you think about getting keys for your doors, drawers, filing cabinets....?

Well, this is what this piece is all about. In the last blog, I wrote about creating "the ball!" Well, here it is with the first of the eyes that will be covering the whole thing. I know, they look kind of crude now but it's wet clay and they will become smoothed out as they continue to dry.

At first they were only balls with irises, and looked kind of incomplete and boring. So I made these eye-lids over them and they have come to life. What a surprise! I'm fascinated with this as it seems that no matter what "curve" I make, it communicates an attitude or mood! We as humans must be so used to "reading" each other's moods via the eyes that no curve it seems is without meaning. Tells you how important the eyes are in communicating what people are feeling. For example lovers looking into each other eyes are reading, reading, reading....! OUHHHH, so sweet!

I believe I've mentioned these eyes before explaining how they will have mirrors placed on the irises, then this ball with all these eyes will be hung like a rotating disco ball inside the box "not yet assembled box" you see below.

This box in the photo above is in two pieces for now. The portion at the front of the photo is the "upside down" top of the box. The piece you see in the back is the bottom which here is "right side up". When the two pieces are dry enough I will lift this front top half up, turn it over and place it on the top of the back piece. Hope the corner "legs" will match eh? The legs sticking up are covered with wet paper towel so that when it's put together they will stick to make the rectangle complete.

This box will house the rotating disco ball of eyes! It will hang from the top in the very center of the box. A spotlight will shine onto this turning disco ball of eyes and moving beams of light will be reflected all over the room. I cannot wait to see it.

This piece is a reminder of how those suspicious eyes would be searching to see what you are up too. Normally, we cannot see were or what exactly they are looking at but here you will be able to tell by the beams reflecting off the eyes going into the room, onto the walls, and whoever or whatever is in the room. I feel a sense of satisfaction already!

"He will see most without who has the best eyes within;
and he who only sees with his bodily organs
sees but the surface."
- Henry Ward Beecher

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Cliff's Creations...

Hi, my name is Cliff, welcome to my website where I share my life as an art teacher, ceramic artist, photographer, father, businessman, leader and disciple. Basically I'm just trying to keep up with an exciting creative life. Thank you for coming along for the ride. You know, that your reading my blogs will make me a better artist so thank you in advance.
Later, Cliff

A Place to Hang!

See What They See!

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