MP 4|26|13
KH 4|8|13
*Numbers = date made; letters = initials of the first recipient; code’s printed somewhere on each kaleidoscope
I’ve been reading The Gift by Lewis Hyde. For those of y’all who haven’t read it, it starts out reflecting on how capitalism urges us to keep and hoard gifts, but a gift that stays in motion by being re-given takes on a life of it’s own, creating bonds of trust and well-being among communities. I started reading it right when I decided not to sell these kaleidoscopes, and it really inspired me. So, I’ve been giving them away with the intention that they be re-given.
So far, they’ve been going out to my comrades in madness, because their qualities (of light / patterns / color) seem to help me with mine. I’m hoping they can be a token of support through times of lunacy, loss, or rebirth (and a reminder that on the other side of lunacy is brilliance). Then, when the hard times ebb, the kaleidoscope can be passed on to someone else who’s burdened with the ‘Tock’ of ‘Tick’s’ gift of creativity.
If anyone has any ideas about how to keep track of the kaleidoscope’s journeys, please let me know; I think that’d be really cool.
Here are the first three (numbers = date made; letters = initials of the first recipient).
AP 4 |8|13
KB 4|13|13
AA 4|8|13
In subverting the rock venue / art gallery norm, Norma and I (Norm), have embarked on a project series of “experiences.” The experiences will include guerilla street art, punk shows in weird (public) places, and collaborative “happenings” that encourage folx to question the norm of how art /music is seen and heard. We’re using it as a chance to be creative about ways we share our explorations of avenues and mediums that are unfamiliar to us (like linolium print making! –make sure you carve words BACKWARDS so that they print FORWARDS) . 
We’re not on social media, but you can send us snail mail (406 N Queen Street, Durham 27701), and we’ll put you on our snail-mailing list. Our first “experience,” The Cicada Table, happened last weekend, and was awesome. There were cicada sounds, info zines, Nag Chamba, and a shit-ton of art.
Here’s a couple lamps and books n stuff.
I told my boyfriend his bday present might be like a year late cuz I was looking for something that might or might not cross my path (we both love cicadas, so I was hoping to find wings for his kaleidoscope). I was helping a friend move the next day, and found one under his air conditioner, so I was able to finish it in time for Kyle’s bday. It also has soda can tabs, a praying-mantis slide, and sea glass. The body is a blue glass bottle.
This wheel was made using glass, slides, an hour-glass, and a pill bottle. The slides are of office cubicles and things in them.
In Progress:
I’ve been building kaleidoscopes. I’ve never embarked on such an introverted and tedious adventure, and it’s given me a lot of time to reflect (no pun intended). I love the way that the little machines take something as simple as some colored glass, and turn it into a spectacular feat, just by repeating it a pattern. I’ve been thinking a lot about how a different perspective on something can offer us new appreciation for it, and the patience to be present with it instead of trying to change it.
This one is made out of a turtle bone I found on the flint river with Uncle Vic; a part of a big thread spool; and some sea-glass that Luis and I found on an over-cast day at Stinson beach, north of SF.
Here are a couple made with scrap glass for the wheels and bodies.
This one is another sea-glass one, made with some copper plated hanger wire. It embodies the only red sea-glass I’ve ever seen; I’d hunted for a red piece throughout my entire four-year stint in SF, and never found any. A few years ago Luis sent a cigarette cellophane filled with three tiny pieces he’d found when he was surfing.
Winter work on the hillbilly chateaux :: I’ve decided to abandon the notion of “Before and After.” This project has proven to be a continuum, and there’s really just a “Next.” (I think I’m just frustrated that I don’t have any real “before” pictures, as I had no idea I’d ever put this much work into an old garage that was leaning on the neighbor’s shed for support). When I got home from our last tour, I started in on this stage: rebuilding the shelves, sanding / staining floors, painting, refurbishing some windows and installing one (actually a horizontal door) where the wall was. But not without Don Henley.
you gotta build a wall to take one out….
Oh and OK by the way I found a picture from the last “next” stage (formerly known as “before), and naturally I will compare it to the current “next stage.”
It’s good to start over.
I just realized I forgot to post Vittles’ Cafe Sense when it screened at Full Frame a couple months ago. I had a really amazo time doing the illustrations for the stop animation with DL Anderson (what could be better than endless coffee beans, art supplies, and the company of DLA????)
