From The Ryan James Gallery Facebook Page:
Sacred Shadow Self Meditation as Art performance
It has been an amazing month. Thank you so much for all your support!
(It’s my birthday party!!)
2206A California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 849-7222
create@mindunwind.org
Without you, it wouldn’t have been possible. I needed help watching my son so I could prepare, help with installing the wall sized pieces, help filling the gallery with amazing artwork, help with photo copying, help with performances and taking photos and videos during the performances and help to stay awake at work! The magnitude of help I needed strikes me at how this kind of installation is more of a community event and how much more powerful and encompassing this exhibit has been. In a way, that level of participation is also reflective of the meaning behind the installation. The Sacredness that comes from the original source that brings us all back to our collective origins is the same sacredness that is manifested in our precious SELF. Thank you.
When Karah Pino first asked me to be part of The Sacred Shadow Self I was hesitant to say yes because I am in a “non-performance state”, a state of creative development, and quiet reflection.
My Mother almost passed away three times in the last several months and I had been doing a lot of advanced grieving, introspection and forgiveness work during that time and to be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed by my own shadow self and all I wanted to do was escape into the lighter side of things.
I knew I would ultimately say yes though because Karah is a spiritual sister and when she appears in my life there is always a positive lesson attached.
So yes. I will be there, with my veil on, I will be there, hidden amongst the crowd and yet obvious to the eyes of anyone who is present. I will be a shadow of my self, a ghost of sorts, a fraction of who I am. I am not entirely sure what I will be doing but maybe I will see you through the veil. And maybe you will see me.
Mind Unwind Gallery
2206A California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 849-7222
There was not space enough in my studio to put the piece together, so I couldn’t make the final cuts and folds until we had it in the gallery. I couldn’t have done it without the assistance of their loving hands!
Having the addition of their presentation and origami contribution enriches the exhibit and extends it beyond my own capacity. The Origami Seascape emphasizes the intention behind The Sacred Shadow Self to encourage viewers to reach deeper into themselves and remember the excitement and impassioned investigation that is inspired by the instigating sparks of our own passions. It seems all to easy to forget that vital force of life in our busy lives.
Remembering and sharing that excitement is what I see as my job an an artist. I feel very lucky and honored to be sharing this time and space with two brilliant young artists also inspired by origami! Bringing together their contributions into the same wall was magical. Enjoy!
Cole Durnwirth is a 9 year old origami artist from West Seattle. He started folding at age 5 after he saw the documentary Between the Folds. For this exhibit he has contributed “Albatross II” a life-sized 11 ½ foot long origami Albatross folded from one sheet of paper. A practice sketch is also hanging.
Media: Art paper. Classic Origami Construction from a single sheet
Caroline Byrne lives in Seattle, is 9 years old and is in the 3rd grade. She first became interested in origami in preschool when they made paper hats and fortune tellers. Then in Kindergarten she was inspired by the 1,000 paper cranes project that the 3rd creates each year. That Christmas she asked for origami paper and Santa delivered. Caroline has been experimenting with origami ever since. Her favorite thing about origami is seeing a flat piece of paper turn into a piece of art. Her contribution to this installation are sea anemones. This origami is her own creation and was inspired by origami chrysanthemums. Caroline also loves experimenting with many different types of materials to create unique works of art. She hopes to be an artist when she grows up.
Media: Art paper. Modular Origami Construction with 10, 8 and 6 interlocking sheets.
Karah Pino became interested in origami in the 4th grade when she learned to make boxes at school. That Christmas she and her family did a factory line, making 100’s of boxes out of old Christmas cards. After graduating art school in 1998, she began to teach Origami as part of an after school program and was challenged by the excitement of the kids to learn more to teach them. Her love of origami comes from her enjoyment of mathematics, geometry and engineering expressed in art. Her contribution to the Origami Wall is a free formed Cloud Maker which produces a cloud shape in its shadow.
You are invited to appreciate the Origami Seascape through the entire month of June at Mind Unwind Gallery in West Seattle. Meet the Origami Artists during Artwalk on June 13th from 5-7pm during the Youth Origami Invitational.
I looked at many different shapes, these are just a few I chose to consider for this mandala.
Mandala Test Shapes
Mandala Three Layers
Detail:
Mandala Detail
Rainbow Mandala Wall and Performance Area
Paper breaks Scissors
I upgraded to new fancy titanium blades with molded handle scissors at Utrecht Art Supplies and found out they’ve been bought by Blick. Hmmmm…
I’m still working on my “SELF”
Down to the wire, now, my friends. I’m curious to see if I’ll pull this all off. 🙂
