Proposal Title
Cuckoo!
Please describe your proposal?
I'm currently working on a series of nonworking cuckoo clocks that represent all 12 AM hours as they coincide with existence of life as we know it. The use of the cuckoo clock as a symbol in this series is purposeful and quietly paying homage to my German ancestry, and I believe it to be the most appropriate symbol to this theme, however this series is not my personal story. Each clock is mixed media, and utilizing completely different techniques from one another to represent stages of life.
For example, the series begins with "Schematic-Midnight". This is the beginning, and what I like to refer to as the "architect" of what's to come. I felt it most appropriate to make this clock appear as the most traditional, or what one would expect to see as an embodiment of a cuckoo clock. If I were to present to you a plan for your ideal life, home, or world, "Schematic-Midnight" would be that plan, complete with landscaping, people, and a clean-cut structure.
Next, is "Space and Time-1am", and this cuckoo represents the calm before the storm. In order to build, you must have a foundation, and "Space and Time-1am" is that foundation. its soft, undefined, sectioned off and loose.
Cuckoo three is "Conception-2am", and represents that spark of energy that is created when life is conceived. This is a sort of "Big Bang" of the series. This cuckoo uses materials of light, reflection, refraction, life potential, and the much debated theories of creationism and evolution to tell its story. The centerpiece of this cuckoo is a Cicada that died as it was emerging from its exoskeleton. "Conception-2am", is an energy skeleton for the soul of life itself.
The next cuckoo is "Nesting-3am", and like all life, its the preparatory phase and nurturing of life in its development stage. Naturally, nesting would use organic materials, and all elements to protect its "egg". The organic materials used for "Nesting-3am" all came from 4 different (and specifically chosen) gravesites at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus' westside. I am a believer in recycled energy, and the death of a physical body only marks the expiration of a vehicle for the soul. The people I chose in the cemetery are people who's life stories I know to varying degrees. This thorough use of symbolism of my materials for all of my work is consistent and very important to me. I could tell so much more about the materials themselves, but that's another story.
I have four clocks in total complete, thus far.
What is the timeframe for the proposal and its completion?
I'm aiming for to complete this series by the end of 2010, or at the latest, by Spring 2011. This plan includes a trip to Germany to collect some materials for particular cuckoo's. I'm currently working on learning the German language and concepts for the rest of this AM series.
How will you use the award money to complete the proposal?
I would use the award money to allow myself to dedicate more time to this project, and make my trip to Germany possible, as well as happen sooner.
What makes this the proposal to vote for?
I'm dedicated to this project either way. I'm learning so much about myself along with the development of each piece, and I feel a very real transformation happening in my work as an artist with this series. It feels important, if only to me. However, I've spoken about this series enough to feel there is a genuine interest in following through with its completion. I simply want to share it when it's done. And to complete it is going to take a lot of time, dedication, expanded knowledge of materials and techniques, and the inspiration that comes from knowing there is a supportive force behind me. Since none of these works are for sale until all are done and represented in an appropriate forum, I would really make proper use of and deeply appreciate any monetary assistance I can get.
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