Intervention Art Project :Mod 3
The picture above is the location of the intervention before the installation. My simple art table sits in the corner with tool out available to use at a moments notice.
The goal of my intervention was to intervene on my personal balance. The duality of its use as a shrine to ancestors; while making it a present day offering station to invoke strength within myself tells a story of personal growth with help. Qualities of resilience reside within me, the use of the altar reminds me to acknowledge them.
That balance of past and present can be seen with the attention-grabbing back board with the message, “Black Lives Matter”. The height and visibility of the message parallel my visible race with a heartbreaking, deadly ping of repetition of history. The red triangle represent the blood spilled. Covid looms overhead. Life’s fragility is symbolized with the living plant. As easy as it is to kill a plant by accident, is to the ease of death from this virus. The vine rests on a used painting palette bringing present to past as painting is a stress release. I must remember the things that bring me joy.
This installment sits atop my art table. I left the area set-up for use with my paint shirt draped over a chair. I wanted the installment to be jarring in my organized space. The past draws me back in with the Bhagavad Gita, reminding me of my spiritual journey that began twelve years ago. The book sits closed, now I must ensure I have mastered what I’ve learned thus far. The book acts as a table for the ashtray with palo santo atop. Both items are gifts from my mother making the act of burning the palo santo one that brings me back to reality.
Costume jewelry, formerly owned by my great-grandmother, is draped across my water jar for painting tying the message together. A small book, given to me by an acquaintance, reminds me to think of others from my past and present. The ability to wear the jewelry, along with the smudging, allow me to engage with the space in two ways. The theme of combining personal iconographic items to balance the past and present, thus balancing my intentions and with personal reminders.
