GLOW IN THE PARK-- AFTER TWO WEEKS OF STRESSING about my film installation for Glow in the Park, Escondido, the entire event sparkled with majick beneath a full moon the color of a peach!
Howie, my son, and Greg, my hubby, produced and built the final design of the screen, which turned out to resemble a sail caught in a spiderweb! How artistic is THAT (?!). Glowing mason jar lanterns framed the "sail" as our moving image video poems flitted across it!!!
The lanterns were painted w/glow paint, & lit from the inside with tiny colored led lights and glow sticks. After sunset, they began to glow like jars of captured incandescence!
WITH THE UNIQUELY-RIGGED screen & jelly jar lanterns, mine was surely the lowest tech installation of the entire event. I had been worried about that beforehand, but after seeing the result, decided that low tech was not a bad thing, nor was it even relevant to the purpose of the overall event.
AS PEOPLE BEGAN TO GATHER in front of the screen, their faces lifted to the play of light and shadow before them, they seemed transfixed. Pianta, Yulia & I (the progenitors of MAE) stood among them, watching ourselves move on the surface of the sail/spiderweb, remembering the road the 3 of us have traveled together for lo! these past years. At the same time, the dark figures gathered in the silence seemed a Greek chorus, their regard ancient as when they observed and commented on the dramas of the ancient gods, goddesses and mortals thousands of years ago.
FROM THIS NIGHT'S EXPERIENCE I HAVE LEARNED to be more open to success. To have more faith in my Muse. I have learned that my process is to forget much until the last minute & then remember it all-- and in this regard, not to be persuaded by those who say, "Forget it, c'mon, we have to go!" Next time I WILL take the time to get my camera, my lawn chairs, my water-- preferably before time to go, but even if I only remember at the last minute!!The support from my family was also amazing... from Greg, to my son & daughter in law, Howie & Emily; daughter Shanna; grandkids Maelee & Maxx; and my daughter, Jessie, added a huge specialness to the occasion.
A special thanks to Jessie and her friend, Jasmine, who went the distance until 11:00 pm closing and helped tear down and "strike the set." They have that special stamina of youth. Hugs to them both!
ADDITIONAL GRATITUDE to all those who saw the films that night and spoke such kind words about them; to Yulia and Pianta for sharing the adventure; and to all those who have ever moved WITH MAE, as well as those who have ever BEEN moved BY MAE.
Much love to ALL!!
--Gwyn
