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The Muse's Storage Box

The Muse's Storage Box
Copyright Diane Lou.

Alchemical Dreams and Disparate Realities

Rust and bones, broken toys and old text, game boards, gears and nests. Even as a child such odd, unwanted items evoked a pit-of-the-stomach response that bordered on exhilaration.
While I make no attempt to conjure up specific feelings in the viewer, the ambiguous juxtapositioning of familiar materials creates art that evokes half-forgotten, dream-like visions that beg to be interpreted by the viewer. There is a sense of deja vu (the already seen) tempered by a sense of jamais vu ( the never seen, or the illusion that the familiar does not seem familiar), and this contradiction asks the viewer to dig deeply, to look inside her own repository of wisdom, intuition and experience to find her own meaning in the familiar objects she sees.
The once-private discards of people's material lives that I collect for my art seem to carry universal memories with them, memories that can engage and mystify the viewer. Their beauty lies within the rust, the erosion, the wear, and the mere fact that they were once possessions.
I play with abandon and with no forethought. Each piece of detritus seems to suggest to me a relationship with some other piece, and I begin to put them together and wait for the mental "buzz" that lets me know I am proceeding as I should. Even at this point, I continue to remain in the play state and will not allow myself to direct the outcome of the piece, a process that requires complete trust. The outcome often mystifies me as much as it might any viewer.
Remember when, as a child, whatever was in reach became the instrument of your creative exploration? That is my life. A rusty, flattened piece of metal on the street, a gnawed bone by the roadside, a unique twisted branch from a tree, a fallen nest, a broken egg, a snake's skin, a dead butterfly...all will be added to my collection and eventually have their beauty honored in one of my pieces. The resulting art creates a new story with its own imagined history, one that invites the viewers to lay some claim on it by allowing themselves to be enveloped by the sight, the history, and the ambiguity of the realities before them.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Photo of free art...

Well, finally.  How the days do fly by!

I just took a photo of the piece that is up for grabs in the Free Art project.  It's entitled Tick, Tock and is about 14"x14", created on a old chess board.  There are chessmen, old photos, photobooth photos, vintage clock hands, and the rusted case from a plastic clock.

So, remember to post a comment to enter (or enter again) your name in the drawing to win.  You have until the last day of the month to post!  A name will be drawn February 1, and the piece will be shipped right out to you!

15 comments:

Teri said...

I like the way you have the chess pieces at the top. They remind me of sentries! Beatiful work!

Diane Lou said...

Thanks so much, Teri! Off to the hospital...Nils was diagnosed with pancreatitis last night so has a 3-5 stint with no food or water! Here's hoping for a very quick recovery.

Ruth Armitage said...

Hi Diane,
I just found your site via Jackie Gardener's blog :) I'd love to have a chance to win your beautiful assemblage. Hope the bout of pancreatitis is waning!!!

Feel free to visit my blog too: rutharmitage.com

Rebeca Trevino said...

is this where i sign up? this piece is terrific!
my best to Nils.

Diane Lou said...

This is it, Rebeca and your name goes in. Thanks for the good wishes for Nils. He's home and doing better.

Diane Lou said...

You're in, Ruth! Thanks so much for finding your way here. Yes, he's home and better. Thanks!

squidglass said...

It's always fun to see what you are making, and the fab things you have scored from "the bins." Please enter me in this cool contest.

Thanks,

Su

Diane Lou said...

Hi Su....In you go! Thanks for commenting and visiting my blog. It's countdown time now....
Diane

Pam McKnight said...

I am so glad I clicked on the link to your page from Rebeca's blog...Loved reading your intro at the top of the page, reminds me of myself :) and not only that it looks like I might get to win this wonderful piece of art!

Diane Lou said...

Hi Pam,
Thanks so much for finding me! And yes, your name will go in the drawing. Just a few more days to go!
There are sure a lot of us "upcyclers" out there, and it is always fun to find more kindred spirits.
Diane

Pollyfusia said...

Your things are so cool! I collect random objects, but never manage to put them together. You're an inspiration!

Diane Lou said...

Thank you! On my next post or two, I'll be showing pictures of all the things I found at "the bins". I was in Portland for 3 days and managed to spend at least an hour at the bins each day. Such a treasure hunt!
I've got your name in the drawing.

Rebeca Trevino said...

Diane-
what are "the bins"?

Red said...

I would be honored to own this fascinating assemblage. Left over bits and pieces reincarnated into a second life as art. Thank you.

Diane Lou said...

Your name is in the hat! Thank you for posting. Yes, I think it is perfect to turn the discards and broken bits of society into art!