Sculpture in the South
May 17, 2009 – 9:57 am
One of the benefits of being in Real Estate is that my job forces me to go places I wouldn’t normally visit. Yesterday, after showing property in Summerville, I ventured back down Main Street and landed right in the middle of Sculpture in the South, an annual art event featuring exquisite sculptors from all over the country.
Wandering around I was struck by the beauty and distinction of each artist’s style. Some played it safe, copying the masters or creating classic, sellable pieces that any good citizen would display in their homes and gardens. Others stretched back in time, recreating age-old spiritual pieces from Celtic, Native American and Eskimo traditions.
A few jumped right out of the box and into the ether, playing with the twists and turns of movement and sound, a fun adventure. But my favorites were the stone abstractionists. Transcending exact representation, these daredevils took a journey inward, to the center of the soul, past logic, past linear thinking or rationalization. Each piece was named for a state of being.
There before me stood Regret, Grief, Exhilaration and What if. Yet, despite their cold, raw distortion each invited the warm touch of recognition. I visited each as if sampling God’s buffet of choices, then took my leave to sit and observe the masses. Staring from a safe distance through my lens, I watched as strangers journeyed passed the figurative invitations. Although a few paused, momentarily drawn forward and inward, most remained content in the safety of their corporeal limitations. Save for the children.
Ah, the children: touching, reaching, questioning, smiling. Twisting their faces in curiosity, I laughed as they allowed themselves the full measure of emotional response. What a joy to behold. Such lack of fear. Reprised only by the cautious control of parental chaperones. Sadly, just as the enchantment unfolded, a “wise elder” removed little fingers from the emotional exercise, back into the safety of pockets or redirected to sweet diversions.
And then it happened. Two wonderful parents gave three little girls full permission to explore.
Dancing and climbing along the wall of bronze playmates, each child sought out a statue of equal measure. I watched in awe as they stretched their petite bodies across the backs of their companions. One loved an inanimate dog as another relished the opportunity of actually touching an eyeball, or hugging a stranger. They screamed with delight upon discovering that the tiniest among them was actually taller than something. Mom and Dad kept a watchful yet liberating eye upon their fold. For a brief moment, I was captivated by the example they set of what it really meant to be a parent, safely watching out while allowing the full freedom of discovery.
What joy. If you get a chance, go see the exhibit today from 10 – 5 on Main Street in Summerville. $5.00 per person, children free. If you cannot make it, do visit their website, http://www.sculptureinthesouth.com/
Happy day.
2 Responses to “Sculpture in the South”
Trish, you struck a nerve with this post. It’s so true that children need to explore and often it is through tactile means that they learn so much!
Lynn
By Lynn on May 18, 2009
Trish..I so enjoyed your visit to “art in the park.” I wanted to go but prior commitments would not allow..However, I did send several parents the info I copied from newspaper ads and hopefully they did take their children. I used to take our boys all over Chicago for special things such as this,..plus inside and outside museums, parks, the beaches on Lake Michigan, etc..Children know how to live. If we have forgotten, we need to watch them. That darling little girl in pink top with very feminine touch to her hair as she leaned backwards to the statue..touched me deeply. Se reminded me of our Gracie..seven years old..one of our great granddaughters that does truly understands to be involved with life..not just sit and watch as so many have been trained to do because of hours of tv watching. Thanks again Trish. Luv, geny
By geny on May 24, 2009