I was awakened this morning by the meowing of one of my cats. It was way early, but I was not sure how early. I received a new fitbit in the mail the day before, so I was able to check the time.
Before, going to sleep I set up notifications on my new device, so that when I was rudely awakened I saw that there was a message from a friend of mine who works in one of the local schools. We occasionally chat on Instagram just to say, "Hi." As well as to send inspiration or thoughtful images or video we see on the Insta (I think I am too old to say that, but I did anyway, plus, no doubt there is some other slang out that this is not even trending, but I digress).
The night prior, I had shared with her Jill Scott's version of the American National Anthem. She responded "Damn. Powerful words and a beautiful voice. Have you read 1619 Project or Caste yet? Both brilliant. Paradigm shifts for me."
I mentioned to her that I had read Caste and heard of Origin as a former colleague of mine had referenced them when I posted a photo of my Mulatto piece.
I started to explain the concept and the was sharing a couple of images of figurative pieces and stepping her through the subject matter. Then it hit me, work with the youth! I already worked out the major concept narrative of the NYSCA Individual Artist grant to expand on the idea. However, the challenge, sometimes, is how to engage the community. I need to work with the youth!
It would be perfect to engage in deep conversations and maybe inspire some young person to be curiously creative, to engage history, to be courageous.
Anywho, as I said, I had all these potential sprouts of inspiration coupled with technology, that at 3:15ish in the AM I saw I had a text message. Really, I was just trying to see the time, but because the message was blocking the numbers I had to see what it said. With blurry eyes I saw that it was from my friend who essentially said, "Maybe the art teacher and civics teacher. Send me your general idea in an email and I can forward it to them and cc you."
In order to see the full message though I had to go to Instagram on my phone. Of course, when it became clear, I got hyped. I had planned to go back to sleep, but you know what they say about plans, and also what they say about looking at your phone before you sleep?
Well, this was in my feed, which totally woke me up!
So, I did a quick Google search and found the poster. This needs to be part of the Papal Bull.
So, I fully got out of bed, let the dogs out and got to work. I created a word doc and placed some other images on the doc, printed what would become decals, moistened parts of the piece (since i let it get bone dry), and proceeded to transfer the images on to the clay. This included the Indian Land grab poster. Of course I made a little video of the process.
Woohoo, just a few more final touches before he is ready to be fired! @snoopdogg is right when he says in his Affirmation song, "There is no one better to be than myself Today is going to be an amazing day!"
Happy Wednesday, y'all!
#inspiration #papalbull #1493 #manifestdestiny #indianlandforsale #1911 #clayart #clayeveryday #ceramicarts #dehumanization
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