Late Summer Update

Lighting the Phoenix at WaterFire, Providence RI August 2010

Donna Dodson & Andy Moerlein

THE BURN!!!!

It has been a great summer, and the seeds sown continue to bear fruit. If you did not see WaterFire in Providence RI, there are two great videos available on line that will give you a taste of the Phoenix Donna Dodson and I created and burnt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXJIpIF2ryc is a short well made piece by Robert Jean. For a more edited version, complete with text, see artist Heather Park's video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoiQ8ZTuSeE&feature=related

My work in Woodstock Vermont was reviewed by Ceil Petrucelli in Southern Vermont Arts & Living Magazine http://www.vermontartsliving.com/inspired-by-nature My notes on the event follow:

This weekend Donna Dodson was the featured artist at Sculpture Fest and I presented a most ambitious piece: UPWELLING. The show and subsequent reception were professionally curated, installed and promoted by Charlet Davenport and her marvelous assistant and fellow artist Peter Davenport. This is a drop dead awesome party every year. This year was even better due to the fine weather. As we drove up I saw nine different state licence plates in the lot. Over 500 people came and went as the day progressed. This show has the feel of a Storm King or Decordova in casual dress. The "bring your picnic" theme makes a real event of this reception. The Davenport's landscape and the judiciously selected art create an atmosphere that is irresistible. People came, had fun, made interesting conversation, and left deposits to buy at least 7 of the pieces in the show!

UPWELLING was a delight to see again. When I first imagined it, my schedule was too full and the challenge of one more summer work was immense. I started with only the most basic of plans: a simple drawing, four rather large handmade stones and a pile of silver painted sticks. The work was improvisation within my familiar structures. I was eager to use the lush landscape - a dramatic hillside of SculptureFest - to my advantage. I am not usually so spontaneous in my work, but fitting the piece into my summer and composing it to respond to the site forced me to take unusual risks. As I battled to get this large work up, I was alternately delighted with my results and forced to rebuild and reconfigure. Even with a friend, Matthew Porat, tugging, lifting and assisting, I simply ran out of both daylight and materials in my first attempt to install. A second long work day concluded just as I tied the last saplings together. I drove away with a few hasty pictures and I was pretty sure I was thrilled with my results. Yesterday's visit reassured me that my confidence was well founded. If you can possibly see this work, please do. SculptureFest in Woodstock VT is an exceptional setting and I am excited that UPWELLING is a new direction within my vocabulary of landscape and structure.

Finally...
TWO SCULPTORS IN TWO DIMENSIONS, Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein, Prints, Drawings and Photographs, will be installed at the UNH School of Law Monday LABOR day (aptly named...!) with a reception Saturday October 9th 1-3pm. Please join us!