Sunday, May 13, 2007

A Word from Mom

Wow, this is really happening. When this concept was first floated it seemed like an awesome idea, something cool that we could do as a family. Despite Nigel's assertion that we are not at all artistic, some of us think of ourselves as pretty creative. Personally I have no problems with execution it's initial ideas where I choke. To have a list of 63 interesting things to choose from and have the challenge be to make them "our own" is like a walk through a really cool park where I get to plant and pick the flowers.

And there are more challenges than just the 63. Because our art will be real and so must last and eventually be on display and not only viewed on the web, we have creative possibilities with display and use of space and even possible performance or interactive art. These are things we are keeping in mind as we traverse the path of 63 assignments.

After the initial meetings and a few clarifying conversations with Miranda, Bob, and Avery we were ready to go. Nigel, as Project Manager has already proven his worth. We've provided ideas for exection, each signed up for some of the items that appeal to us personally, and this weekend the journey began.

The entire family (less Pete, who's on his class trip) went downtown yesterday and accomplished 2 tasks. Mary and I did another over the course of yesterday and today. Nigel and Michael got together to fabricate one yesterday that none of us was really qualified to accomplish. Tonight I will begin a couple more. Some are very exciting, some are much more thoughtful. Others are have such detailed instructions that we are challenged to creatively execute them - an exciting prospect in itself. There are even some, you will find, that we will all execute individually and then collectively display to see how they turn out. These are the ones that entice me most of all.

But as with many things that I believe in, this too is about the journey as much as it is about the results. At first glance, Learning to Love You More seems a stretch as a name for many of the things it tasks us to do, though others quite obviously lead in that direction. But having begun the process, I find myself already learning to love more those that I already do. To accomplish this as a family means a level of communication, cooperation, collaboration and working together that we've had no cause to previously accomplish on a regular basis. I'm thrilled to be along for this ride!

2 comments:

said...

Hello Oliver Family,
How is everyone? I hope everything is well in Seattle. Sorry, it's been too long since I've talked to everyone. I hope Pete, Syd and Mary are all enjoying school. That's about all I've been doing lately, that and looking at what I want to to after school. Not much else has changed round here. I think that this project that you are all doing is great, and I look forward to seeing what you all create. Hopefully I can come out and see everyone and your art. Send me an e-mail sometime (Nigel has the address).

-John

Anonymous said...

You write very well.