If you want to know more about the poetess Vittoria Aganoor Pompilj who inspired the “Garden of Poetry” art show in the villa where she lived 100 years ago, take a look here.
Sneak peek into my studio
Well, I hadn´t done this before. But to explain it I need to tell you a little how I work.
See, when I create sculptures I have different approaches.
When I have a commission it is fairly clear.
One of my clients wants to have something. We talk about it in detail to make sure I (and they) have really understood, what they want. I make it (Okay it is a little more challenging as I make it sound here, but you get the idea).
When I do “free” sculptures, things are different.
Often I see a piece of stone and have an idea what to do with it.
Sometimes it works out fine and I get into the working flow, that makes me finish the sculpture in one rush (The rush can last several days until the sculpture is finished. Yet basically I know always what I do and how to proceed.).
But often I recognise after a while that things don´t work out the way I thought.
In consequence I put the half finished piece aside and let it collect dust in my studio (And I have lots of dust in there:-)
Preparing the art show for the Villa Aganoor Pompilj where I had to create sculptures for an entire garden some of these pieces suddenly fitted into the concept like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
Of course I had to finish them mostly differently than the way I had intended to do in the beginning. But now I got into the work flow.
When I work on a sculpture I give it a name, a work title if you want to call it this way.
Of course these work titles refer to something I see in the stone.
To give you an example.
For the “Wings of Sunset” the name was very clear from the beginning. Later I changed the title of the poem to “wings” but the original title is still in the poem.
As a matter of fact from the very moment the sculpture has a title it creates an image in the brain of the viewer. Happened also to me.
Working on the sculpture I tried to get always closer to that image.
Consequently the image got stronger, I started to see things more in detail, just like a little movie. The glaring sunlight, the golden reflections on the waves, the dark indigo grey water when the sun has settled behind the horizon…And then I started to describe it, trying to evoke in few words the image in my brain.
“Lost poems”, still unfinished, in my studio, though at that moment I knew already how to proceed…
It was similar with the “Lost poems”. I had a peace of marble that resembled antique scrolls (Just in my phantasy, somebody else might have seen something completely different)
While I worked on them my brain was all about, “What could have happened to them? What could happen to them in future? Which stories can they tell us”.
And so it went on. I did get into a flow not only of chiseling, cutting, polishing stone but also doing the same to the words and images in my brain.
Vice versa the sudden focus on the words, the poems made me look at the stones differently, made me see things I hadn´t perceived before, thus changing also the images.
There is one difference between words and stones. Once you have carved away something from the stone it is gone. Words you can ad or take away every way you want.
Though while creating my poems I found that it was usually better to “carve” away some more words.
Garden of Poetry, Jungle of our thoughts
Another transition I am exploring, is the change from the world of minerals to the world of plants. From the seemingly unmovable, inalterable like stone to the permanently obviously changing, growing, decaying world of plants. The jungle is the prime example for this world. In my poem “Jungle of our thoughts” I use it as a metaphor for the inner world of our permanently changing, growing, hopefully not decaying thoughts.
Want to take a look at my crowdfunding campaign at Indiegogo?
You may ask yourself what happens if we don´t reach the goal for the funding. Is the money lost? Do I still get the perk I wanted?
Actually I have two answers.
Answer number one: I am convinced that we will reach the goal. There are still 44 days and I will certainly do everything to make it happen.
Answer number two: In the unlikely case that we do not reach the funding goal completely, with todays possibilities of printing I have the possibility to make a book for everyone who claimed it as a perk (inluding marble case made by myself if you choose that option). Of course I don´t aim for a tiny mini edition of the “Garden of Poetry” book, but nobody who contributes will be left without the perk they wanted.
It is also understood, that everyone who makes a smaller contribution (25 Dollar) will receive a hand-signed photograph with a poem.
And of course everybody who makes a real big contribution and wants to have a sculpting class in Italy with me will receive it.
Making a contribution to the “Garden of Poetry” artbook is easy…
Just go to my safe page at Indiegogo
Here you can decide how much you would like to contribute.
You can also see, which perks I am offering in return.
Of course you can as well make a contribution without asking a perk.
Yet this would be a pity. I think the perks I am offering are not so bad:-).
I appreciate very much your contribution to my artbook . Take a look what you will receive in return.
However, it´s up to you. You can choose.
Once you have chosen you click on “continue”.
You will receive then detailled informations how to proceed, according to your wishes.
You can make safe payments with your credit card or with PayPal.
So don´t hesitate. Go to my page and take a look. Your support is very appreciated.
Fundraising for my artbook more information
“Garden of Poetry” The crowdfunding ship has set sails.
Finally the crowdfunding campaign for the “Garden of Poetry” artbook has started. Will you join me? I am excited and curious how it will work out.
If you who want to support my artbook “Giardino delle Poesie” , “Garden of Poetry.
Here a glimpse on my sculpture “The skin of the water”
Fuundraising on Indiegogo will start coming Sunday, July 14 at 12 noon, CEST (UTC+2)
I will make public my Indiegogo site where you can support the funding of the artbook.
Well, one reason and probably the most important is, that you are fond of art and like the idea of a well made book with sculptures and poems.
Another reason is that you receive something in return for your support. And no, it´s not just a virtual hug:-) Discover here all the things you can receive
Judge a book by its cover
You certainly know the saying “Don´t judge a book by its cover.”
But in this case I think you can.
I think my graphic designer did a really good job.
I wouldn´t dare to claim this. Yet I want to contribute to the beauty of the world and I am confident, my book will be a little contribution.
Honestly I was surprised about the positive and often very emotional feedback I received at the exhibition.
Of course many people don´t have the money to buy a sculpture but I would really like to give everybody at least the opportunity to take the exhibition home in a book.
As you certainly can imagine this is an ambitious aim.
Apart from the work it requires from my side, a fair amount of money is needed to produce this art book.
Actually I need $ 5000 for the layout and for printing a first edition.
So I am turning to you, trying to raise the money with your help.
To achieve this I will work together with the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.
Indiegogo makes it possible to transfer money easily via PayPal or credit card and at no cost for contributors. It makes the fundraising transparent and secure.
As a contributor (or even if you´re just curious) you can always follow and control the process of fundraising.
How does it work?
Once the fundraising campaign has started, go to my campaign page on the Indiegogo website (I will provide the link and further information as soon as the campaign can be seen publicly on the Indiegogo website.).
Here you can make a contribution via PayPal or credit card.
If you make a financial contribution, in return you will receive a reward, to thank you for your help.
Indiegogo calls these rewards perks.
There are different perks, according to the height of your contribution.
These are the perks you will receive from me.
1) Contribute to the book with 10 Dollars and receive a mentioning on the list of donators on the “Garden of Poetry” web page.
2) Contribute to the book with 25 Dollars or more and receive a photograph of a sculpture of your choice with a personal dedication and the poem that goes with it and a mentioning on the list of donators on the “Garden of Poetry” web page.
3) Early bird bonus: The first three contributors who make a contribution of 25 Dollars or more additionally will receive a copy of the book, with a personal dedication.
4) Contribute to the book with 100 Dollars or more and receive a copy of the book, with a personal dedication and a mentioning on the list of donators on the “Garden of Poetry” web page.
5) Early bird bonus: The first three contributors who make a contribution of 100 Dollars or more additionally will receive a copy of the book, in a beautiful hand made marble gift box made especially for this occasion.
5) Contribute to the book with 500 Dollars or more and receive your copy of the book, with a personal dedication and a mentioning on the list of donators on the “Garden of Poetry” web page.
Additionally your book will come in a beautiful hand made marble gift box made especially for this occasion.
6 ) Contribute to the book with 1470 Dollars and come to a one week sculpting class with Wolfgang Sandt in Italy.
Wolfgang Sandt shows to one of his students how to use stone masons tools.
Of course you receive also your copy of the book, with a personal dedication and a mentioning on the list of donators on the “Garden of Poetry” web page.
Yet I need and appreciate every help you are willing to give to make it happen.
So what can you do?
Spread the word.
Tell your friends about the project.
If you are on Facebook, Twitter, Squidoo, Linkedin, Myspace or any other social networks share it with the people you know there.
The more people hear about the project the better it is.