The Ten Days of Carpmas

Yes, this was written by a bot… with some input by me (and some rather famous poets).

Whilst on my recent journey to New York City, my husband and I had the privilege of visiting many great art institutions, one of which owns and displays a famous Hokusai print.

I’m a great proponent for the encouragement of seeing famous works of art in person, as prints in books and poster copies can’t possibly capture the energy of the real thing. I was proven correct in my theorem once more; how many times have we viewed this print and obviously missed its reference to Carpmas.

How was I oblivious to these tiny fancy carp in the past? Especially when their depicted struggle against the tide is so poignant… so symbolic…  ?

Yes, yes… I’m well aware that carp are fresh water fish.

We are a little lacking in the contributions to CarpArt Day this year. This piece was stolen from another blog.

(GASP! – oh… wait… that’s from my other blog… that’s okay)

CHARMAINE WARNE (1971- ) "Earth Idea Net", 2010, - wire, napkins

In the sculpture entitled Earth Idea Net, Warne explores the action of trapping art conceptions in a rudimentary mesh-like mechanism. Each individual conception is represented by a understated paper dinner napkin on which diagrams, visualisations, and machinations were applied by various means; collage, pencil sketches, staining. Each and very paper idea was a contribution by a unique personage holding a quotidian connection to the artist but given little instruction to the expectations of the art piece or the information to be conveyed by the given napkin – keeping the conception pure. Conceptions were volunteered without query, and the conveyed elation felt by the artist is indisputably passed onto the gallery viewer.

Warne’s choice in materials is perplexing. Is the wire meant to mimic net? Is it an allusion to a pop culture reference connecting chicken and tuna? Does it’s seemingly random placement on the gallery floor reference refuse – a disposal of  fleeting ideas caught in someone else’s detritus?

The artist had this to say about her piece, offering some clarity/insight:

“I asked my co-workers to doodle some fish and potatoes. They didn’t ask why. They just did it. I work with some zany (trusting) people.“

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Here are close-ups of my zany team’s art work.

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L to R, Top to bottom: Bex, Lee1, Lee2, Mike, Cory, Becky, Katie1, Katie2, Conrad, Bonnie, Kelly, Kelsey, Megan, Ruth, Oscar, Linda, and Charmaine

Carp Art submitted by (or stolen from… depending on your point of view) friends Jason and Capri. This painting was an antique market find only few weeks ago… Carpmas KISMET!

Visit Jason’s Flickr site while you’re at it (I’m a big fan).

Carp Art Piece #2

A work of… art…  from my husband Tom, entitled:

I Love Those Little Carpmas Oranges