Weave. Unravel. Burn. Engrave. Lift.
Horsehair, denim, parchment, wood.
Here is material, here a task.
Each focal point becomes a counterbalance
to the surrounding immensity.
Who are these people at these tasks?
They are attendants.
What are they doing?
They are present.
In what? I ask and no response.
In their work.
Why, though?
Because it is theirs to do,
because they are with it.
***
Inspired by some of the installations of Ann Hamilton, featuring attendants engaged in simple, repetitive tasks, which the artist sees as representative of the presence required of art.
As the entire accounting department for a 45 employee nonprofit, part of my job is mindless data entry. For a while I dreaded work like that. Now I find it relaxing. A chance to turn off my mind and just be.
I have learned to appreciate things like this more and more: dishes, laundry, even the commute. I feel your appreciation for getting a chance to turn off the mind, Jeff : )
Beautiful and refreshing.