Tuesday, March 12, 2013

LAS CRUCES - "Master Composer" & "Three"


LAS CRUCES: "Master Composer"  and  "Three"
It all started about 2 years ago. I went to visit my friend Marie, and I noticed a wall of crosses in the entry to her home. I took these crummy pictures with a cell phone, but it's enough for you to see what I mean.


I found the rustic nature of these images of faith compelling.  I loved their easy nature and relaxed sense. I knew I wanted to start working on a series of "crucifixes". So a few months later, I began work on 3 very rustic pieces made from scrap wood, rusty bottle caps and various other found objects.
Soon, other more pressing 'life' things got in the way, and the 'series' was set aside. 

This past January, we were in Seattle visiting friends. One day, while driving around looking for thrift stores, we came a cross an electric organ, tossed on the side of the street . . . well, needless to say, my adorable husband and I snapped to attention, and began 'dismantling' it.  I took the keys, and a few other parts, (that I cannot identify by name - below is a photo of the parts)

Anyway, this motivated me to return to the idea to make a series of assemblage crosses.
Here are the first two. 

"Master Composer" contains keys taken from the found electronic organ, set inside the lid of a wooden cigar box. The silver "Master" on top oversees the music. 2 sets of chop sticks frame the piece.

Piece number 2 is titled simply "Three".  The legs and arms are from the same found electric organ. (these are the parts I cannot ID - but they seem to work) The tiger beads on the hands are a bit of added whimsey. The number 3 is from a found Washington state license plate. A spoon face and silver wing hat mounted on a wooden cross form collaged in artist's tissues.


 These are the first 2. 
3 others are in process at the studio, the original 3 rustic ones are also in line to be finished . . . 
My plan is to make 10.

11 comments:

  1. Oh that is so cool Rebeca!. I can hardly wait to see all 10 on your wall. A blogger friend of mine also has crosses on her wall in the hallway and after seeing them, I too have been wanting to do that. Perhaps I won't make the myself but I'm going to the thrift shops to look around and garage sales to see what I can find. Your pieces are awesome! Love the keys.

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    1. thanks Gloria. these are so fun to make, and really the imagery is so universal, you really cannot go wrong. let me know what you come up with, i would love to see . . .

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  2. I love your whimsy and the way you make objects your own. I imagine finding an electric organ on the street and saying, "imagine that, what would anyone do with that?" And you imagine that and take it in a flash!

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    1. thank you Barbara.
      finding the electric organ was great fun. (these are the times i know i married the right guy . . . i think he enjoys the finds almost as much as i do.
      ha!

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  3. What a lucky find. You are blessed. I dumpster dive a lot, but have never found anything that impressive. Those assemblages are truly coming to fruition in your hands and the organ. I love both these. Can't wait to see more.

    BTW, I had to visit through my translator in order to leave a comment.

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    1. I know, lucky me! (iwould never have guessed you for a dumpster-dive . . . . but it is fun, isn't it?

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  4. une chapelle portable. .musique compris! :)

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    1. c'est vrai, juin chapelle portative!
      la musique est gratuit!
      très intelligent!

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  5. wow...an organ on the side of the road! and I love that you cannabalized it right there! a great start to an interesting project - will you post all ten when you are done?
    and next time you are in Seattle...I can let in on where some good thrift stores are...!

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    1. Amy sometimes, i just can't help myself!

      yes i will be posting crosses as i finish them . ..
      thanks for stopping.

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