Today I thought I might be photographing the Shooting Stars and Yellow Bells I saw on my walk yesterday but we have several inches of snow and a steady snow fall as I write.
My son, Kai Stein and I co-created this lamp as a donation for Living Art of Montana‘s upcoming fundraiser the Living Art Light Show on May 10, 2019 at 5 pm at the UC Ballroom (University of Montana, Missoula). I was a co-founder of this organization in 1993 and deeply value the mission to use the arts to support healing. The Light Show is one of the main ways the organization raises money to provide art workshops in their studio free of charge for people dealing with cancer, chronic illness and loss. The evening includes a dinner and a live and silent auction.
The lamp is 12″ wide and 4′ tall. It has light panels on three sides. It is primarily constructed from welded steel and laminated shoji paper. It could be a floor lamp or potentially a table lamp in the right context. One of my photographs is incorporated into the piece. The lamp will be in the live auction at the Living Art Light Show.
The title of the lamp, Life Lines, honors the intricate venation patterns in the leaf which I photographed in a small creek last fall. The lines remind me to see and celebrate the exquisite construction and purpose in the design of all life forms. This image and the overall design of the lamp reflects my appreciation of Japanese design and aesthetics, particularly the concept of Shibusa, described as the aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty.
“Shibusa” is an enriched, subdued appearance or experience of intrinsically fine quality with economy of form, line, and effort, producing a timeless tranquility. ”
I urge you to support Living Art of Montana any way you can. If you can’t make it to the event you can click here to see the many ways you can contribute. Thanks!
