To add on to my previous post,
After having my senior art show at Anderson University, I was surprised to learn that one of the pieces I presented, "Blood & the Sun" was one of the most connected to pieces for my viewers. I prepared two pieces that each were based on a song I had written and recorded, "Blood & the Sun" being one of them. For those who were unable to attend, I not only displayed the artwork, but with the artwork I presented an opportunity for my viewer to partake in the entire experience of the piece as I intended. I allowed them to hear the song as the viewed the piece that was created from each song. Many people seemed to be drawn to this piece. I was not sure how people would handle that piece in particular.
The song "Blood & the Sun" was written a few years ago, while I was enrolled in the course 'Hebrew Roots of the Christian Faith'. Most of the material in this course discussed and broke down different perspectives on the Holocaust. It took me awhile to warm up to this course and begin to really respond and absorb the information. It wasn't until I read the book 'Night' by Eli Wiesel that I really began to show interest in the course. This is when I started writing the song "Blood & the Sun".
The song has much influence from my perspective and feelings of what happened during the Holocaust, and my fear of our heartless society. I tried my best to express these thoughts and feelings and fears I portrayed in the song, physically using the clay to visually show the weight and emotion that the song holds.
I received a letter in the mail a few days ago from my grandmother, who attended my art show. She told me how much she enjoyed everything, but specifically that piece. She said she was impressed with the depth and emotion that showed through that sculpture and song. I suppose that I'm just pleasantly surprised at the reactions I received from that piece.
