Koinonia I

"I cannot consent to creep, when I feel the impulse to soar."
-Helen Keller

We have had the first critique of our work, and it was very, very, different from what I am used to. For one thing, people actually responded, but I'll have more about this brand new (genius) process of critiquing later on in my bloggings.

We were asked to create pieces in response to our summer programming, our summer community site, and our experiences in Baltimore thus far. For all three of these pieces, the Greek word, koinonia (roughly, 'communion by intimate participation') was given as a key idea, at the request of our program director. It actually has many layers and facets to its meaning, and THAT is exactly what I like in a word. Needless to say, I was more than happy to start painting and printmaking again. Especially if it involved something issue-based, and it involved a cool word with multiple interpretations. Sign. Me. Up.

The first piece was to be based upon a 'call and response' theme, even more specifically. I kept my series with the birds going strong, because I think I have been focused on the same thoughts since I got accepted into the MACA program. Originally, when I found out that I was moving to Baltimore, my subject animal changed dramatically from a deer to a raven. I traded the ideas of loss and power, for that of freedom and movement. I think the raven is still appropriate.

This time I had little trouble finding a phrase with which to base my piece. I asked one of my high school interns to write out the above, Helen Keller quote for me. I wanted his mark on my piece, his handwriting rather than mine. I spent a lot of time thinking about my hopes, and dreams for the youth I was working with. I want them to feel the same freedom I felt and still feel. It's as if I can do anything in the world, that it literally opened up before my eyes. That's what I want for them, that is my call. Sky's (not) the limit!

Quoth the Raven - Soar!

And who lived in Baltimore? Edgar Allen Poe did. I so love him.