We Made a Poem Without Using Words
Art + Assemblage recap
Hello dear friends and curious readers,
Somehow two weeks have passed since teaching the Art + Assemblage workshop here in Kansas City. To say it was a deeply gratifying experience would be an understatement. To be back in the presence of the participants in real time, on location, with three days dedicated to creating art from the materials and art they’d collected and gathered felt a little like coming home to myself.
The steady rhythm of curiosity, sparks of creative inspiration and discovery about how the things that were brought to the table might fit together. Each object holding a story, a memory, energy of its own, waiting to become a part of something more than its original purpose.
We began day one with a poem to set the intention for the course:
What if, says a small child to me this afternoon,
We made a poem without using any words at all?
Wouldn’t that be cool? You could use long twigs,
And feathers, or spider strands, and arrange them
So that people imagine what words could be there.
Wouldn’t that be cool? So there’s a different poem
For each reader. That would be the best poem ever.
The poem wouldn’t be on the page, right? It would
Be in the air, sort of. It would be between the twigs
And the person’s eyes, or behind the person’s eyes,
After the person saw whatever poem he or she saw.
Maybe there are a lot of poems that you can’t write
Down. Couldn’t that be? But they’re still there even
If no one can write them down, right? Poems in
Books are only a little bit of all the poems there are.
Those are only the poems someone found words for.
~The best poem ever by Brian Doyle
With an understanding that our ideas for the stories these objects represent didn’t need to be overt or clearly spelled out for the viewer, we opened to the possibility that the materials themselves would lead us through the process of the final composition.
After spreading our favored objects and potential materials out on our worktables and a bit of discussion of the potential of assemblage, we set off on an extended lunch break. Beginning with a walk to gather found and natural materials, then on to the antique thrift shop—Urban Mining just down the street, we of each came back with even more possibilities.
Then we got to work, allowing ourselves to see past these items in their original state; deconstructing and considering how else they might be used.
On Day two, I started off with a challenge to help each participant narrow down their options and decide on a starting point. One of the biggest obstacles to making our art is getting stuck in the place of being unable to decide which rabbit trail of inspiration to follow.
Prompted by the materials that “confronted us”, the studio was soon humming with creative excitement.
There is something almost tangible hanging in the air when those sparks of inspiration suddenly lead to an idea and the work of each artist begins to take shape.
Art + Assemblage began in 2018 as a workshop called Boxing Encaustic. Participants first created collage and encaustic works on panel and then extended beyond that to create unique assemblage style frames.
In this most recent iteration — Art + Assemblage, the starting point can be older artworks that were never completed, or we aren’t quite satisfied with. But many of the participants opted to simply focus on assemblage.
My focus as the instructor, is to guide the student through the process to recognize their own voice as an artist and bring their own vision to fruition. In the process, we recognize and acknowledge the inner messages that block us, which includes simply being able to call ourselves artists to begin with.
The last day of a workshop is always a bit bittersweet. We have bonded, shared our stories, and worked side by side in dedication and commitment to honing our craft.
It’s an incredible experience to see how each person worked through the process and even surprised themselves with their results.
As much as these images impart, it isn’t possible to share each magical moment with you.
“A huge thank you to Crystal for leading us all through this process. I learned so much and now have greater hope to use the treasures I’ve accumulated.”
“Crystal, you are so generous in your sharing and teaching — I’m still processing it all but I am full of possibility as a result.”
I’d love to have you join me at one of my next on location workshop experiences. The next two on the schedule each begin with the traditional art of Momigami—the Japanese art of kneading paper, combined with my innovative technique for taking it to the realm of sculpting with paper.
But we won’t stop there.
Once you have an understanding of how far you can push this traditional craft as an artistic explorer, I’ll teach you a number of mixed media techniques to combine and assemble into sculptural works, taking you through the process of allowing the materials to lead.
Join me this October in Chicago at Jeff Hirst’s incredible and well equipped studio, for four full days of working sculpturally. Plus a bonus Zoom gathering prior to the workshop to help participants prepare materials and plan for our time together.
(Bonus: Chicago is an incredible place to be in the Fall!)
This one is going to allow me to take you down those creative rabbit holes with me as we delve into your own ideas and the potential for the materials you’ve collected!
September in Sedona has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Three days to focus on creating paper vessels, delving deeper into the meaning within the work as self portraits or symbolic representations of home—to be interpreted as you will.
Of course, I’ll lead you through the process and give you plenty of ideas and inspiration to work with. And the grounds around the Sedona Art Center offer plenty of organic materials to incorporate into your designs as well.
If you have any questions about either of these upcoming workshops, or would like to book one in your area, leave me a comment with contact information or send me an email at artist.crystalneubauer@gmail.com
With gratitude,
Crystal Marie
Only fabulous times were experienced in your workshops, Crystal! People have been mighty impressed and it's plain to see from the photos - they were really "into it" and truly inspired! What a marvelous time for all!
I seriously did not want the workshop to end. Huge revelations and deep connections were had.