Monday, May 16, 2022

The Sun Hive

"Between Heaven and Earth"

Designed by German sculptor, Gunther Mancke, the Sun Hive is an alternative bee hive made of rye straw intended to reflect and reveal the inherent disposition of the bee.  It is egg-shaped and typically suspended above the ground. It is from this height that the bee moves down towards the earth from the world of spheres to live a life of light and warmth. This hive represents the colony's will to live in a way that meets its innate criteria, the freedom to move in a way it wishes to. It is not meant for honey or pollen production, but a gift to the bees to simply be themselves and live in harmony.



 

Some drip tape baskets woven out of upcycled irrigation line.

Upcycled Hand-woven Drip-Tape Basket


Upcycling: A cousin to the more common term, “recycling”, upcycling is concerned with reducing waste and reusing materials. However, upcycling also asks us to consider how we might increase the value of a waste product. For example, using a plastic water bottle as a building material or insulation for a home increases the original value of the water bottle. In the context of these hand-woven baskets, I used drip-tape, which would otherwise go to a landfill.


Drip tape, also known as t-tape, is a common material used by farmers for irrigating crops. However, the drip tape is only usable to farmers for a few seasons before small holes and build up in the lines make it less efficient for irrigation. At this point, although the drip tape is no longer usable to farmers, it remains a durable plastic, which serves as an excellent material for basket making!







 

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Ever Enters the Sun World

In this scene, from The Butterfly Ship (http://www.thebutterflyship.com/), Ever finally makes it to the Doors of the Sun. She discovers she is wearing a glistening butterfly key which unlocks the Doors of the Sun, letting light flood back to her planet.

Red World: Conquer Your Fears and Drink Deep from the Waters of Your Soul


In this series from The Butterfly Ship (http://www.thebutterflyship.com/), Ever finds herself in a chaotic jungle. She gets caught in some vines, encounters a panther, and is helped by a wise owl.