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In our local paper, an interesting editorial was written. The title read, "Satanic worship allowed in Milton schools." The writer, Bill Bryson of Milton, NH went on to write about how the Milton school is allowing the children to play Dungeons and Dragons after school. Mr. Bryson went on to explain that, "It has been argued for years that this role playing game is not only dangerous, but can lead to demon possession in some people. It teaches younger and older players that using magic, spells and talking to over 200 gods is how to survive this game."
Mr. Bryson's editorial gave me a burst of inspiration. My experience with the game has been sitting around a table, rolling dice, eating Funyons, drinking Mt. Dew and explaining what inhabits our individual imagination while traveling through imaginary situations. In reality we are all still sitting at a table, rolling dice and eating junk food. Fun is had by all. I took this burst and created a collection of items that are my experience along with some images of historical influence (gargoyles of the Notre Dame Cathedral). This came at an opportune time with the ArtPM Challenge happening in Kittery, ME. I hope my "Response to an Editorial" is enjoyed. Thanksgiving
This day that we celebrate is very strange to me. The moment we are remembering is one that forced natives to flee. Early settlers pushed them out while reaping their harvest. The natives were savages. Why? They worked with the earth. They listened to the wind, the animals, lived in harmony with nature and thrived. Today we gather and eat. We are not remembering the slaughter that took place, instead preparing for a different slaughter that will come to be. The warriors are among us, camping outside of store fronts. Ready to slaughter their savings. Completely forgetting about compassion, love, harmony. Oblivious to the celebration that is with them every day of every year: life, family, children. These things are taken, too often, for granted. “I love you” is replaced with pricy gifts. Visiting family is seen as an inconvenience of time, instead of one that should be cherished. Think about what we are truly celebrating and emulating this holiday. Those emotions that are displayed with honest conviction will affect the one’s closet. It is never too late to be true, honest, compassionate to not only your family, but the world in which we live. Living in harmony with the world creates a harmonious balance within the family, bringing to light the true celebration: each other. Being invited to exhibit as an artist with the Rochester Fair is very exciting for me. 17 years ago, I submitted a drawing to the fair with the Girl Scouts and started winning art awards such as Superintendent's and People's Choice awards.
Now, almost two decades later, I have an exhibitor's space! How neat!! Setting up was very reminiscent of my younger years. Everyone was very busy setting up their spaces, putting finishing touches on the building and making sure all the fixtures are working properly. I couldn't help but stop and stare at the bustling people all around me and smile. Of all the art shows I have done, this one seems the most like home. I am very excited for the opening of the fair tomorrow. I am very grateful to Annette and Josh for the opportunity to exhibit with the Rochester Fair this year! As always, thank you all for your constant love and support! As I talked with Dawn from RAW NYC, I learned that I will have a showcase to exhibit anything I want for the event. This got my mind rolling....I already knew that they were interested in my Addiction Series. What do I want to say with this event, how do I want to be viewed? The one piece of me which has been growing louder over the past year is my need to reflect on social commentary.
In light of this revelation, I have decided to complete the sculptures that I have been working on for 6 months to a year on different societal issues. I hope that many of my viewers are able to come out and view these sculptures that have never been exhibited before. As I finish these pieces, I will start to post them on a new page " Thank you for taking an interest in my life. I'm amazed at how my existence scares you. I hope you continue to have a curiosity in my being. Maybe come to an art show - talk to me and mostly, understand.
Your fear could be a lack of understanding. Is this why you signaled me out? Do I confuse you? I enjoy helping to clarify situations. There are so many addictions in the world. Many are recognized by the required to kick the habit. For example, AA = alcoholic; NA = narcotics; OA = overeaters; but what about the other addictions? The addictions to money, cellphones, relationships, credit cards, exterior beauty, fast food just to name a few.
All of these simple addictions can be very detrimental to a persons health and personal growth. I am drawing attention to these problems with my next set of found object sculptures. A true friend is happy for you when you are happy. They comfort you when you are sad and heartbroken. A true friend does not build walls of judgment and criticism. Having fake ideals of nostalgia, family and wholesomeness. While their true nature lies in the sin of vanity and materialistic pride.
Living in the past is a great way to live in pain. I try to look to the future as often as I can. Seeing happiness in tomorrow. I feel sorry for the people who wake today feeling other people's pain from yesterday. Not only do they build a darkness in their soul but they casually reopen wounds (with the best of intentions). Always just trying to help - never seeing how much it hurts. Live for today. Live in the NOW. Enjoy each moment. Live for YOURSELF!!!!!! Dear anyone lost out there,
You are loved. Life is hard. No one has the answers, no matter how hard we try. Over the years I have been given some great advice that I want to share with anyone reading: Value your life and Don't make a permanent solution to a temporary problem. My friend, April (who died tragically), wrote a poem about how life is like a road with bumps and curves. She touched upon the flatness of the road that sometimes occurs, how calming that must be. Than the bumps and curves come into play...but to remember that the level ground will soon again appear. She was very wise beyond her short lived years. Remember that You are not alone, for even in our loneliness we are together. In those tough moments, just breathe and know that I too am here. With love and understanding, ~Ms. Renda While in college, 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to write an essay for a scholarship based on E-Commerce. I had remembered enjoying getting my feelings about technology out on paper. I came across the essay recently and felt that those feelings are still alive and well within me as we continue to embark upon this technological journey. This being said, I wanted to share my essay with those friends who read this (I know who you are).
E-Commerce, for example, the buying and selling of merchandise on-line, is going to have a negative impact on the next decade. E-Commerce is encouraging people to become very lackadaisical. Soon, this technological advancement will destroy jobs, creativity, and the human soul. E-Commerce is already creating an idle society. Rather than going to stores to buy books, clothes, toys, and other material possessions, one click on the mouse and whatever one wants will be sent straight to your house. Thus destroying the jobs of many retail merchandisers and supervisors. Instead of calling up the broker to buy or sell a stock, just type in what you would like to buy or sell and the computer will keep the information up to date for you. If one needs to get rid of some quality commodities, just go to one of the many auctions on-line. Beware, this may require leaving the house to go to the post office. Even though people just may use the postal service a little more, this too is destroying jobs. More of those retail workers will lose their jobs and the auctions that take place now will soon diminish. The art industry will be obliterated soon. The talent of being an artist is no longer necessary to make it in the art world. One can create their own music, pictures, and movies right on-line. All a person needs is the proper programs (which can be purchased on-line) and presto, new music, fine art and new movies! Even companies such as Disney and DreamWorks are using these programs to create their cartoon movies, not to mention games. All these things are keeping the people inside, for now, at chairs, sitting all day long. Simplifying people's lives more and more. Soon, these great minds, that separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom, will shrivel up from lack of use. The human race has surrendered their minds to these machines. Doing everything in their power to give the machine a more human-like quality. What if something happens to the main source of power? It will be the end of mankind. The majority of people will not know how to survive without the assistance of a computer. The only decent jobs that will be left will be supervising the robots that are building the computers. This will destroy the middle and lower class workers; they are the ones who will be out of jobs and homeless. E-Commerce is going to be the beginning of the end of society in the next decade. People of all ages are already buying cars, houses, toys and groceries on-line, but soon, one will be able to obtain a high school and college degrees straight from the Internet. Our lives are becoming on big Science-fiction movie and no one will be around to see the end |
Fond Memories
I always enjoyed making people uncomfortable with my art. This has resulted in two of my pieces being set on fire and burnt to a crisp by the people that were the most affected by the artwork. Archives
January 2013
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