Every once in a while, when sight fails to convey emotion, Ill post words instead of pictures. This is such a moment. Im sharing because Ive found sharing to be one of the most important ways through which we experience life and also because I hope these words are heard by someone I wish to thank. Touch. Im familiar with its sensation; I know craving from its absence; and I understand its power of connection beyond its point of contact, but today, I felt touch in a new way. The touch of another reached me a little deeper than expected and I found myself feeling it all through an afternoon, beyond a setting sun, a rising moon and well into tonight. Heres the kicker: she didnt even touch me - I was merely a voyeur, a witness, and yet still the receiver. A blind girl and her companion entered my booth today and asked if she could touch my art. Absolutely, yes. was the answer. Her companion guided her hand and said, Here, feel this, its a leaf thats glued onto a metal background... She continued to describe the appearance of what the girl began to gracefully explore with her fingertips. This feels like a feather, are you sure its a leaf?! Her companion stood corrected and laughed out loud at her own misinterpretation. Youre totally right, thats definitely a feather! Ha-ha-ha! She then led the girls hand onto my raven and began to describe it as the girl once again explored my work with her fingertips, This one, is of a raven, carved in wood, perched on a rock, carved out of wood and the background is a painting of a desert... Touching wooden Raven, touching wooden rock, the girls fingers continued... the sky is... I chimed in, while her fingers were still upon ravens wing, Hold on for a sec, I want to show you something else about this piece. Here, feel its wing while I pull on a string thats hanging below it. She continued to gently waltz her fingers along wooden feathers and I pulled the string that flaps the ravens wing. She laughed with surprise and joy from the unexpected movement- it was the best reaction Ive seen in a long while. I forgot most of what was said after that - I was still bound in her laughter and the expressive sparkle in her eyes as they danced behind sunglasses. Her fingertips danced a little while longer as I continued to pull the string. Im fairly certain that was the most intimate exchange Ive yet experienced through my art. The hours spent in my hands, now witnessed through her hands. Theres a part of ME that felt that touch and feels it still. A part of me that previously felt unseen, without even knowing its own hidden nature, that now feels seen through that touch. I lack the depth of language through which I can express this with... That girl and the power of her touch, touched me deeper than shell ever know without even placing a finger on me... I cant quite explain it, so Ill just sit here tonight and feel it, grateful for the experience of it.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:51:13 +0000
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