O.K., for those of you who won’t wear a flea, would you be willing to put your ex’s ashes in a flea theme tower? Ann are you listening? Notice the pagoda roof? (only one corner sags). This is an example from my “Asian/Oakie not Karokee” period. Warning: don’t try slab construction without the aid of a professional (my ceramic instructor Keiko Fukazawa).
I have it from a reliable source (my Japanese born ceramic instructor Keiko Fukazawa), that the Japanese have an insensitive description related to couples where the male is smaller then the female (and it has to do with a “he” flea).
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My Flea Tower is a cone 10 high fire ceramic piece. Keiko Fukazawa works with low fire glazes on porcelain bisque.
Ex’s ashes, no. Cookies, maybe.
PA,
You know you’re a pretty crazy chick what with the fleas and the cockroaches…i find it pretty funny, and wierdly inspiring-
All kidding aside, this is beautiful. If a corner is sagging, it only lends itself to the concept of “made by hand”.
Seems premature to put my ex’s ashes in the tower…all my ex’s are still alive…what can you be suggesting? But I do have the cremains from my two dogs and haven’t been able to deal with them for over 4 years now. I want to mix them together and put half in the woods which they enjoyed so much and the other half in the Illinois River because it makes me think eventually the ashes will make it to the ocean and Tess & Rego will become one with the entire planet. (IL River to Mississippi River to Gulf of Mexico and beyond) Tess was found in and rescued from the Illinois River as a newborn pup and so it seems fitting that she should return there. It sound so cosmic, you know–circle of life. Just can’t seem to do it yet. I know, I’m too sentimental, or just mental.
Ex? No. Current? Yes.
I wouldn’t wear a flea, but I’d display one. These appear to be fleeing fleas.
I’ve never heard that “indelicate” Japanese expression.
All my ex’s live in Texas…. and Mar Vista. It is surprising to see a warm and mushy idea–like shelf storage for transmuted molecules—grow out of a concept as clinical as utilitarianism. Something about slab construction reminds me of an autopsy and slab deconstruction. Somehow this flee funerary urn reminds me of natural selection. I especially like the flee motif, and by the way would probably be willing to wear it on a shirt, although a cock roach might be more explicit when thinking about ashes and dieing and now, for me suddenly, survival of the fittest. I am suddenly thinking of my survival and my swelling torso.They say only the cock roaches will survive. As a chef I don’t know of any ways to cook flees. There are though, quite a few cock roach recipes passed around the global cook fire. Your urn design has almost a biomorphic graphic quality. We used to think of that as organic design.
I do tend toward vegetarianism but realize that survival of the fittest includes culinary issues. Thinking of one’s spouse as ash takes me directly to evolution and I guess to God. Evolution is organic design. Organic design thrives on pain, as it seems marriages do too. To ponder natural selection is to be staggered by the amount of suffering and death that can be the price for one small advance in organic design or one sustained decades long struggle to stay married. Jarred Diamond asserts that European populations (this would include the daughters of the American Revolution) are more stupid than peoples of south pacific islands because Europeans were naturally selected for their ability to survive the plague more than any other single environmental factor. “Bring out your dead”. You could make urns to order with singular iconographies that illuminate the lives of our loved one’s. Like the African coffins: pink Cadillac urns or sculptural insurance policies with lids. Stir the pot. Kisses
Chris knew right away it was an egg !!!!! We would both wear your T – I only refuse to wear corporate propaganda.
hugs,
1st there was flea-market, then the flea-bag, and now there are a flea-shirt & a flea-box… the possabilities are endless… have you developed the Palm Axis corp logo yet (next best thing to a designer logo…)
Oh, forgot to say, love those (now signature) colors of the tower.
This may be the weirdest object I’ve ever seen that is at the same time beautiful. You’re talented that way, my dear PA.
I agree with Tash — I love the colors, too. But mostly, the flea as recurring theme? How wonderfully literal!
No comments on my “Asian/Oakie not Karaoke” title? I’m going to quit listening to V (not to be confused with Queen V). Such a troubled Palm, that one.
I’d like to encourage you, “gentle readers” to follow my links to the ceramic work of Keiko Fukazawa. She’s a ceramic instructor over at Pasadena Community College. I’ve seen her Hello Kitty in the flesh, and it’s not to be believed.
I love my flea tower. I’m glad some of you loved it as well. As hiking Mary might say “love is such a strong word” but you liked it, RIGHT? Let me just tell you now, it was a nightmare to create! The recurring flea is from a mold that was made of a flea tile I had sculpted. If I ever do it again, I will approach it differently. (Tash): I was really pleased with the way the colors turned out.
Altadena Hiker: Yours is the highest of praise. (she’s seen the tower in person) I’m honored.
Elaine: Cookies? after yesterday’s plague description? I was near ready to gas the house and shoot the squirrels.
Mary: forget genius, weird inspiration is the best kind
John E: always at the ready with a kind word
Susan: I informed Keiko that she was describing my coupledom with V.
D: go back to the T-Flea comments and you will discover Anne’s (and my inspiration for the ashes direction) feelings towards her ex. Are you sure you wouldn’t be upsetting Tess’ spirit by taking her back to a place of great distress? I say the last one standing (niece/nephew) should mix you all together in one glorious ash heap.
Walter: Did you get the “Tex’s Exes” from a country song? I have a digital file dedicated to the funerary practices of extreme coffin decor in Africa. The biomorphic angle is my favorite when it comes to high fire ceramics. You’re always aware of the works origins in mud.
You are my most thoughtful commentator and I’m up to my third reading. “Organic design thrives on pain, as it seems marriages do too” nice as is your weird little humorous inserts “the daughters of the American Revolution”. Kisses to you
Chris and Lisa: Chris is my kind of guy and thanks, I’d expect no less from you both.
Tash: If I go corporate then Chris and Lisa won’t wear my T’s…then again, if I go corporate, I might get stinking rich (ssshhh: to hell with Lisa and Chris)
Laurie: Your absolutely right. (It’s my strong suit) but not appreciated by all. I’d let you in my studio
I want to shrink myself and live in the flea village.