Imagining Self: Rose Message
By N. Teddy Goldsworthy-hanner

How do you imagine Self? Life’s history is like a feather being blown along in the wind where one is not merely defining but creating meaning, inventing a record of distinctions – the myth of freedom and escape – imagining Self.

The world, a mimicry of assumptions where one wishes to be valued, wishes to be cherished. The world, a place where one can barely find the history of meanings, where one’s self-perceptions are hardly valid. Is all there is material inscriptions where no one looks beyond to the written?

Art is an activity crucial to self identity and liberal humanist belief, a barrier against those who would deny validity of Self.

Poem & Photograph by Deborah Cottrell

The idea of self has evolved in my mind over the years. Where once I saw self as our highest nature, beyond ego, I now think of it as a shell containing that which cannot be contained. Our role as artists, as human beings, is to crack the shell and offer glimpses, to ourselves and others, of the uncontainable.

SELF AMUSEMENT

Gary Turchin has been exploring self as an artist, writer, performer and silly-poet-for-kids (aka Gary T. & his PoetTree) for 35 years. His cosmic t-shirt designs were renowned in art festivals throughout the state for many years and were sold in major national catalogues.

As a kids’ poet, he has performed original verse in more than 250 schools and libraries, and produced two recordings and two chapbooks of verse. He also wrote a newspaper column about Oakland that ran in the Montclarion Newspaper for 5 years.

by Marisa

(Marisa participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

]]> http://whatisself.com/2009/05/19/self-portrait-5-years-old/feed/ 0 http://whatisself.com/2009/05/19/from-you-14/ http://whatisself.com/2009/05/19/from-you-14/#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 21:16:53 +0000 Lanell http://whatisself.com/?p=556

by SUSANA ARAGON

(Susana participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

Artist Bio: I’m a visual artist born in Lima, Peru. I’ve been working in the fields of arts and education since 1982. My art work goes from video installations, multimedia shows, public space interventions, performance, to book objects, ceramic, photography, poetry, costume design and painting.

My work emerges from daily experience, transforming it, experimenting, playing. I’m interested in the way objects can change their meaning according to the way they are put together, whether in a picture, real space or in video installations becoming presences that can lead people to different personal worlds.

Artist Website: susanaaragon.blogspot.com

What is Self?

Friendship – the connections we have with people.

L. Berkely – graffiti artist

(L. Berkely participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

There are more photos of the making of this piece on the Frisbie St. website. Click here to view.

(watercolor, charcoal, crayon, pastel on paper)

This piece is a collaboration between Yosi, a 3 year old, and her mom.

As a non producing artist, I constantly struggle with being able to produce art, as if I can’t dig deep enough, or let go long enough to put something down.

Watching Yosi draw, I am inspired by her expressive strokes, fearless choice of color and care-free motivation.

This piece illustrates my personal inner struggle between holding on and letting go, being fearful and fearless and making nothing or something.

by CARREL CRAWFORD

(Carrel participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

What is Self?
beyond the thin skin of identity created by our thoughts

what moves this transient shadow form?
Life

step through The Door
shed all that you think you are
discover your self

LANELL DIKE – Breathe One Love artist

(Lanell participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

Artist Bio: Lanell Dike is enjoying the daily miracle of breath.

Artist Website: www.breatheonelove.com

What is self?
Inwardly imagined
Outwardly projected
Recipient interpretation
Known and unknown
We remain our ’self’
To be discovered again
And, again

SUE GRAUE – Visual artist

inspired by patterns and beauty
Photography is my passion
Capturing a moment in time, to share with others
Self-taught and professionally coached
My identity is not as a mother, sister or friend
But, an artist
This has been my transformation
I am grateful
To find my ’self’

(Sue participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

SHADOW PIECES OF SELF
Papercuts

THE RYHTHM OF SELF
A Papercut Book

C.J. GROSSMAN – Art, Jazz, Books

(C.J. participated in the What is Self? Art & Writing Exhibition @ Frisbie St. in Oakland, CA – May 2009)

Artist Website: www.artjazzbooks.com