Link 1: "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf" -Jon Kabat Zinn, submitted by Pete Sperber
Link 2: Afloat, assemblage submitted by Charly Nanda
Artist Reflection: I was excited when I read the quote from mindfulness teacher, Jon Zinn. I've been trying to let the stress, anxiety and fear of our time just wash over me. Mostly keeping afloat, drowning a bit every now and then, and one time I almost stood up on the board. Afloat is a temporary artwork, like the waves, combining natural elements including salt grown crystals, water, chives, sugar, beeswax, milk, and ink.
Link 3: Float on, digital painting submitted by Marriah Vengroff
Artist Reflection: I was inspired by the calming colors and the feel of the piece I received. And the name "Afloat" made me think of trying to float on through a situation with so many unknowns, and finding the sparks of light and beauty along this unchartered path.
Link 4: Blooming, photograph submitted by Mindy Bocko
Artist Reflection: The lines in my photograph connect to "Float On" and the appearance of energy reaching out. "Float on" also looked like a close up of a flower and that inspired my image also. Photography, nature and beauty sustain me during these times.
Link 5: Happy Bloom, mixed media collage submitted by Ilan and Yaara Sperber
Artist Reflection: We saw a closed flower in the last picture but it was called "Blooming" and we wanted to add on to that. So we had the idea to make the blooming cycle of a flower, starting with a bud, then beginning to open, and then exploding with color. The other picture had long grass so we also included strips of paper to show the surrounding environment which is also important to protect the bloom. We made it by collaging papers and we also made the explosion with bubble painting and made our own stamp for the petals. Our art represents staying happy by focusing on how we can each bloom.
Link 6: Decadent Harvest, cheesecake and natural plants submitted by Emily Gulotta
Artist Reflection: I was inspired by “Happy Bloom” and its beautiful flowers. I wanted to make something that also showed growing, and the three sections of flowers in “Happy Bloom” made me think of the three classic flavors in a Neapolitan dessert. I tried to make the cheesecake appear “in bloom” like a flower, and the three concentric circles grew outward when I poured the batter in!
Link 7: Comfort, submitted by Andrea Schwartz
Artist Reflection: When I first looked at "Decadent Harvest" I saw the warmth of the colors and felt cheered. When I read the description that it was a cheesecake surrounded by natural plants, I could almost taste the sweetness and richness, feeling comforted and relaxed by this beautiful picture.
Note: The artists did NOT see the reflections written by the previous artist, only the image of the work and the title. The reflections were revealed only when the chain was complete.
Feeling inspired? Create your own artistic response to this chain and share on instagram #translations2020.