Explorational Works VI

Sticks and Stones and Other Things...

The piece on this page was done several years ago as a thank you to the people of Lohiatala, who were warm, curious and welcoming. Lohiatala is a village on a small island, one of many, which were once known as "The Spice Islands". These islands are now part of Indonesia. The village had been accessable by foot. In the year prior to my visit a road was built linking the inland village to another village some 13 km away. This makes Lohiatala accessable by vehicle - if one is available.

Pattern and pulse - repetition and variation... elements and concepts of life... and art. An organization of materials in such a way as to leave no doubt that there has been the touch of a human hand. A connection between people that transends language, culture and even a way of life. A mystery over which to wonder and remember. That this piece was created on the dry bed of a stream ensured that it would last at most a season. The water in the near by stream would clearly rise during a heavey rain. What is Art?

Detail...

Along with some forethought and a little planning this piece grew and developed as it was created on site - much like this web site. The paper beneath the two stones reads:

"GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP AND HARMONY TO THE PEOPLE OF LOHIATALA" ©1994 DADDARIO

While I was on a hillside near the village I did occasionally observe reactions by people passing the piece. Women and children gathering firewood detoured from their path for a closer look. A man and his son returned from hunting. They sat on their haunches and began to talk by the piece. The man pointing at various things... and of course the children playing near the stream surrounded it at times - they seemed to comment among themselves - then go on thier way... Within a few days of creating this piece my stay in the area ended.