Wings, Needles, Treetops, and Art
Brian and I take an annual trip North each Fall. We had a great time finding new venues in the Traverse City area. Many years ago, one of my teachers told me that one of the most important things I could do, to progress in my own art is to always really “look” whether in a museum, walking a street, or taking a hike. Searching the internet, I found an exhibit at the Dennos Museum at the Northwestern Michigan College about the New Guinea Birds of Paradise.
The dances that these birds do and their wonderful feathers amazed me. Have you watched the show “Treme”? In this show, they have New Orleans Indian groups who create over the top costumes for Mardi Gras. Their costumes and dancing reminded me of these Birds of Paradise.
How is it possible that North American Indian groups mimic birds from the other side of the world?
In the entry of the Dennos Museum, they had an exhibit by Rufus Snoddy, titled “Confluence”. More on this plus a visit to a wonderful park in my next post.
