Bananas to marvel at
Sometimes it’s good just to stare in wonder, jaws agape, at things that are strange and beautiful. I have two of those and a third banana that peels back the layers on a fascinating job relating to making beautiful things.
Plants really are alive and they really do move! This requires a click as it is a short video and will make zero sense as a static image and some text. I can only do so much in email.
Meet the electric clam, or disco scallop. Please click. You need to see this in its full motion glory.
How does one become a Mardi Gras float painter? Defend New Orleans interviewed Caroline Thomas, a many-time float artist who painted for Proteus this year. To me, this is one of those crazy art + hard physical labor + love jobs that people must take all sorts of crazy paths to get to, and then try to hold on like hell to if they enjoy it. Here’s Caroline’s answer to what most fulfilling aspect is for her:
“The creative cycle for floats is so wild: we spend all year working in secret, they roll for two or three hours, after which they get dismantled and whited out for next year. So needless to say it’s a rush to see them finally roll out. The neighbors and Mardi Gras aficionados gather to check out the floats, the krewe members are pregaming and blasting music, the marching bands are warming up, and there’s just a great energy to the whole thing. I love that I get to make art serves such a public purpose.”
Read the whole interview, and also check out the amazing headpieces she creates inspired by her float work.
Those are the three bananas I have for you upon which to gaze this week. You can hit reply and it’ll go only to me. Thank you.