ORACLE BONES and the APRIL 8, 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE

The crowd did not dream when they laid down their money that they would see the total eclipse of the Sonny!

Muhammed Ali 

(Muhammed Ali vs Sonny Liston, February 25, 1964)                                                                                                                                     

In ancient cultures around the globe, bones often played a role in divination.  

In China during the late Shang dynasty c.1250 BCE - 1046 BCE,  animal bones and flat underside of turtle shells were carved or drawn on using the earliest known examples of Chinese writing.  Many of the characters are close enough to modern versions that they can be read.  The bone or shell would ask a question.  It was then pressed with a hot poker causing cracks that would be interpreted by a diviner.  Now these oracle bones act as windows into the ancient cultural history of China.  They remain as records of weather, crops, military engagements, sales made, the royal families - and on rare occasions records of a lunar or solar eclipse.

The oracle bones were usually made from the bones of an ox but a few skulls of deer have also been found.

This year there was a gathering to view the solar eclipse at my brother's house in Ohio - in the path of totality.  The forecast was for cloudy skies but the day turned out to be perfect, clear and warm.  We watched the sun being nibbled away, and when the moment of total darkness happened loud cheers went up in the neighborhood all around us.

It is impossible to explain why it was so thrilling.  Despite everything having been predicted and explained, it remained mysterious and strangely beautiful.

Since I had an undecorated deer skull sitting around in my Cabinet I had the opportunity to do my own oracle bone to record the total eclipse of 2024.

THE BIRDS LIBRARY

"Nothing is invented, for it's written in nature first. 

Antoni Gaudi

The structure that holds the Bird's Library is an altered antique clock case. The exterior surface is covered with mirror pieces and iridescent blue acrylic, changing its impact to one that is light and airy - air being appropriate to the life of birds.  The top two images were photographed with a white baffle.  The bottom photograph shows how the library all but disappears into its reflections.

Two ceramic owls perch on the roof's pedestals.  Since ancient times owls have been symbols of wisdom.

The shelving inside the library is also covered in mirrors and the walls are collaged with images of birds.

The books in the Bird's Library so far have all been created with collage images and come in two sizes.  The topics are wide-ranging and include birds napping in bed,  or accompanying people who wear a variety of uniforms, or enjoying fruit.

 

SENTENCES 

"The house never forgets the sound of its original occupants."

John Hejduk