"Larry Larry Quite
Contrary"
An Article written for the St John Tradewinds
by Artist Ziya Neema
If Larry could have things his
way there would be no press release
about his upcoming show February
2nd (2007) at Bajo del Sol, located
in Mongoose Junction. ... If Larry
could have things his way his
geo kinetic sculptures would eloquently
expound dissertations on his methodologies,
artistic intent, and the meaning
of life. They might even be able
to cook him a decent dinner and
rake his beach.
But Larry does not always get
what he wants. Or when he does
it is a mixed bag. ... Take me
for example. He wanted an assistant/apprentice
to help him prepare for his upcoming
shows at Bajo del Sol and the
Good Hope Annual Expo in St. Croix.
... Instead he got me.
I should be making fish heads
right now but I am too ADD: primitive
and right handed. So instead I
am badgering him with a dozen
thought provoking questions. ..
It is like giving a dog a bath.
Ziya: How Long have you lived
in the Virgin Islands?
Larry L: Long Time.
Ziya: Why do you make fish mobiles.
Larry L: I make geo kinetic sculptures.
Calder made mobiles. You will refer
to them as geo kinetic sculptures or
I will not acknowledge your existence.
Ziya: Why do your geo kinetic sculptures
resemble Balinese aquatic reptiles from
the walls of some lost Polynesian jungle
temple?
Larry L: Look, if you want to talk
to me you are going to have to stop
mumbling, or at least speak up. (I
think this is merely a diversionary
tactic because I am practically screaming
at this point. )
Ziya: Geo ... bang ... Kinetic ...
ping ping ... Balinese ...
bam... Reptiles ...clunk clunk
clunk .. Polynesian temple!!! Larry
has returned to his workbench and is
pounding away. I assume the answer and
question portion of the afternoon has
come to an end.
Larry is an intensely private
man. I am not allowed to make
any reference to where his secret
studio is located. All I can say
is that as an artist, he probably
has the best deal in the entire
Greater Antilles.
His studio is pure magic. Fish
flying, goddesses dancing, sea
glass bending light. Every time
I return to his space the geo
kinetic sculptures have moved
about.
I am not sure what I am supposed
to be doing right now. This apprenticeship
is not exactly working out. I
am allegedly helping him but we
mostly just fight. An average
day goes something like this:
I arrive in the morning and he
shows me a new metal smithing
skill. I space out and make him
show me again. Then I try. He
cringes so I try again. He starts
to shake and walks away. I keep
trying then he starts screaming
from across the room. "NO!!
NO!! NO!!!"
I laugh and try to use my Jedi
mind hypnosis skills. "But
look it is perfect."
I take my "copper creations" home
and sew them onto canvases. Larry
has decided to incorporate painted
canvas into his geo kinetic sculptures.
so in some ways "it is perfect",
for we have both been inspired
and are learning to work together.
A grumble starts up from the
workbench area interrupting my
thoughts.
Larry L: Look, all they need to
know is that they are called geo kinetic
sculptures with blown glass from Greg
Lee, German silver (commonly known as
nickel but it definitely sounds better),
copper and brass. Oh, and of course
canvas elements by you. Bajo, February
2nd, 5 pm to 7 pm, free wine.
Got that?
Well maybe we do get what we want after
all
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