popuppoetry

Location, location, location

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It appears that art installations, like real estate, may be all about location, location, location. After the fiasco of vandalized art earlier last week, I intentionally returned to the same site, but a slightly different location. Rather than the quiet north side parkway, I chose a location directly adjacent to the front door of our Aquatic Centre H2O. While my daughter worked out, I installed lights and poetry and stood back all spy like and watched what happened.

Within 15 minutes all 20 copies of my poem and as many tea lights were taken by an interesting variety of people. I overheard joy, gratitude, questions and comments that affirmed what I was doing. The most energetic and positive being a group of tween girls with their enthusiastic YMCA leader who said “Look, this is a random act of kindness (RAK) which lines up completely with what we are doing tonight! Let’s take a poem back and copy it and share it with everyone.” I hadn’t thought of PUP as RAK before. Yes, I was standing fairly close by to hear all this! I also saw people take selfies with the installation. Yep.

The funniest comment was from a boy who was very excited until he saw “They aren’t real candles!!!” Then I returned to my car and received a sticky under my wiper blade. It said “you are special in many ways 🙂 🙂 “ I think it was placed there by those very same happy tween girls! So undeserved, so personal, so WOW.

I want to thank each one of you who spoke kindly and affirmatively when I was feeling hurt about the vandalism. Thank you for your reminders to rally on and not let the darkness win. You know who you are. You are my light.
LA

Sticks and stones may break my poems…

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So it happened to me…vandalism. Here in my town, on a rather cold November night, in a quiet little park beside our recreation center, someone’s unnecessary outburst. I didn’t expect it, though I probably should have by now. My heart was rather buoyed up after placing a collection of lights and words in an Illumination Installation earlier this evening, then took a little tumble when I returned later to retrieve my art and saw this:

popupmess 2in place of this:

DSC_0752 DSC_0742 DSC_0750Sure, I was sad. I wondered who would do this, and why they would steal 50 messaged tea lights and a ceramic pot… I mean, what are they going to do with those things?

For a few minutes, I took it personally. Yep. And, as always, it’s not about me. Thank goodness for those wise voices speaking into my life who remind me when I forget.

So, my dear vandal(s), you can stomp on my lanterns, bend my battery powered tea lights, and tear up my poems, but I’m not going to stop doing what I do. Not yet. Nope.

Light shines brightest in the dark.

Twinkle, twinkle.

Random PUP photos, found on my phone

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A reminder that I really am really out there, even a little more than I remember. I’m out there with illumination installs in the dark of December, development commentary for the land behind our home, poetry tucked into library books, little lights and poems for my neighbours, and various installations in public places including readings.

Reminds me it’s time to get out there again.

It’s up for you, New York, New York

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Get yer tickets gals!!!

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DSC_0083Monday, January 27, 2014, I’ll be stepping up to the mic at Purple Vine Club, to give a talk on living a creative life. And, I’ll be reading my lions share of poetry along with some photographic images that invite introspection and a calm consideration of making the most of every moment we are given.

This event is brought to you by Cyndee Sapiano, passionate leader of the Purple Vine Club, and local go getter. Cyndee is a Coach and Family Educator, Financial Consultant and Investment Advisor. Cyndee invited me to speak.

You’ll also be treated to the unique creative insights of Carrie Harper, talented mixed media visual artist and owner of the heART School, Kelowna. Carrie is a student of all things Art and Spirituality.

And there will be snacks.

Yep, that’s how it will be and so much better if you come out.

Here’s the link to register and for tickets. Only until Sunday at 5 pm. It’s a good deal for a fun couple of hours of network connections, nosh for the body and the spirit.

Come on out. Bring a friend. I’ll be there!

Lesley-Anne