| in the beginning
Symposium virgin Stephen Yettaw
This all started last November I went hunting on the Internet for stone sculpture
symposiums. I found one in Brazil, that just appealed to me, If I was ever to go to one
years from now, this would be so cool, I book marked the site planning to return. Of
course as my mind is, I forgot about it. (where
is Brusque, Brazil?)
I was cleaning out my computer, when I came across the link; it was updated for 2006 with
only 7 days till the dead line. I knew I would never get accepted, but thought I should
apply just to train my mind for such an event... Now the symposium chose artists based on
their proposals, and previous works combined. (Check
out the Symposium site)
What the.... do I ever come up with.
Well in 4 days I scratched out, and means scratched, as my sketching is yet to be desired.
I scratched out about 20 ideas...
Be original and hey be Canadian eh!
So my first design was Beaver and a dolphin playing volley ball with a ball
over some waves
Then who in Brazil, would even know a beaver if they saw a live one, never mind something
I may have arbitrarily sculpted....
toss that one...
next a few potential future ideas dealing with waves, dolphins, and well decided to
research a bit.
OK now 2 days wasted...
What about Brazil?
Their national bird? A thrush as far as I could find, well could not even find an actual
photo of one, just hand sketches.
Came up with something OK, but no, not sure it was right...
more research..
well
Brazil is considered strongest country, in South America.
Despite centuries of Occupation, and turmoil, Seems they still stay strong relative to
their neighbors.
Show their strength.
Now the Brazilian landscapes are breath taking, and they are a beautiful people.
And if you ever watched the world soccer, you know they have strength beauty
and pride there.
thus " Armipotens Formositas"
Trying to show Might and strength, and beauty with in.
See sketches and small roughed scale model at this time.
Front view, Profile, Prototype Image 1,
Image 2
Now the journey begins.
3 days till the closing of selections for the symposium, I visit with my web
designer Alex. How can his savvy get this application, and all required
material, scanned shrunk, and sent with so little time.
Some how we get it sent it off
30 days of silence, almost relieved that I did not hear back, disappointed I
was not considered.
then the letter.
my proposal was in fact chosen.
with 2 days before left to send an acceptance I was off on another world
wind adventure.
guess I may need a visa...
With 6 weeks of postman volleyball , and 4 days before the symposium starts
I actually get my visa.
was not sure I would get it.
Then packing and unpacking trying to guess what tools I will need and what will be enough.
I am packed.
The evening before I decided to save time by clearing my tools through
Canadian customs before the actual flight.
Well all went smoothly, tools checked, suit cases weighed and off to home to get one last
sleep, and "Oh F(*#**N" I left my travel documents on the suitcase
cart at the airport.
We give honoring credit to the 'honest' person who found it and so kindly decided to keep
my leather case and not return it to me or security. For the record I offered 200$ as a
reward if you would have turned it in....
well anyway thanks for nothing.
(Correction: An apology for the harsh words above. The case was later
returned by a kind gentleman who refused any reward)
But by scrambling around till 3 am, and on the phone for 2 hours, I
mustered up enough documents to get me on my way.
Get to the airport early, waiting for my flight.
All is good.
turn around and the arrivals screen shows the flight left a few minutes
early....
"what the f..."
No one heard them announce the flight, now 30 people are running around
trying to find a united airline agent, and no one to be found.
15 minutes later we reach United airlines by phone, they say the flight is
delayed 2.5 hours, and the Edmonton international airport miss wrote it as
departed, not Delayed........
As we waited for the flight to arrive Canadians and US citizens are
entertained as our brave, (yes I support our troops, ) Canadian forces load 2 tanks onto
one of the Ukraine's famous and mighty transport jets. Waiting to see combat for...,is
this their first time? ( I mean the Tanks, have they ever seen actual battle?)well they
are off to Afghanistan I do believe.
May the Lord be with our troops at this time, and always.
24 hours later I am yes finally in Brusque, Brazil
Special thanks to the support and help of so many friends, and family,as
without you I would have given up the struggle long ago.
They afternoon was spent meeting and getting to know 5 other sculptors, from Turkey,
Italy, Israel,Spain, and Bulgaria. Smiles by all today was a good day.
Tomorrow I meet My Rock.
My own piece of Marble, With whom I will spend the next 30 days, as we shape each others
personality.
I do this as a hobby and a passion, sometimes obsessing, I will admit.
I started stone sculpting to help myself as a person. Probably more
sculpting at my jagged personality than at this fine piece of marble.
Well no score today, no cuts no bruises. And to those who know me, no I have not been to
the hospital.... Yet.
Travel Log
Day 1 the arrival
Day 2 & 3
Day 4
Day 5 & 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
Day 25
Day 26
Day 27: Part 1
Day 27: Part 2
Day 28
Day 29
Day 30
Day 31
Day 31 - Part 2
Day 32 - Part 3
Day 32
Day 33
Day 34
Day 35
Final Overview
Friendly Pointers
|
