in the shadow of big blue


In 2021 I had the honor of choosing the writer in residence for Hortus Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for that year, and I chose Ellyn Gaydos. As the residence was for a botanical garden, a general theme of nature was the intention.

The novel Gaydos submitted a portion of was impressive on its own-her writing is impeccable. Later I went on to research her prior publications, and I came across this hard-hitting piece in Logic(s): In the Shadow of Big Blue. When I think of nature, I don’t think of computer chips and abandoned IBM buildings. But of course these are very intertwined and relevant.

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transmission and reflection

The Holocenter, or Center for Holographic Arts, is located in midtown Kingston.  I have seen featured artists here from Japan, France, the UK, Canada, Germany, the US and South Korea.  Holography deals with the recording of the transmission and reflection of light.  A hologram is basically a light sculpture.  I must say the art really doesn’t translate in pictures at all…you need to be present to see it.

I took a workshop here a year ago with the executive director Linda Law.  My classmates and I first learned about the history of this medium, from Law who was a part of the scene in New York since before I was born.  Then we each created our own 3 dimensional art piece using different materials.  Later Linda took us individually into the dark room to shoot our pieces.  Everyone outside of the classroom had to be very quiet and still, so as not to throw off the recording process.  No talking or going to the bathroom, or preferably moving at all.  I sat still in my chair, silent, conscious of the vibrations a chair leg could make if tilted to one side.  

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