Curious About Curiosity

If one was asked to explain the phrase "curiosity killed the cat" one would most likely respond without hesitation: "Inquisitiveness can lead one into dangerous situations." Who, however, is to say that this is correct?

Many would be surprised to know that this proverb oringinated as "care killed the cat." By "care" the coiner of the phrase, Ben Jonson, meant "worry." Knowing something like this I would expect one would question the true meaning of the phrase.

Does the phrase mean that because the cat acts on curiosity, then that makes the cat foolish, and the foolishness of the cat’s actions will lead to its demise?

Could the phrase possibly mean that because the cat was curious, but too careful to act on it, then the cat will die because it lacks that knowledge or that experience?

Could it not be true that curiosity could kill if not acted on?

Is it not true that the sheer pain and confusion that comes from not knowing is, at times, enough to kill?

Jigsaw

It seems Life

Could be compared to a giant jigsaw puzzle

With each person like each piece,

Having a place where they fit perfectly.

Yet so many in there need to belong,

Grab the first place they come to,

Then try to make it fit

And because of this

They are never quite in harmony

With their adjoining pieces.

Thus they never get to know

The way it was truly

Meant to be.

Mismatch

Feast of lust,
Libidinous and lavender,
Lusciousness and lovelies,
The lonely banquet.

Emptiness dines alone,
In unequivocal bliss,
Alchemical perfection.

Strike me well.
Strike me right.
Strike me stubborn.

Mail Art

When an acquaintance of mine asked if I would consider donating a piece of mail art in honor and memory of Judith A. Hoffberg (1934-2009), illustrating my feelings toward traditional mail, I was sort of lost as to what I should do. I've never made mail art before. To be honest, I don't send or receive much personal mail, so it was difficult to really think about how I personally feel about "snail mail."

I started out with numerous complex ideas. I originally intended to incorporate plastic umbrella (symbolizing the technological advances that hang over our heads, blocking us from traditional forms of communication) that flew through the air, leaving trails of binary code behind them and swooped down to take a stab at a fruit (representing the traditional/more natural forms of communication). As I sat down to construct this, however, I found myself stuck repeatedly. I realized as good as this idea seemed, it wasn't really inspired by anything personal, just what I presently assumed I would feel if I happened to be someone who at one point received personal mail regularly.

Sooo... Rifling through old things I went. After quite a lot of searching, (I've never unpacked.) I found a box of letters, notes, and such that I had kept, from various people who I might have been close with at some seemingly distant point in time. As I read through these, I began to realize even though I speak to none of these people anymore, I have no idea where they are in their lives, and some of them haven't even crossed my mind for so long, their WORDS still meant something to me. The simple fact that this person felt compelled to sit down and write these words, their thoughts and feelings, for me. I, as the recipient, hold something in my hands that no one else has laid eyes on. This handwritten piece of soul is the only one. No one else will ever be given this exact sequence of words, and certainly not in this exact handwriting.

With this in mind, I sat down to create an INSPIRED piece of mail art. While it may not be as complex or as technically advanced as one might like, it is the only one. It will stand unique in the Caldwell Gallery at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena, CA from June 27-August 22, 2010 (opening reception is Saturday, June 26 7-9 PM). After the exhibit it will go to the Judith A. Hoffberg Archive at the library of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

(the back)

(the front)

Judith A. Hoffberg was an avid and active promoter of mail art and artists’ books. Judith was editor and publisher of Umbrella, a newsletter devoted to all manner of art publishing and art exhibitions. In addition to Judith’s work as a librarian, archivist, lecturer and curator, she gave unstintingly of her time and energy to promote artists through her encouragement and connections in the art world.

Kind Thoughts

Everyone knows a kind word can move mountains and change lives. There are times when such words escape, when the right thing wasn't said, and the time wasn't right to say it. For those times, kind thoughts can do the same, sometimes better. Thoughts have a way of lingering, seeking, and finding their intended beneficiary. Unfettered by time and space, it's never too late to think these thoughts, nor can one be too far away.

Thinking of you... Always.