July 17, 2015
(This is part of a 365 project
during my 70th year where I write and illustrate a blog on each
day’s gift.)
Artscape is one of Baltimore’s best annual events—free
too—but it is always held during hot and humid July. In all the
years, today was the best weather I’ve ever experienced at Artscape—partial
clouds, upper 70’s/low 80’s, slight breeze. Perfect.
This is the best of Baltimore where people from all
backgrounds mingle peacefully, share the vitality of the arts and open their
minds to new ideas. This year’s theme is water. One of the first
exhibits I saw was a fence mosaic of repurposed plastic including water bottles
that depicted waves. Kitchen whisks were available so visitors could use the
art to experiment with percussion. Of course I tried it.
The theme continued with a yarn bomb car covered
with crocheted mermaids and fish. A Brocean City area held a stage for
rock opera and not far away people walked through a beach scene with a cool
water spray. Dancers in jellyfish headgear swayed in front of Neptune’s tent.
Fluidity of ideas and joy permeated the scene:
Loring Cornish transformed a former police kiosk into a glass mosaic radiating
positivity after Baltimore’s racial and police conflicts; dancers whirled with
sounds of Telesma’s new-age energy; painted storm drains remind us to protect
the Chesapeake Bay; a Towson student visually advocated “free the nipple.”
Our country’s biggest free art festival runs for
three days, necessary to experience all the layers. Predictions for Saturday
and Sunday warn of a high heat index with possible showers. I’ll take my
umbrella. There are also rumors about a “no pants” flash mob on Saturday but I
will probably keep my pants on.
My
gift today is good weather for Artscape.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can find links to my other posts on this project here:
