Festival of Lighthouses -- Barbara & Dianna's entry - Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk CT

The End

2010-01-23T12:51:00.002-08:00

So it's over -- now we need to find a permanent home for "Haley". For now she's in a storage cube -- that will be next season's project, along with the new hobby Geocaching. This blog will remain as a resource for any artist or craftsperson who is contemplating entering the Festival. Good Luck to one and all! Enjoy!

And the Winner is!

2010-01-23T12:51:00.001-08:00

Second Place

2010-01-23T12:50:00.002-08:00

Third Place

2010-01-23T12:50:00.001-08:00

Fourth Place

2010-01-23T12:49:00.001-08:00

Fifth Place

2010-01-23T12:48:00.003-08:00

Sixth Place

2010-01-23T12:48:00.001-08:00

The Others

2010-01-23T12:33:00.001-08:00

The Festival goes on...

2009-11-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

We are about 3 weeks into the contest and are so excited about the feedback we have been receiving for our lighthouse. The local newspapers and websites have run the following stories about the lighthouses entered in the competition and we are so happy to be included. If you haven’t gone yet, I encourage you to go see the lighthouses. We have been a couple of times already and we see something new every time we go. I recommend that you start by going upstairs and working your way around. You will find Haley perched nicely in the “otter room.” (The otters are great fun too.)

We would love to hear your feedback as well so feel free to post your comments. There is such a variety of lighthouses this year from the whimsical to the traditional. We’re so happy to be a part of it.

http://www.connpost.com/brooks/ci_13832847

http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/thereddingpilot/aroundtown/42112-for-maritime-aquarian-exhibit-local-woman-helps-create-lighthouse.html

http://www.stamfordplus.com/stm/information/nws1/publish/Entertainment_12/Eighth-annual-Festival-of-Lighthouses-brightens-the-holidays_printer.shtml

Halo at the Aquarium

2009-11-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

We went to visit "Haley" at the Aquarium on Saturday Morning. Since we cast our ballot at 10:05am I'm pretty convinced we received the first vote.

We saw all 23 entries along with a big-ass turtle, and bunch of fish, jellyfish and otters which share their room with Haley.

Happily "The Halo Effect" works in two ways 1) it lights up the Planters can on top of the lighthouse and 2) it casts a glow on the ceiling. Unfortunately, there is a HVAC grate right above so that impacts the effect a bit.

All in all she looks great -- you should definitely go see her. You have until January 18th to visit and vote.

Besides the Festival of Lighthouses -- the Aquarium is really neat and a fun place to visit.

Enjoy!

Shout out to the Trash Providers

2009-11-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

As a Final Recap --The following people were generous suppliers of trash for the project:

Kristin Pereira
John Broghammer
Theresa Korin
Wendy Olson
Samita Tiwari
Evelina Bonfim
Linda Thunhorst
Rocco Tomesco
John Warner
Recycle Bin at 100 Richards Avenue

Thanks to all -- look for your contributions on the lighthouse.

The delivery is done....

2009-11-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

Only one indicent in the delivery -- Barbara cut her hand on the seaglass base. Everything is attached and it works.

The final product is at left.

We saw a number of the other entries -- most of them very authentic reproductions.

The exhibition opens on Saturday, November 14th and runs thru January 18th -- get out there and vote!

Why did we do it?

2009-11-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

We decided to create our lighthouse from trash not so much as a political statement, but more because we thought it would be fun, and we figured we wouldn’t have any issues finding enough trash. As we worked through the project though, our minds really began to change. Admittedly, we weren’t collecting all of the trash we created, just those pieces that were either interesting or just so happened to be the right size or color. We quickly found ourselves buried under piles and boxes of trash, conveniently stored in Dianna basement.

We don’t think people realize how much trash they create when it heads out to the curb on a weekly basis to mysteriously disappear by the trash fairies. Save your trash for a couple of weeks and you’ll be amazed. We have been loyal recyclers for some time and thought we were doing a good job at reducing waste, but what an eye-opener this experience has been. We’re believers now in the importance of doing even more. That’s why we chose to use the recycling symbol as our window. What better way to cap off a trash sculpture but with a reminder to all to recycle, brightly lit by an energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamp.

The angel came from our imaginations. Some people see flowers in the clouds or monsters in their Cheerios, we saw an angel in our trash. Funny thing about angels, they can really show up anywhere.

Dianna

It's all over except for the delivery....

2009-11-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

C'est fini! Finally we're done...well almost.

The angel is all together -- assembling trash in a semblance of order is much harder than it would appear.

I had someone ask me last week what the wings were made of "cotton balls"? So here is a close-up -- as you can see a stuffed unicorn, pinwheel, ribbon, silverware, cassette tape and such.

This is the completed project (with working light). It is @ 5 feet tall. Below is a close-up of the top -- or as I like to call it the masterpiece. The beautiful silverware railing is the creation of Dianna -- rescued from the jaws of defeat -- when our first attempt failed. I love it. In fact I love the whole thing.

A lot of work -- happy it's done. See you at the museum!

The first complete Dry fit!

2009-11-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

Wow -- it was an intensive work weekend, spent another 7 hours constructing on Sunday. I have to say our girl is coming along.

Being an artist is typically a solitary venture -- and I have to say having a collaborator is quite fun! I know I could have not done this without Dianna's inspiration, hard work and implementation skills. She claims to not be creative -- however much of the creativity you see in this piece is hers.

Almost all the blue trash placement is Dianna's and I love it -- you'll have to see it in person to really appreciate all the objects we have re-purposed.

Here is the dry fit complete lighthouse (you'll note there is still some trash to be placed and the railing around the walkway is now more complete -- see below).

Our Silverware railing! One full workday remains (Thursday) and Sunday is delivery day -- 6 days to go.

Barbara

The final stretch

2009-10-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

The base is beach and sea glass -- since no animal remains are allowed we felt it was the best way to go.
The blocks are how we will attach the "angel" portion to the base.

Hunter didn't have a lot to contribute today -- he did however try to eat the tiny rocks.

This paintcan was the practice one. The recycle sign is too big and the lightblub would look quite bare. We've even actually opened the light kit.

The railing of the deck (to be made from silverware) is started as well.

Dianna did a lot of work on the angel background. It looks great lots of variety and volume. It's really coming together. Tomorrow I should have a picture of the assembled work!

Trash is a Smelly Business

2009-10-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

With Barbara on vacation having some fun in the sun, I have continued to work on the lighthouse. (This is where you feel sorry for me for being stuck in my basement while Barbara is sipping margaritas at the pool.) Last night, I made significant progress on the background. There are only a couple of areas where I need some larger items, but it is filling in nicely.

One piece of advice for those of you interested in creating your own trash sculpture…..CLEAN the trash first!! One of our generous trash collectors gave us a very pretty blue shampoo bottle. I was so excited that I just couldn’t wait to add it to our lighthouse. After drilling through the bottle and attaching it in a prominent place, I noticed a slight ooze coming from the bottle. Yep, it wasn’t quite empty yet. So now, not only is our angel beautiful, she smells nice too.

Happy Trashing,
Dianna

Our Mascot and his new duds!

2009-10-18T17:37:00.001-07:00

Hunter, our Mascot -- AKA "The Wooch" is guarding the angel in a rare moment of calm. Usually he is look on her for a toy he can play with.

He helped today by chewing on a water bottle to make it look more trash-like.

We can't work together for the next two weeks -- so our next joint work day is Halloween. In the meantime Dianna and Hunter will continue to add trash to the lighthouse and Barbara will start working on the "Lightcabin" -- a paint can with the recycling symbol on it.

Halo to "toe" view

2009-10-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

Here's our Girl -- the background is starting to take shape as well. Any guesses as to how much trash we used. We are starting to think about a home for her "after" -- perhaps a trash museum.

2009-10-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

The angel has taken wings -- that actually stick off the lighthouse. It's really starting to work and fill in. Below is a closeup of her upper body. 22 days to go

Looks it IS an angel

2009-10-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

27 days to go --

Call me crazy but I'm really starting to see the angel. The doll head makes all the difference -- I can even make sense of the wings. Anybody?

Hunter makes a bid for Full Artist credit

2009-10-13T19:20:00.001-07:00

We think Hunter has decided he wants to be more than a mascot. He took a tile sponge and ripped it very artistically in smaller bits which will look much better on the lighthouse. He's a joy to have around!

The end of the weekend....

2009-10-11T18:35:00.001-07:00

We're working on alternative for the face. I like the duck, but I have to agree that it isn't quite playing yet. It is certainly coming along, we've even starting talking about the lid.

Hunter makes a great mascot. He definitely wants to help.

The work progresses

2009-10-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is the lighthouse after Saturday's work. The wings are on and the dress is started? Dianna still doesn't see the Angel. Do you?

Hunter's New toy...

2009-10-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

For a good mascot -- there is always an alternative.

Hunter's the Avenger!

2009-10-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hunter really like the little blue bear attached to the bottom of the lighthouse. He's really trying to release him! He was denied -- so he found an alternative.

More Trash Collectors

2009-10-03T17:51:00.001-07:00

Rocco Tomesco
Theresa Korin

The Trash hits the Cardboard!

2009-10-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ok...it's only a few items, but we know it works -- right? Now we're looking for a 18" circular pan, tray, lazy susan...whatever. However, the angel is looking, well somewhat like an angel... see below.

Do you get the idea? Still on the hunt for some more small blue items.

I think it looks precisely like an angel. I'm not sure Dianna does yet...but she will I promise and so will you.

Hunter our new mascot had a lovely time digging thru the trash and trying to steal each and every stuffed toy. He's adorable and just trying to be helpful -- we had entirely too many stuffed animals. Tried to get a picture but he was too fast for us.

37 days to go...

Trash Collectors

2009-09-29T07:15:00.001-07:00

A quick shout out to our Trash Collectors (so far).

Kristin Peirera
John Broghammer
Linda Thunhorst
Samita Tiwari

Thanks!

The Plans are laid...

2009-09-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

Finally the real work begins. If you look closely you can see the drawing of the angel on the cardboard concrete pillar mold that will be the base of the lighthouse. You can see the actual angel drawing in the background which we will use to layout our materials. On top is the platter that will be the walkway.

At the base of the mold is Gigo my bengal cat -- after Wednesday (the next workday) his assocation with the project will end. He and Mojo will miss having the trash to play with, but are happy to pass mascot status on to Hunter the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

White (and other colors of) Trash

2009-09-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a little slow for trash recon -- the rain did not help, but we are accumulating. Got a platter for the walkway -- now we just need to figure out the railing.

Work starts in earnest on Wednesday. 40 days left!

Awesome Trash Artist

2009-09-25T19:27:00.001-07:00

Time Lapse of one of my favorite "trash" artist's work. Tom Deininger.

http://www.tomdeiningerart.com/selfnew.html

Preparation Weekend or Trash Hunt

2009-09-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

I've been haunting Craigslist for Tag Sales. I need about 6 boxes of appropriately colored trash with a little volume (not flat). Dark Blue, Purple and Green are the most in demand, but Yellow, White and Metallic are a close second. We are still searching for the perfect railing.

I got a manual typewriter today, which I plan to disassemble this weekend so we can use the individual pieces. It is blue -- but light blue.

Last weekend I went to a tag sale and found a box of action figures. I asked how much and a young boy came over and told me 25 cents each. I said that was too rich for me. Mom came over and offered me the box for a buck. Sold!

I have about 1 box now -- so I need 5 boxes in two days. Wish me luck!

The Plan - The Halo Effect.

2009-09-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

After several weeks of brainstorming and culling we have the plan. A lighthouse made from a Cardboard mold for a concrete pillar 4 feet tall and 12 inches in diameter -- some kind of 20 inch plate as the walkway, a paint can as the "light box".

On the cardboard will eminate the image of an angel. An angel rendered in...well..trash. No not garbage -- trash. Or more politically correct recyclable material. We are looking for stuff with some volume but not too much -- it has all got to be fastened securely to the Lighthouse.

Did I mention it has to be a working light?

Are you thinking -- It's not due until November -- why do you already have such a detailed plan. Because you have to put a lot of stuff on the entry form.

The Contest Begins

2009-09-22T04:08:00.000-07:00

The Norwalk Maritime Aquarium has an annual contest called the Festival of Lighthouses. We (Dianna and Barbara) decide to enter and build one. The first thing we tried to do was find pictures from previous years -- very few were on-line. So to both entertain ourselves and provide more information for posterity and future entrants we are starting this blog. We have about 50 days to complete the project.