The Installation...
...a collective of soulful breezes through the delicate lens of artist, Marta Blum .
Collecting is such a meaningful way to create a stirring universe. Being an artist, I am exposed to so many magical pieces and creations. My heart collects them all for eternity the moment I witness them. But of those, I must choose which few I can hold or own physically. That choice is a heavily curated, conscious process.
Collections are often understood through the surface lens of monetary value or simple sentimentality, but they run so much deeper than that. Once a grouping exists, it is priceless and meaningful. Whether it is a set of objects or a shelf of books, it becomes an installation in and of itself. It transforms into a cosmic lens, one where everything within it, including the viewer, becomes art.
When we experience a collection, what we think and feel from it should do exactly that. Transform us, move us, elevate us, while at the same time keeping us intimately connected to the items and concepts the collection holds, along with the creators behind them. When we collect, we build quiet & incredibly personal displays. A series of windows that reflect our own souls back to us.
Seeing a collection come together is a mystical experience. These are profound journeys. They tell stories, move spirits, and remind us that everything which exists is not only a miracle but a portion of shared miracles. We don't always know where a piece has come from altogether, or where it is going ultimately, but we always know where it is, right now. That "right now" is a breath of life, an immortal one that only art can bring into the mortal world. Where a single piece is a breeze, the collection is the wind. Seeing the collection as a "wind made of many breezes" sits us in various spaces at once, something usually not permitted on the earthly plane, and somehow we find this ability, and from it, our spirits are revealed as limitless.
Blog originally posted, HERE.
Your words struck a chord, Danielle. Before moving to Spain, I got rid of all of my physical belongings. Since then, I’ve become far more intentional about what I bring into my space, both in my home and the studio.
You have me thinking about how those chosen pieces stop being "objects" and start working together as an ecosystem that grounds me each day. The idea of a collection being a "wind made of many breezes" is absolutely beautiful. A reminder that what we choose to keep around us doesn't just fill space but it anchors us while keeping the windows open.
Really insightful and thoughtful, Danielle. Thank you.
Such a lovely idea—wind made of many breezes. It also makes me think of ocean waves in the same way. Not so different from each person existing and moving in time around us. 🪷💃🏻🌞