Like Sea Glass: A Hand Full of Light, Echo or Shadow, 2019-2021

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

Nantucket Whaling Museum, Nantucket Island, 2019 through 2020

Like Sea Glass: A Hand Full of Light, Echo or Shadow

“...In this enchanted mood, thy spirit ebbs away to whence it came; becomes diffused through time and space;”
- Herman Melville

Years ago when my children asked what is there to do on Nantucket in the wintertime, I had heard a whale washed up on the beach in 'Sconset.

When we arrived there was a crowd gathered around a huge, dark shape. As we walked closer the whale came into view and how spectacular. A mix of emotions from sad to absolutely exciting and overwhelming; to be that close to a real whale was unprecedented in my children's lives or mine. There was no yellow tape, there were no "guards," just a 46' Sperm whale that had lost his way and sadly ended his life on Nantucket. I counted his teeth! The privilege and irony of creating art under what remains of this magnificent creature is an incredible opportunity, the same teeth where they were when I counted them on the shore, the many vertebrae extending elegantly for all to witness. To honor and remember this whale, that wished no one harm, is a reminder of his massive beauty and grace.

These marine mammals are more like us than we sometimes care to observe. What can we learn about ourselves?

---