First Lovelock

The first lock has been affixed to the newly designated space for commemorative padlocks! Actually, I encouraged my parents to be the first pair to use a lock to symbolize themselves. My father is a pretty dedicated collector of tools and hardware, so he was able to supply an antique lock for the wall, and my mother used nailpolish to sign their initials on the lock. Initially, I thought that they'd be apprehensive about defacing private property, my dad especially, but they were really excited about the whole idea! After my parents permanently fixed their lock to the fence, they walked across India Point Park and threw the key into the ocean!

PADLOCKS OF LOVE COMING TO PROVIDENCE

After blogging about the Love Locks a while back, I noticed that the only location within the United States that Love Locks were being collected was in Guam, which is a pretty unattainable location for most of us to access. Love Padlocks are a custom by which sweethearts affix padlocks to a fence or similar public fixture to symbolize their love, or they're used to commemorate a loved one. I found myself attracted to the memorial aspects of this guerrilla tradition, and how such simple devices are used to permanently mark emotions, loved ones, wishes, or memories. Naturally, I'd like to have an opportunity to have a collection point a little closer to home than Guam.

So, I've been scouting out locations to start a collection locally. Unfortunately, Providence urban planners have been pretty diligent about not using building materials that would be conducive to having padlocks attached to them. Traditionally, the site of a Love Padlock grouping is on a bridge or scenic outlook; that way the people who leave their lock can throw the key into the water or down the side of a cliff. It's a nice symbolic gesture alluding to how the sentiment that is commemorated by the lock will last as long as the lock is in place. But, here in Providence there is no chain link, or fences with smaller rails by the rivers... Except for in India Point!

On a recent bike I ride, I noticed that the new hardscaping for the India Point Park overpass was done with really nice square link fencing, perfect for locking things to it! And, the location is just a short walk away from the Bay, where the keys can get tossed into the water! I'm going to be making up anonymous invitations to post around in order to get people to initiate the collection... so keep an eye out, or just go stick a lock over there ASAP!Images from top to bottom: Metal chain-link railings at Mount Huang, China, adorned with padlocks, the keys ceremoniously thrown to the bottom of the cliff; Love padlocks on the Passerelle Leopold Sedar Senghor in Paris; Future site of Love Padlocks in Providence's India Point Park.

Bad-Ass Wedding Rings

Wendi Woodland brought these wedding rings to my attention, they are pretty amazing! The set is by Canadian Artist Kiley Granberg. I appreciate the use of simple hardware, and how the pieces actually interlock. Also, I'm really glad that the rings were cast in gold, as the material pushes the concept of value/worth more than any white metal would. Overall, the rings are definitely a humorous pair, and just a little bit sexual...

Check out this beautiful lamp lady! She's painted on the wall of a wig shop/hair salon here is Austin... The detail of the crystal is wonderful, and really has a Victorian feel to it. I also like the how much the mural looks like a cameo, from the design to the colors to the profile. I can imagine a whole group of ladies with different objects sprouting from their heads keeping me company in my studio!

I was recently visiting a friends house, when I notice a captivating collection of iridescent blue baubles in her dining room. Upon closer inspection, the mysterious little beauties turned out to be a collection of delicate brass jewelry with a glowing blue material decorating the pieces.
I was captivated and curious. The iridescence of the pieces reminded me of butterfly wing paintings that my mother collects. The blue quite literally glows with a rainbow sheen of an oil slick in the sun.

Erin, the proud owner of this stunning menagerie, as well as the local store Frog And Toad, explained to me that the pieces were Chinese hair ornaments made from King Fisher throat feathers. Fragile, yet vibrant, these pieces truly seemed to be alive. The stylized designs of the King Fisher jewelry references flowers, bugs, and leaves.

When I went into Frog And Toad the following week, Erin showed me the rest of her King Fisher collection, a few pieces from which are pictured above. Although these pieces have been damaged more over time, they are no less beautiful. In fact, I think that the wear and tear of these little treasures truly adds to their beauty. I really love how the bright colored brass shows through where the feathers are missing, and how the hardware components, when not in use, become utilitarian decorative elements.