As explained in my intro post, a big part of this project is hanging ceramic hearts out in public. I envision hundreds and thousands making their way out into the world. I am okay with making these objects and letting them go, putting them out in public unattended where people may simply admire them or they may choose to take them or even destroy them. It is up to chance and whatever the outcome, it will all have meaning.
I like the idea of people encountering a random bit of art and smiling at the unexpectedness of it all. Even if they do not know all of my meanings and motivations, they will see a red heart and know it is about love.
Some of the hearts will be hung by individuals and make small statements where they hang. Some will be hung in big public installations that will gain more attention (and where we can talk about our project with people more in depth). Part of the plan is for Kelly and I to raise the funds to do these actions around Washington this fall. We are starting close to home, but we would like to be able to travel to as many cities and towns as possible.
We are selling the ceramic hearts and other related artwork in an effort to raise funds to further this project. We are currently trying to move things very fast to get our project out as much as possible before the November election. But this project will also continue beyond November. We already have a gallery show scheduled for February 2013 at Milepost 5. And we are looking for more opportunities.
I hope you will contribute to this project first and foremost by contributing content – photos, essays, poems, video, etc. I hope you will contribute to this project by sharing it with others. Someone who needs something beautiful in their life. Someone who is already bursting with love. And then, if you can, I hope you might have a dollar or two to contribute so that we can put our full energy into our art. Either buy some art from us or just donate a little something. We value 100 donations of $1 as much as a $100 donation from one person.
The funds we raise will first go to covering the cost of supplies. Then to travel costs to do installations around the state. Then, heaven forbid, to paying ourselves (or others if we can afford it) for the time it takes to make the hearts and related art, to run this website, to do the installations, and to do all the behind the scenes work that makes it all come together. If we are financially able to make this a full-time endeavor, we are happy to pour ourselves into fighting the good fight for all the families out there who are looking for acceptance and support.
Please consider buying one of our affordable, love-themed pieces of art or donating a couple of dollars. Feel free to contact us with questions or with commission requests. Thank you so much for your support.
Tags: art, donation, fundraising, hearts, installation project, love, love is a radical act, marriage, Sam
