In Ali’s class we’ve been talking a lot about altars. Altars can be ancestral shrines, a tribute to a person or intention. It’s usually very personal to the person who created it and to who/what it is honoring. I’ve seen many altars on the side of the road put in place by families that have lost someone in an accident or Hindu altars around India worshiping specific deities. I don’t think I’m super spiritual so I have never created an altar honoring an ancestor or deity but when I think about it I might be building altars wherever I go.
I have moved every year for the last seven years and now that I’m in New York, I’m moving more than ever. Every time I set up in a new room I re-arrange my little chachki’s, notes, artifacts, letters, pictures, projects, etc around me. They are my home. I started out in New York a few months ago with really few things but through my time at ITP I’ve collected all kinds of stuff/materials and, more excitingly, things I’ve created. Below are images to my altar(s) to creating and my creativity.
Maybe I didn’t intentionally create these altars but I did intentionally arrange my silly creations in a way so that I can see them every day. Among some embroidered pieces and wood projects I have a plant and some special things made for me from my boyfriend. My favorite is my “Pri Shed” sign he made for my first ever she-shed/art studio. I don’t have a separate studio space anymore but I’m learning that I can make art anywhere. The Pri Shed is wherever I am!
I’ve also got some pictures and artworks hung up from my friends. Candles, calendars, and to-do lists to keep me accountable.
I feel like a desk or work table can be considered an altar for artists. I’m trying really hard to keep mine clean in my new place. I also really love flowers and nature but living in the city and being so busy with school I haven’t seen any real flowers in a long time. So I’ve made some arrangements with fake flowers. They’re colorful but don’t smell as good as the real thing. The altars around my room are good reminders of what I’m capable of and people or ideas that support me and keep me going in my journey in makin more stuff.
