New WorK: Litany Against Fear: Collection Vessel

Litany Against Fear- L Reynolds 2011

I've been working on this piece for a while, but now I am happy to say it is finished. It is currently taking up residence in my dining room but soon to be on display in Burlington.  

The idea for this started to incubate in my head last October. Little by little, I worked on it; adding objects here and there, searching for just the right something or some other thing to add. Unlike some of my work that can be very spontaneous, I could picture in my head exactly how I wanted this piece to look. It was just a matter of committing to the piece and finding the right materials. 

I have always been inspired by the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, that appears in Frank Herbert's book, Dune. I used those words as a starting point for this piece. The idea being to overcome your fear you need to let it past through you. Allow the storm of emotion to come forward, always remembering that the only this that is constant and the thing that will endure is yourself. That is how you tackle those things you fear the most.  Each of streamer's that float in the tree bears one line of the litany.

  

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.  And when it has gone past, I will turn my inner eye to see its path. Where fear has gone there will be nothing. 

Only I will remain.

 

Detail: Litany Against Fear: Torso

Close up- Litany Against Fear

Close up: Litany Against Fear

Closeup: Litany Against Fear

Close up: Litany Against Fear: Stand

The streamers

Litany Against Fear: Detail: Streamers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This piece speaks on many levels and I could go on and on about their meanings for me personally, but I feel it's really important to just let it speak for itself. I have plans on showing this and it's sister: Desire at the South End Art Hop in September. It is much more impressive in person, than in a photo.  

Litany Against Fear: Detail: Torso

Litany Against Fear: Detail: Collection Vessel

When it is on display, I will ask viewers to people write down their fears and place them in the vessel. If you can't make it and you want your fear added, please feel free to leave me a comment on this blog post or email me directly. I would love to include it in the work.



And what of Desire? This piece is still sitting on the workroom table. After this morning treasure hunting (aka yard-sailing) I am very excited to get back to work later tonight. I will post more photos of her as she progresses. 

Litany Against Fear: Detail: Torso

"the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" FDR