Safe and Sound

The word, sound, has multiple meanings.  In this case, it is used to mean secure, in good health, and peaceful (as used when describing sleep).  In my experience, the phrase, “safe and sound,” is related to childhood memories.  When parents tuck their children into bed at night, they tell them they hope they sleep “safe and sound.”  It is also a common phrase to use at the end of a trip to let people know you arrived safely, without incident, unharmed – “I have arrived safe and sound.”

Safe and Sound is a place where all people are welcome.  Anyone can come hang out and know they are amongst like-being people.  The structure is built using easily recognizable materials found around Mänttä in hopes everyone feels comfortable approaching and interacting with the artwork.

Ripple Effects of Our Footprints

The lake was glass - like nothing I've ever seen before.  I stared at it in wonder.

I walked out on a dock to get a more immersive vantage point.  To my surprise, it was a floating dock.  I could immediately see the effect I had on my environment as my movement created ripples in the lake.  My presence changed the scene.  The lake was no longer like glass as the weight of my being rippled across its surface.  I sat down on the dock and stayed in this experience.  Time was suspended as my ripples carried out farther and farther.

It sounds so simple, but my whole being knew at that moment how important

every-

single-

thing-

is. 

When I was out there I wished everyone could go there independently and experience nature.  Nature unifies us and has a way of bringing me back to remember my true priorities that are so often swept away in our time-scheduled busy lives.  In this moment, time did not matter for me (I am fortunate to have a very free schedule here.).

The image is flipped upside down because while I was out there, part of what my whole being understood is that we, humans, sometimes do not know which way is up.  Some of us are completely backwards in our thinking.  We are not masters of this planet or of each other.  We are Part of The Whole (see Peter Reason).  We are participants in this living breathing community.

The ripple effect follows its typical symbolism.  The weight of my step caused ripples out into the entire lake.  We typically associate our “footprint” with ecological issues and responsibilities, but in these moments at the lake, I understood it as everything - ecological, social, evolutionary, etc.  Everything we do or don’t do has a consequence.  We are empowered to create positive effects all around us.

Inspired by guys at the bar who try to teach me how to play pool (billiards)

They are turned on when you walk by them.

Materials:  fans, lights, plastic, blue painter’s tape, motion sensor, electricity, passersby