Daydreams of a Daydreamer

Weaver, Matthew Curtis

Publication

Daydreams of a Daydreamer

Weaver, Matthew Curtis

Abstract

"What is most truly human about man, what is perhaps his greatest gift derived from evolution and perhaps his greatest resource in his mastery of the environment and of himself, is his capacity for fantasy." -Jerome Singer The mind is inherently restless. Fifteen to 50 percent of our days consist of daydreaming. Research has found that daydreaming is our minds default mode. It brings us not only unforeseen hours of virtual pleasure and joy, guilt and anxiety, but it also helps generate our sense of self and may even be the key to consciousness. "Daydreams of a Daydreamer" is an investigation of my hopes aspirations and desires. Having been brought up in an extremely religious environment and recently "coming out of the closet" there is a continuing urge in my life to resolve these opposing cultures. Though I no longer practice my former religion, I am learning to make peace with how it affects who I am. I chose cement and crochet to represent perceived characteristics of these two cultures, respectively our physical needs, wants and carnal desires, and our need for spiritual well being. The materials mended into each sculpture are a way of mediating between the two. This mending in my art is a way of healing. Much of this healing and resolve comes from the process of making my work. Within the process of life molding and casting I am able to drawing out representations of our physical needs, wants and carnal desires. Partial figures are caste in order to pinpoint areas of tension and relaxation. All the casts are from the male figure as a form of self-investigation. The repetitive action of crocheting is a rhythmic motion that provides me with ample time to daydream. Crocheting becomes a form of busy work, work that tends to let our minds drift and sift through other thoughts. The crochet also serves as a spiritual signifier. The way it can flow, cover and embed itself with the figure but at the same time be distinctive from the body resonates my thoughts on how spirituality seems to support us, give us hope and weave in and out of our lives.