If you don't know what ekphrastic means, you are not alone. I was educated by the wonderful Cindy Stovall in her insightful and articulate review of Secret Language of Intimacy and interview with Saumitra Chandratreya for Creative Pinellas. You can read the entire excellent article here.
The Poetry Foundation describes Ekphrasis this way: "An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning. A notable example is “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” in which the poet John Keats speculates on the identity of the lovers who appear to dance and play music, simultaneously frozen in time and in perpetual motion."
As Ms. Stovall points out, Saumitra and I have turned ekphrasis on its head because we "didn't get the memo-and we are the better for it." Rather than the visual art being created first and an interpretive poem written after, I have written verses that "are beautiful, powerful, gut-wrenching at times-just like love" which then touched Saumitra and "inspire(d) the abstract design of the fabric".
Ms. Stovall is not the only one to be moved by Secret Language Of Intimacy. David Warner, editor of duPont Registry of Tampa Magazine( PAGE 93) put it this way; While "a labyrinth of emotions depicted on hanging fabric panels...is, of course, accurate, it doesn't fully convey the transfixing effect of Chandratreya's ethereal chiffons married with the disarming insights of Mooney, enveloping the viewer in a meditation of love and language. Go get lost in it."
I am honored and humbled by their praise and thank them for making time to see this moving installation in person. The exhibit has been extended thru April 17th so there is still time to make plans to see it for yourself. I will be there Tuesday March 30th after 5:30 if you would like to join me. Otherwise I suggest you contact Saumitra or myself directly and make an appointment to visit due to special events that may be occurring at TheStudio@620. Address: 620 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL.
Please be aware TheStudio@620 is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to local artists and can use your support with a donation. Thank you.
This Installation was made possible by a grant from Creative Pinellas, Pinellas County, FL