Shay Church-Hands Across the Horse

Artist Shay Church from Kalamazoo Michigan brought together artists at Sacramento State University to hand sculpt an impressive 7 headed horse which is on display at the Sacramento State Library University patio this 2018, Spring semester. The 7 Headed horse is an appropriation of Uchchaihshravas. A Hindu mythological figure. Shay was procured by Sacramento State professor of sculpture Scott Parady to participate in Concurrent/Convention: A Spectrum of Contemporary Ceramics  exhibit  as a visiting artist where he invites students on campus to assist with sculpting the 7 Headed Horse as a way to give back to academia and teaching his methods of sculpting to students.

I entered the library patio just at the right time when the artist finished the temporary installation where I spoke with Shay about the project and took pictures of the crew. The 7 Headed Horse is formed with clay on a wooden frame anchored to a wooden platform. The clay horse will not be fired. In fact, it will be left as is to develop its own character as time deteriorates the clay mass. This can be viewed from an archeological point of view. Digging in the dirt and what is found?  And what has time along with the elements done to it? This is also a way for Shay to express this concept. 

7 Headed Horse | Photo credit Moises Castillo

The Artists and 7 Headed Horse | Photo Credit Moises Castillo

/'bäskij/

/'bäskij/ installation by Dan Cao and Dominque Garcia |Photo Credit Moises Castillo,2018

January 22nd-26th, 2018.

This installation piece tickled my fancy. All five senses captivated starting with my feet.
Upon arriving at the Witt gallery fellow artist Nathan Nguyen was the gallery attendant, as he requested that "I clean my shoes prior to entry", I then ask if I could take them off instead- per his suggestion- I took them off. A tarp approximately 15 feet by 8 feet covered the installation entryway. As I slipped past the tarp and into what felt like an abyss of warm glow and delicate lunar atmosphere.., it was then my feet touched a loose fluff of texture that covered the entire floor.  To me a delightful reminder of walking meditation merging together with the visual resemblance of a dark night on the beach staring into the vast nothing but your imagination.
After my first impression, my eyes adjusted to the dark environment and I noticed the glowing tent breathing with light. The light inside the tent offered a tranquil peace that everything was safe, and the simulated vertical tree trunks added the finishing touch to the collective world of being outdoors in my own lucid dream. I danced, meditated, and got comfy cozy. This for me was a refreshing moment that inspired for me merging Zen and beauty with warm and comfort of contemporary art.