February 21, 2005

How's it Hanging?

By Lance K. Pugh
For the Tidings

The members of the tribe sat, transfixed, around the evening fire. Embers leapt skyward as the coals popped and spat, causing the viewers to become hypnotized by this most basic and entrancing event. The melodious rhythmic beat of drums multiplied the effect and consciousness morphed into spiritual insight. The travails of the day were dropped like a fallen cloak as eyes drifted skyward toward an uncountable number of stars shining through the clear, crisp, night sky.

I sat and gazed upon the glowing embers, eyes unfocused with my mind rapidly expanding. My day now light-years ago discarded, I listened to the tribal beat while I leaned back to gaze upon the stars, unleashing a primal, yet transcendental understanding of the nature of all things.

"Excuse me. Can I get you anything?" came a voice from far away.

I first thought of ten thousand Egyptian slaves marching lockstep toward the pyramid of Giza, then, in a burst of illumination saw a medieval castle with flames leaping skyward, somehow moving slowly across some vast, flat desert. The Big Bang then sharply reversed itself and in a snap I opened my eyes and saw…a waiter at The Black Sheep in Ashland, Oregon, standing beside me, wanting to take my order.

I found myself sitting on the sofa, in front of their fireplace, listening to the music while gazing upon their star painted ceiling, having let go for a few seconds to again experience a modern version of an ageless experience: communing with the universe.

What drew me to the Plaza this evening was the unveiling of The Black Sheep's new blown glass chandelier. This is not your Miss Kitty, Dodge City saloon crystal deal. It seems to breath and throb, much like a creature from some tidal pool or, dare we say, from the caves and caverns of Mars? Enthralled by its' beauty and intrigued by its' form, I had driven myself away from it, like a smart moth from a flame, to sit and ponder how the hanging 300 pound glass piece had so focused my attention.

This amazing piece of illuminated sculpture is the brainchild of David Aaron Gelfand, 36, a local artist, hospice volunteer, arborist, carpenter, tofu-maker and all-around talented and busy fellow. From his background in glass blowing and metal work he has fused his gifts into illuminated sculptures that speak to our timeless minds in these days drive-though java huts, and cartoonishly toned cell phones.

David studied glassblowing in college, toured with a rock band for 7 years then got involved with metal "healing sculptures" (think metal pyramids), then flowed back to glass in the Denver/ Boulder Colorado area. He built up a burning desire to express his "soul, a leap of love vs. art out of fear" this meaning, just creating what would easily sell. One look at his work and you'll instantly understand that his art incorporates nature and man over the eons, from the first fire in a cave to a pint and a plate of fish and chips.

Susan Chester, owner of The Black Sheep, first met David Gelfand at Burning Man three years ago. She recognized that he was the man with great talent and imagination. When she later asked David if he could fashion a "go-go pole with shade" for her and her partner, Garth Sahli's Playa Sand Castle which was deployed to Burning Man this year, this as Ashland's main entry into the tribal desert dimension (http://www.highonadventure.com/Hoa04dec/Lance/Burning%20Man.htm).

For the Burning Man effort David blended a dancing pole with a metal palm leaf cover, then, just for hot licks and kicks, he and Garth installed a propane torch which fired a flame twenty feet into the night in spurts and fits. Everyone said that it was a gas.

The official unveiling of The Black Sheep Chandelier will be on March 4th, starting at 5 pm, this part of the First Friday Artwalk. David will have other examples of his art on display for the event. One of our local wineries, Weissinger's, will showcase a new white wine release, a 2002 Petite Blanc. They describe it as "tropical fruit, beautiful balance, food-friendly, off-dry." Put it on your calendar and drop by to have your eyes opened and your palate danced upon by a delicate local offering.

(Let Lance know your feelings about his columns by digitally clubbing him at: lance@journalist.com. He also invites your interest to his blog: http://essentiallyashland.blogspot.com/).