“Rorschach”
Cranky Show
This piece is a “cranky” or scrolling picture show. It consists of ink blots made in the style of Rorschach test blots that I painted over with pictures inspired by the beautiful and strange shapes. “Cranky” shows are an ancient artform involving a scrolling picture displayed with a crank mechanism usually accompanied by narration or music. I love this artform and I am part of a group of contemporary artists using this artform to explore modern themes. Flying Cardboard Theater produces a festival of "Cranky" and “Cantastoria” (a related form) shows called Detroit Cantastoria Festival.
Flying Cardboard Theater
What counterspells are present in your work?
This show was a way of summoning and harnessing my mental landscape—the parts that lead to producing creative work and the parts that could be called “disordered.” These parts overlap for many of us. The Rorschach blots are disconcerting and reminiscent of antiquated mental health treatments but are also very beautiful and creatively inspiring. Each of our brains are unique and the things that challenge us and make our lives harder can also be sources for creative exploration. The soundtrack is a tune called “The Banshee” written over 100 years ago, a banshee is a hysterical female spirit. It is being played here by Aaron Jonah Lewis and Ben Belcher.