And Isn’t It So Fun!?

by Shaun Ahmadoour

Photo, Ron Akins

Many months ago we began preparations for Fest Too 2014. Every year I like to take the opportunity to attempt something I normally wouldn’t. The first year I orchestrated a bit of a community mural, where participants took turns painting a large canvas as well as an all-white outfit that I was sporting. The second year I led a workshop on Hip-Hop; what it is and how one might begin, as that is the music I have experience creating. By the third year, I couldn’t remember where I got the idea, but I decided it may be fun to try an installation piece. That wasn’t how I even considered it at the time, I never considered any of these things to be “art projects” they were just ideas that rang interesting to me. The call for art for Fest Too 2014 was for creative projects or experiences that were created in community, with a group of at least 2 or more, that would decorate the space of Fest Too to give the festival an aesthetic and ambiance.
The idea came to me to emulate an “ocean of stars.” It quickly progressed and became known as the “DIY/DIT (Do It Yourself/Do It Together) Lantern Project.” The idea of 100 lit candle flames hanging in the trees was a bit frightening but that problem was corrected and the idea was accepted by the Convergence staff and Fest Too organizers. With the help of other community members I organized materials and publicized workshops that anyone could attend. Participants gathered around in community and using repurposed materials we made DIY home-made lanterns that each housed a single LED tea-light candle.

After many workshops over many months, we made about 100 mason-jars, each dressed individually, by hand, with everything from patterned rice paper to old unraveled tape cassettes. I was nervous, what if they didn’t turn out how I envisioned? What if the LEDs were not strong enough to shine through the decorations on the jars? I would have just wasted months of people’s time and a lot of money. It wasn’t until they were all hung from the trees outside The Lab and lit that I was able to see the vision realized and it was beautiful. The LED lights glowed a very light blue and gave a very calming and meditative atmosphere. Many people took photographs of them and although it’s not the same as seeing it in person even the pictures communicated a sense of the surreal peace that lit Fest Too every evening. Each single Mason jar lantern was special and a piece of art on its own but standing under the trees in the collective light of them gave each person a unique experience.

Once it was dark you couldn’t see the strings that hung the jars and from a slight distance they resembled stars or even flickering lights in an ocean. I was relieved to see the community’s positive reaction to the project. After finally seeing my vision come to fruition and getting over the sense of elief of leading a large project, the chance to see other people’s reactions was the most satisfying part.

I could not have done it without the faith Convergence had in me, and forever will appreciate the support of Lab All Ages (LAA) and the larger Convergence community for all the wacky ideas I may have. If anyone reading this has aspirations of their own I suggest telling someone about your creative idea and getting people together that can help and support you to reach your goal. If nothing else, come find me. At LAA and Convergence this is what we do – and isn’t it so fun to do them?!

Photo, Alexis Baker

(Cover Photo, Ron Akins)