The "ah ha!" moment.
Notes from the deep.
by Karen Kaufman (project organizer)
Each Honu form provides an opportunity to create a piece of art, the opportunity to give, opportunity to inspire, even an opportunity to get back what was put into the project while giving even more.
First, the opportunity to make it happen. Every Honu form involves this thing we call money.
Each Honu form cost $3,000. No mark ups, no profit, does not cover labor, thought or time. It is simply the material cost of the project divided by 50 (there are 50 honu).
Normally when someone pays money for something, they become more attached, interested and motivated. Covering $3,000 can be tremendously fun and thought provoking. It’s probably easy for say, 30 people to come up with $30. That’s $900. Perhaps a donation box could be set up next to the Honu. There are plenty of money raising ideas to cover the cost of the Honu itself. Imagining the ideas to cover the cost works the mind. Not a bad thing!
Next is the design; the art, the concept of what the Honu may end up looking like, with thoughts coming from “outside the box,” nah, wait…the box should just be thrown away! Creating a design, the concept, wow! Now to apply the design and make it happen. This is truly something to be proud of. Not just because of a painted turtle sculpture; because of all the thought and ideas which went into it.
The embellished and delightful Honu is displayed for all to see, for proud friends, family, kids and community. People can imagine what went into it. Yet, it’s purpose goes way beyond the design and art. It is going to provide something for someone(s). This is the chicken skin part. All which went into creating this Honu, from the initial expense, the thoughts, the imagination, the implementation now supports something which, oh dear, must be imagined!! Oh boy! Once again, opportunity knocks to put minds at work. This painted Honu can be sold to the highest bidder at an auction; it can bring in that “thing” we call money. That money can do something. What can it do?!! Who or what can it help?
..................(pause)
A lot of people get stuck at the initial money part. Yet, everything has an expense, in one form or fashion. A different perspective simply shows one more opportunity to learn, to inspire, to imagine.
The opportunity to share this project per Honu is truly amazing, like a door opening to great big ideas. If one person finds inspiration which goes beyond where most would go, well, it just dominoes. One inspiration leads to another which motivates someone else which inspires another….
Be a part of the art.
