One of Holley's most famous yard art
sculptures: 'Support for the Burning Spirit'
A burned house in the neighboorhood was the
occassion to make this work. On that specific spot he found the attributes
from which this sculpture is composed. This event made him realize how
vulnerable the position of man can be against the forces of nature, in this
case fire.
The basis exists of a big role of unprinted
paper. The end of the role is shaped in such a manner that it gives the
suggestion of a flickering flame. Man adopts his power from the written word,
but the fire is capable of destroying everything. From the center of the role,
two blackened crutches are sticking in the air, positioned in such a way that
they form a standing triangle. Between the two crutches, a couple of
intertwined iron coat-hangers with the remains of charred and scorched
clothing.
The sad story behind the scrutches and clothing
is represented in a very emphatic way. In Holley's metaphysical way of
thinking, a fire also has a purifying effect. True, it destroys the material
world, but it also forces us in the direction of the spiritual world for
finding an explanation for such a disaster. Man on his own is a weak creature,
witness the crutches. He can feel strongly only when he is conscious about the
cycle of things and when he is concious of his past, the present and of the
future generations.
This is Lonnie Holley's message to the world,
packed in the sad remains of a destroying fire.
For more information on Lonnie Holley's >
