The New Orleans Community Music Machine
The New Orleans Community Music Machine is my direct response to Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to create something that would move beyond traditional fine art and actually integrates the viewer into part of the works completion. After a couple of years of reflection and some deep thinking, I honestly feel that if people would have worked together from the onset of the storm, the situation might not have gotten so bad in New Orleans.
Although this piece is called the New Orleans Community Music Machine, sound is rather inconsequential to making this sculpture successful. Music is simply the vehicle I am using to introduce a larger idea. I feel it to be more important that four people work together to complete the idea, which will activate the sculpture as an art form. The whole point behind this sculptural work is to encourage the effectiveness of community. Without communities, I believe people would be unable to function. We as humans constantly rely on one another in order to make it through each day. In order for our lives to maintain balance, we rely on a whole web of people to do their jobs effectively. people working together as a community is the best way to make positive change. My desire is for people to realize that without all four people coming together to operate this sculpture, it is nothing more than a bunch of old rusted metal.
A Special Thanks To:
To all of you who have donated material, time, or money to this project, I would like to thank you very much. Without this spectacular community I could not have created this sculpture.
Bisso Marine, New Orleans, LA
Dobson Organ Company, Lake City, IA
Roger Farrell, Butler, MO
Matt and Katy Pierson, Omaha, NE
Gerard and Midge Stanley, Butler, MO
Captain Gabriel Arnoult, New Orleans, LA
Howe's Welding, Ames, IA
STRETCH, Kansas City, MO
Jennifer Drinkwater, Jackson, MS
Steve Kinsland, MS
Joe Muench, Ames, IA
Chris Martin, Ames, IA
Chuck Richards, Ames, IA
Dr. Jonathan Sturm, Ames, IA
Gerry and Melissa Stanley, Butler, MO
Chuck Stanley, Houston, TX
Holly Bordewyk, Des Moines, IA
Dustin Whited, Ames, IA