CHRYSALIS

In Chrysalis, I seek to gift you the feeling of wild abandon running through a  meadow—not running for any purpose or health benefit—just for being alive on the earth  and because you can. Chrysalis is necessarily off-balance forward. That’s actually  the only way you can run.  

But how to convey the slow run of casual joy? I hit on the idea of the butterfly  streamers, undulating slowly in the trailing wind. Also, the leading leg prances high  to show a frolicking gambol. The leaning shoulders complete the casual feel. She  looks at the butterflies, not the trail.  

To cap the experience, I adjusted the lines of the arms to flow smoothly with one  another and mimic the undulating butterflies. But she still conveyed too much purpose  in her joyful run. I puzzled over why and finally noticed her left hand was clenched  in my early models. When that hand opened up, I felt the joy. I could then begin to  open my hands to make her physical creation.

A poem inspired by this sculpture:

Transformation

I used to be a caterpillar

confined to crawling

on the ground 

curling up

at every insult. 

But time 

and the magic 

of metamorphosis 

changed much.  

No longer vulnerable

to birds 

my “hairy cat” body

now sleek.

I perform my pas de deux

soar into the air, 

the trees

pollinate the flowers,

beautify your yards.

Mais oui,

you’re welcome.

By Robin Gabbert