August brings with it – for those of us in the northern hemisphere – the latter part of summer and the promise that autumn is about to get out out of bed and start looking in our direction. But before it arrives there is still time for those who wish to grab the opportunity and have some summer fun – be it a vacation or simply a little time at the seaside.
It is the latter – a trip to the seaside – that Cica Ghost celebrates in her August 2024 installation Summer Camp. While it many not have anything to do with the more formalised affairs families in various countries pack their kids off to for a part of summer, Cica’s setting does have much to offer the kid residing in all of us: sand castles, friendly dinosaurs, happy-go-lucky snakes, fishy cars to sit on, opportunities to dance.
In summer the song
sings itself– William Carlos Williams, The Botticellian Trees
Williams’ work is a fascinating trove; most closely associated with the modernism and imagism movements, both in word and art, his poetry drew on multiple inspirations whiles often centres of related imagery – such as trees.
The Botticellian Trees itself interweaves the theme of trees and reflection on art (or at least, an artist, hence in part the title), but it is perhaps best know for this pair of lines, fully capturing as they do all of the beauty, promise and feeling that summer can bring, regardless of our age. Here, it perfectly captures the essence of Summer Camp.
There’s really not too much else to say about this installation; it is very much something to be experiences rather than read about. The creatures and figures found throughout are offered for sale in Cica’s shop, storefronts for which are perched up on the cliffs overlooking this sandy realm. The fish cars may be static, but they still offer places to sit (and other can – as usual – be found throughout), with a touch of acrobatics / balancing thrown in as well. And then there are the sand castles to wander through and (in places) climb, while for those who’d like more of a bird’s eye view (or should that be crow’s eye view 🙂 ), there’s always the balloon floating serenely overhead.
So – go see and enjoy!
SLurl Details
- Summer Camp (Mysterious Isle, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 