The Essence of Reception No.1, 2021

Mike Sasaki   Emerging artists

The slight curve may suggest a stretching out or reaching, only to terminate in an open connection that may either imply turning back upon oneself in an infinite return loop, or an infinite opening to "cancel the reach". This may sound very abstract, and it is—indeed it was my feeling when drawing this form on paper. The poem below was also written at the time of the inception of the form on paper. After discovering the form on paper, I contemplate its origin and meaning, and devise a title, then in an elaboration on this meaning a poem may emerge. In this case the poem sets the ground for the conceptual connection with the title:

As infinite as space,

So too is Form*—

Yet as subtle as presence,

So too is sensitivity—

As naturally as a leaf flickering in the wind,

So moves the mental barrier

In its blinding transparency—

MS21

*All form in general

On the title: "Once the mental obstacle has been removed, the pure or open "ground" may receive "insight". This particular form (one of infinite possibilities) suggests a "reaching or seeking" with an element of openness/femininity/negativity essential for this "engagement" or reception of the "insight"."

The sculpture  is signed on the bottom including the year, with a pyrograph tool. It is carved from a single block of air-dried western red cedar and the surface is coated with a mineral oil/beeswax mixture. It is designed for chest level and above viewing but finding other interesting angles and lighting is fun. Dust with a soft cloth. Keep a reasonable distance from heat sources. It is foam-packed securely in a double walled box for shipment.