Destination Miami - sand sculpture

This sculpture was nothing much to write home about but to stay consistent with my mission of documenting every one of my pieces in sand, snow and Ice on the Hive blockchain it needs its own little post.

There really isn't much to say about it except it was at a launch party by Aer Lingus for a new route they were starting between Dublin and Miami. I sometimes get asked to do commercial jobs like this and although not my favourite work it does help keep bread on the table between the more creatively fulfilling jobs. I was to work during the party like a performing monkey and produce something to get the point across and entertain the guests and media.

Keep it simple

Because I didn't have much time and because I knew I would be having chats during the evening I thought of something simple and in no way high art. I had built a little wooden box to raise the sculpture up a bit. This was good for visibility, good for my back and good for the audience that they didn't have to witness too much of my ass crack as I leaned over.

I only mention this because my bottom had some serious competition at the party.
It was a simple affair with just a little plane making its way around the globe from Dublin to Miami completed with a sash and the Air Lingus logo. I'll leave it there. For two hours work not too bad. It was a nice evening and my work seemed to go down well with the hot air hostesses.

Not to leave you wanting and to make this post a bit more worthy of your time let me tell you a story of my time in Miami. Gather 'round and listen up.

Miami..... Nice

'Twas the year 1998 (me thinks) that I got a phone call one faithful Friday afternoon. On the other end of the line was a girl I did some work for as a painter. Not many people know this but before sculpting my first professional art job was as a decorative painter ( I'm sure not many people wanted to know this either) I worked for a company called Paintworks and we would decorated pubs and nightclubs doing murals and paint effects. Mostly these jobs would happen in Ireland but we did do some work abroad now and again.

Sinead (The co-owner of Paintworks) was in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and another painter who was supposed to be joining her to finish a job of painting an Irish bar had to cancel at the last minute and they needed someone to take the flight that Sunday and fly to the rescue. I was available and so, said yes.

I figured this would be a nice adventure and I would get to see somewhere where I would never normally go.
I arrived just as spring break was starting off so there were lots of jocks and cheerleaders in town. Not my scene but interesting to witness the debauchery.

Part-time job

I went straight to work but soon noticed that nearly everything was done. There was just one Celtic knotwork Mural on a ceiling to do which we knocked out in just three of four days. It was something that one person could have easily done. To me the only necessity for me being there was to hold the other end of a chalk line to lay it all out. I travelled halfway around the globe just to hold the end of a bit of string.

The bar was nice enough. The owners were Irish American and they had purchased the innards of an old post office in Ireland and had brought it the Miami to use as the theme for the pub. Anyone who had been to a real Irish pub will know that the franchise you see popping up around the world couldn't be further from the reality but people seem to lap it up. The funniest thing is when the faux Irish pubs started to be imported back to Ireland. But I digress.

The owners were nice enough and invited us for dinner one evening in their house. It was pleasant enough as we shared stories from the old country. It was when they started talking about having to bring their dogs and cats to the psychiatrist because they were fighting that I was brought back to reality, I wasn't in Kansas anymore, or Ireland for that matter.

It's a hard life but, someone's got to do it.

Our job was done in a few days and Sinead had to fly home. My ticket lasted another week and wasn't changeable so I was told that I would have to wait it out and take a paid holiday with a daily stipend to cover my costs. I reluctantly accepted and would try to make the best of spring break in Miami.

I am not into that scene. Even though I was only a few years out of college myself and could pass as a jock I avoided partying and instead looked to sightseeing to pass my time. Without transport, it was very difficult and I walked miles and miles because the public transport system sucked. The US is big and without a car, you are screwed. I did get to Miami City which was ok but the highlight for me was the Everglades. Interesting to see the gators and the saw grass. I also had a go in an airboat.

To be honest, Miami wasn't for me. It was interesting to see the place but I couldn't wait to leave, paid holiday or not. It was not really my scene and I avoided the students because they were too loud. The motel I was staying in was comfortable enough with a pool that I would spend my evening in.

The freedom of the city

Finally, after the week, I could go home. I flew with Delta Airlines back through Atlanta. I couldn't wait to be back in gloomy old Ireland. But then another opportunity presented itself. While waiting to board the plane to Dublin the desk staff announced over the speakers that because the flight was overbooked (something which all airlines do) that if anyone would give up their seat they could fly in 24hr on the next flight and would be given a voucher to fly anywhere on the Delta network. I had never been to Atlanta and love free things so put up my hand. I was whisked away to a hotel and given more vouchers for food.

I spent the next day exploring some of the city and then caught the next flight home. It was nice that I got a free flight back to the States if I wanted but I had to use the voucher within one year and I had no plans on visiting the US again without a driver's licence which I didn't have. So I gave the flight to my brother so he could go over and visit some relations in Kentucky. Funnily enough, when he was coming back the same thing happen in Atlanta and he got another free voucher which he gave back to me. I still had no plans to visit again and so we gave it to my mother with the stipulation that she tries to get another. Unfortunately, that was too much to ask of an 80-year-old and she just wanted to get home when she was going home. Spoilsport!

Ok ok, probably not the most interesting of stories but you're still here reading and it is nice for me to put these stories down somewhere before I forget. What were we talking about again? Oh, yeh, Here's the sand sculpture.

alt

Ps

Thanks for reading. I use PeakD to document my work as an ephemeral Sculptor of sand, snow and ice, amongst other things. This will hopefully give it a new life on the Hive Blockchain. Below you will find some of my recent posts.