Making the "Silver Grove"
In the middle of June singers and dancers were not the only ones hastily getting ready for the XXV Nationwide Latvian Song an XV Dance Celebration. Two weeks before the big event the organizers still had a lot of work to do and I was one of the volunteers who lended a hand. In charge of all the decorations for the 10th time was the very talented Latvian artist and such a charismatic person - Ivars Mailitis. This year he had planned to make two Silver Groves - one in the centre of Riga and another much bigger at the Mežaparks Arena.
The installation "Silver Grove" consists of trees and thousands of small pieces of light gray paper that glitters in sun like silver. All of the leaves of the smaller setting are signed by the residents of Latvia. Our prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis and minister of culture Žaneta Jaunzeme Grende wrote their wishes on the leaflets at the installation's opening ceremony on June 17 and the volunteers had the honor to be present at the event as well.
We however had to make the bigger installation in Mežaparks. Our job was quite monotone and drab, but there is no doubt - the result was hundred times worth the pain in our fingertips. On the first day I was cutting out the tiny rectangles and preparing the pieces of wire so that their lenght was suitable, whilst some other volunteers were cutting the enormous net in smaller rhombuses. On the following days I was absolutely engrossed in binding the wires to the pieces of paper and then tying them all up on the net. We worked for six hours a day and I am sure I made at least a thousand of these leaves, although I gave up counting by the thirtieth leaflet.
It is a wonderful feeling - watching the net hang from the top of the choir podium and knowing that it is all handmade. I am proud of myself and of us - the indefeasable volunteers.
The installation "Silver Grove" consists of trees and thousands of small pieces of light gray paper that glitters in sun like silver. All of the leaves of the smaller setting are signed by the residents of Latvia. Our prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis and minister of culture Žaneta Jaunzeme Grende wrote their wishes on the leaflets at the installation's opening ceremony on June 17 and the volunteers had the honor to be present at the event as well.
We however had to make the bigger installation in Mežaparks. Our job was quite monotone and drab, but there is no doubt - the result was hundred times worth the pain in our fingertips. On the first day I was cutting out the tiny rectangles and preparing the pieces of wire so that their lenght was suitable, whilst some other volunteers were cutting the enormous net in smaller rhombuses. On the following days I was absolutely engrossed in binding the wires to the pieces of paper and then tying them all up on the net. We worked for six hours a day and I am sure I made at least a thousand of these leaves, although I gave up counting by the thirtieth leaflet.
It is a wonderful feeling - watching the net hang from the top of the choir podium and knowing that it is all handmade. I am proud of myself and of us - the indefeasable volunteers.
Here are some pictures I took on day two:
making one after another
a leaflet that is ready to be tied up on the net
what I had made after two hours of working
our glittering nets in the background, hiding behind an unknown worker
a close-up
where our nets were later put up by professional climbers
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My reflections
This project was what I thought it would be after hearing the artist's idea, although there was much more work to be done. I volunteered to help, because I wanted to somehow participate in this nationwide event and this year for several reasons I could not do it as a dancer like before.
The task was not difficult, but tedious and very time-consuming. It required patience and endurance, and the hardest part for me was to overcome my tiredness and keep working. The company I had - Ivars Mailitis, his hard-working sister and other volunteers - definitely made it easier, we gave each other inspiration and the much-needed motivation.
I tried to maintain accuracy through the long hours of work and I was never late. Sadly I cannot say that about mr.Mailitis, who was a typical artist - quite absent-minded and not very punctual. Carrying out his unique idea was fun, but if I had to count on a person like this on daily basis, I do not think I could. I appreciate discipline too much and staying on schedule is very important to me.
The outcome of this activity with no doubt benefits others - everyone will see our Silver Grove glowing behind the choir at the Grand Finale concert. The most important personal benefit was working in a group of 13 people, getting to know them a bit and understanding that the only way to make it happen is by working together.
The outcome of this activity with no doubt benefits others - everyone will see our Silver Grove glowing behind the choir at the Grand Finale concert. The most important personal benefit was working in a group of 13 people, getting to know them a bit and understanding that the only way to make it happen is by working together.
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