Almost as incredible as that may sound, what's equally amazing is that in spite of the fact that they are made up of materials that should lend them a skeletal appearance, there's nothing scary or spectral about them. Instead, they have all the characteristics of living horses, down to the near arrogant carriage of the stallions' heads, the slight curve in their spines, and the multiple strands that make up their tails. As the illustrations in A Life In The Year Of... show, the horses are exhibited outdoors in various environments, and I think you could be forgiven if coming upon one of them suddenly in a field for mistaking it for the real thing.
Once you get beyond the wonder and joy of exploring the photographs of completed sculptures included in the diary and your envy over the beautiful Devonshire countryside where Jansch happens to live and work, it's time to start exploring the text of this particular journal. As the title suggests, she does take you through a year of life with her art, but she also describes a few other adventures as well that may or may not have been part of that year as they exist as entities onto themselves. However, each and everything included in the pages of this book contribute to helping us build a picture of who this person is and gives us clues as to what compels her to create her magnificent beings.
Judging by her descriptions of sore muscles, broken nails, blistered hands, and strained ligaments, the work is not without its detractions. However, none of those difficulties seem sufficient to prevent her from taking on projects or stopping her from working when inspiration strikes. In her forward to the journal she says, "When the muse in on my shoulder I am helplessly enthralled and have to follow her fast. To deny the muse is to deny life." However, at the same time, she also has the self awareness and insight to know when she needs to step away and take breaks from the work. Usually that seems to be for her when she begins to complain about what's involved with the making and has lost enjoyment for the process.
Article comments
1 - Richard Marcus
To all readers of this review.
There should have been three photos accompanying this review, but unfortunately my home blog where I normally host all the photos I use is experiencing severe technical difficulties - somebody has stolen our bandwidth and locked us out of our server - and my photos have vanished. Please follow the links in the review to Ms. Jansch's web site to check out her work as it will help to put the review into its proper context.
Thanks
Richard Marcus