Overview
ORIGINAL ART BOOK
This Original Art Book is in the Permanent Collection at the Main Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland.
It is an original textbook modified via collage into a work of Art by Don Griffin. To accomplish this, Griffin used mixed media consisting of india ink, cloth tape, graphite, oil pastel, acrylic paint, printer's ink, wood glue, sisal, and postage stamps, pages of novels, textbooks and encyclopedias collaged onto pages of an existing book.
PASSPORT TO EQUINOX AUDIO VISUAL INSTALLATION
Griffin defines more accurately what he refers to as Audio-Visual Abstraction, a fusion of art and music. That phenomenon occurs in the creative process of making a visual statement in conjunction with listening to improvisational jazz or theme structured jazz. He turns toward the intensely spiritual inspired jazz artists such as John Coltrane, Billy Harper, and others for study and stimulation of the spirit through music. Griffin says, I truly believe that art should be felt as well as seen, and music should be felt and not merely heard.
Passport to Equinox was a project of collaboration from inception. Jazz musicians were expected to interpret their impressions musically of what they received from experiencing the installation created by the artists.
It was the goal of this group of Collaborators to integrate Visual Fine Art with Improvisational Jazz. In this effort it was expected that an extraordinary statement would be accomplished by the participants, to honor the legacy of the musical contributions made by John W. Coltrane. This Collaborative Installation was seeking the Creative Spirit of all there is in Art and Jazz Music endeavors.
Carl Grubbs was chosen as the connective individual to open the "Passport to Equinox" Collaboration project. Out of this project a music composition by Mr. Grubbs [in his own voice] was created as a result of the experience. This composition was entitled "Passport To Equinox" and at the same time paid homage to the legacy of the musical contributions made by the great Tenor Saxophonist, John W. Coltrane.
A hugely influential jazz musician, Coltrane has been credited with reshaping modern jazz and with being the predominant influence on successive generations of saxophonists. Along with Tenor Saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Sonny Rollins, Coltrane fundamentally altered expectations for the instrument. Coltrane received a posthumous Special Citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board in 2007 for his "masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship and iconic centrality to the history of jazz."
Artistically, the installation consisted of mixed media elements contributed by the late Larry Scott, Annie Farrar, Dana Reifler, and Don Griffin. Heavy duty Kraft paper was painted and figures of four men were introduced by Griffin and Scott.
The use of paper was allowed to transform itself into a voluminous wall of sculpture topped with four men. There was an element added of wood construction by Farrar to transform Griffin's iconic "Ladder / Tracks" elements seen in most of his work. Lastly, an intricate paper cutout by Reifler was included to punctuate the statement.
Attached for your enjoyment is the full video of the "Passport to Equinox Installation" accompanied by the original musical composition of Mr. Carl Grubbs.
![Empty Mind[a]](http://www.bakerartistawards.org/files/projects/thumb_emptyminda50430025.jpg)
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