It never occurred to me that we would look homeless. I didn’t realize we would appear freshly body-bagged or like we had all joined the cult of whoever kidnapped Elizabeth Smart. I didn’t think we would resemble refugees, religious icons, or giant duodenums. And I certainly never imagined the moral implications about the frivolous way I spend my moments. I just had this idea I couldn’t get rid of.
Gather some people, wrap them in bedsheets and lay down on the ground like walrus do.
The idea came several years ago, but it was a hard sell. I once tried to establish the photo as a birthday present to myself, “Hey Ed what do you want for your birthday ” instead of saying ” Oh nothing” or ” a Target Giftcard” I would say, “just wrap yourself in a sheet and lay down and cuddle me like a walrus.”
But I never had the balls. What if no one comes? What if they come and it’s stupid? I talked myself out of it year after year….But I couldn’t let it go. I started using Walrus Cuddle as currency. Instead of betting 5 dollars ….I would bet “Hey, if I am right and you’re wrong, you have to walrus me.”……no one would dare take that bet.
Why was this idea so relentless. I probably have 5 – 6 truly questionable ideas a week. Most are terrible ideas. Just terrible. My Magic Spork for instance or the time I thought lime green bangs! Cringe worthy…but accomplished. Maybe that is what this is about, accomplishing the things I think, The doable things. I can’t just build my dream community of hobbit homes or lose 120 pounds in a week. Maybe bringing small ideas to fruition no matter how bizarre will offer me some sense of control, like crossing the easy things off your to do list. Oh no, wait, what if I am distracting myself from the real stuff with the small stuff.
I thought and I thought.
And then I discovered an imbalance in my life. Not just in my brain chemistry! It is an imbalance in my work. I spend my days delving into specifics, honoring individual characteristics, with my ” Life Sandwich Portraits” I celebrate the unique qualities of a person or a family, their quirks and inside jokes, the little traits that make them special. I do this in all of my work, as an artist I look for what is different, when I illustrate, it is the details that make it stand out. I put so much under a microscope that I forget to turn around and look through the telescope, to see the big picture of how we fit together.
This realization really moved me to want to celebrate the group, the mass of us. Not just the beautiful differences that make us unique, but the very core of our sameness.
I think this walrus snuggle project answered that need. The pictures were not about who we are as individuals, which face or smile is whose, but how namelessly we group together….I probably could have just played a team sport growing up, to feel that “oneness”?
What I liked about this: unlike most public things in this world, it doesn’t matter what you look like here, what’s in your pocket, how you wear your hair or pronounce your words, it didn’t matter what the whole rest of the day was like, it was just one glorious moment of blending in and I found that refreshing.
I have drawn the conclusion that bringing an idea to fruition is a stepping stone. It helps you reach the next idea. This walrus snuggle photo shoot was important in a way I am not even sure of yet, but I can feel it in my bones. I didn’t know what it would look like or feel like. But now, if anyone asks, I have the answers. It looks a little like angry mobsters rolled us up “to sleep with the fishes”. It was unexpectedly religious. I was going for Walrus and came up Virgin Mary….Who would have anticipated that? I am adding this knowledge to my resume under special skills.
If I haven’t lost you , THERE IS VIDEO from Our Net News you can watch it here, but do yourself a favor and skip my ramblings Minute 2:20 is where it gets really fantastically weird! like you’re gonna want it for your ringtone. Watch the video at OurNetNews.com
So many people to thank.
Kurt Stradtman My wonderful photographer, friend, author, psychic, interesting fella.Check out his website do it now and sign up for his newsletter! you can also pre order his latest book!
Thought about chopstick tusks or photoshopping them in….but then didn’t.. For me it was more about behavior than actual resemblance…..but then my friend Charity did this and it is hilarious!
Charity Goth Girl GG is a great photographer, illustrator, designer, costumer and all around creative person. I love how some people just stand out in a crowd even when you try to make them blend in to a walrus pile, haha I love this pic,
Check out her shirts!
Many thank yous to amazing auxiliary photographer Gwen Hill! The Pilliard Dickle for bringing the soundtrack. And all the people who bravely showed up to play. I have no idea why anyone would agree to do this, but I am so glad that you did! It was a motley and wonderful crew of talented artists,musicians, neighbors and friends..Oh and this one normalish guy who not only showed up, but showed us all up, he really committed and wins the prize for most incredibly unexpected awesome walrus imitator. You know who you are.
Order Walrus Snuggle Prints Here
Note: The image is a composite made up of photos from a lot of different cameras.
