METAL MEETS ROCK RUGS

Since I've been using both new and salvaged metal parts in wall pieces, it was only a matter of time before metal began to be used in the rock rugs.

"Caged Rose Quartz"  12 3/4" x 8 1/4" x 2 1/2"   Lori LaBerge  2012

Close-up of wire wrapping.  Lori LaBerge  2012

Rocks are embedded and safely surrounded within their natural homes before being removed, mined, sold raw or worked into finished gems.  The rose quartz shown above has thick picture hanging wire wrapped around it to simulate a caged and trapped environment.   It is more along the lines of keeping things protected and safe from the outside world.   The rougher wire was used to compliment the rough cut of the rock itself.  The rock is set on its own island section of the rug.  The various blues portray water flowing between the various land formations.

"Camelot"  13" x 9" x 2 1/2"  Lori LaBerge  2012

Shades of pink, green, dark gray and off white were used in the rug above to bring out the variety of colors in the piece of watermelon tourmaline.   Again, the thought of rocks being kept safe in a natural home was used.   In this case, the rock is fenced into its own little area within the rug.

  Close-up of watermelon tourmaline rock.  Lori LaBerge  2012

Working on these pieces made me think of how often we confine people or things, not to purposely imprison them, but to keep them safe.  We see children playing out in the streets less than they used to, we keep our pets indoors, we place our money in a bank and we have fences around our homes.  There is no animosity in these actions.  We merely want to keep our children, pets, money and homes safe.  It is interesting how confinement can be both good and bad.

Think about what you keep confined in your life ( I like to keep my work tools confined in their little box and, yes, I'm guilty of keeping my chocolate in a certain place).  Have a great day.