The Art
“Chrysalis 2” ©NanciHersh
Etching, aquatint with gold embossed rubber stamp
image size: 6” x 4”, paper size” 15” x 11”;
“Chrysalis 2”, ©NanciHersh.
Etching, aquatint with gold embossed rubber stamp.
The Music
Khrusallis (5:03 mins) © Helen Davey
(for hackbrett, 4 voices, thumb cymbals, percussion, piano, thunder drum)
Artist Notes
Nanci Hersh
A Chrysalis is the stage of a butterfly between larvae and the winged adult. It is a period of enclosure…of going within…of transformation. I began this small piece as a demonstration for my Printmaking Class at Monmouth University in Long Branch, NJ. What began as an exercise in etching and aquatint became a very personal visceral response following surgery and reconstruction for breast cancer
The lines of the Chrysalis and those wrapping around her were a metaphor for the physicality of surgery and reconstruction. They also suggest fluidity, an unraveling that comes with knowing that these feelings, and this situation, are temporal. Like a caterpillar, that weaves a cocoon around herself and emerges, with time, adorned with wings as a butterfly.
Helen’s hackbrett (hammered dulcimer)
My Music
This artwork jumped out at me – it seemed to have so much to say. I was intrigued by the circular lines around the figure and by the golden marks.
In our communication, I was touched by Nanci’s intuitive process in making this piece and particularly impressed by her conviction and inner knowing of the temporal nature of her chrysalis experience. I wanted to evoke the courage of her conviction.
I titled my music “Khrusallis” which is the Greek word for chrysalis, stemming from the Greek “khrusos” for ‘gold’.
Thank-you for spending your time here. I welcome hearing from you via the comments section below; Please feel free to share this around to anyone interested in art & music (via those little icons below).
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Interior and melancholic; pensive and sustained. A sort of resigned journey with resolve and minor keys… Apropos. Sad. Good luck to her.
Thanks Bronle, I was trying to wrap her (the her in the etching) in a musical cucoon of protection as she moves through the “temporal” phase that Nanci so poignantly describes.
Helen, I love what you composed based on my piece… and I don’t find it sad, I find it ethereal and a bit haunting, but I guess because that is behind me I can say that. Thanks to @BronieCrosby- I am well. This is life, the sweet and the challenging and what you have done with this Helen is so lovely. Thank you
Nancy I’m so glad you like this piece. My main intention was to evoke a sense of being in transition whilst going within, to pass through a profound experience. Thanks so much for trusting me with your work.
So glad to hear, Nanci. Behind you is the best feeling ever.
Absolutely!