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Virginia AbbottArtist Statement"Frozen in Time," the life, death and discovery of the Ebener brothers, is a story that triggered my creation of a visual translation of hope and strength in the face of peril.Over thirty years ago, while riding on a train to Philadelphia, I was sketching. After hearing the Ebener brothers’ story, I remembered the sketch and am using one of the drawings for Vortex 1. Was this new creation the manifestation of some psychic premonition? A subconscious ancestral familial connection or just an interesting coincidence?This is a powerful story and tied to a memory. I was drawn in.Described as an inverted mountain, a new sculpture was framed with building construction leftovers, filled out with juxtaposed junk, as well as reused art pieces. My philosophy is to be green and reuse as many post-consumer products as possible. There is more than love comprising the sculpture titled, "Vortex 1."The focal feature of the sculpture "Vortex 1," can be described as the man in the mountain, the face of the mountain, the magic mountain, or a swirling vortex. This feature is an illusion to trick the mind and camera. As if by magic, the face moves, the eyes follow you and the head turns. Whether you understand the parallax theory, or relate what you are seeing to a spirit world, this art form is my medium, my voice.What is amazing about this art piece is the special effects occurring when photographed. I would like to create a videochallenge. Share the visual effect from the concave portrait. The challenge is meant for YOU. Where is your camera, or your phone? Take the time and be amazed! -
Vortex 1
Frozen in TimeAn 86-year-old mystery surrenders its secrets to climate change, detective work, award-winning science and family connections. Inspiring art...In 1926, four men set out to hike the Konkordiaplatz Glacier in the Swiss Alps, but never returned.A notebook, found in a mountain cabin, was the only record left behind of the Ebener brothers and their guide, Max Rieder. According to their notes, poor weather conditions forced the group to seek shelter in the cabin. They intended to head for the glacier when the weather improved. Eighty-six years later, through the receding glacier, the evidence of the brothers and their tragic fate melted out from the glacial ice.In July 2012, in the Valais region of Switzerland, on the Aletsch Glacier, two British climbers discovered frozen skeletal remains, and artifacts. They found boots, walking sticks, a spike, binoculars and aleather purse containing nine Swiss Francs.1 Subsequent forensic analysis, including DNA testing, confirmed that the the victims were siblings. The Cantonal Police
reviewed records going back to 1925, sifting through280 cases of missing persons from that region.2 There was little doubt that these were the remains of Fidelis, Cletus and Johann Ebener. (Max Rieder did not appear to be among the group.)
A recent scientific study indicates that the frozen river carried the Ebener brothers a distance of over 6 miles and 2625 feet down the mountain. At times, they were buried 820 feet under the ice. Guillaume Jouvet describes how he was able to calculate this using mathematical models in the “Journal ofGlaciology” (2013).3
I love a good mystery, and this story continues to unfold with Internet searches, news articles, scientific reports, climate change events and phone calls to my mother, whose maiden name is Ebener.Could I be related to these men? I am pretty sure I am, but I have not been able to confirm it yet. My grandfather and his family hailed from Switzerland in the Valais region, and his surname is Ebener.This story unfolded miles away, and I found out aboutthe Ebener brothers by accident. A friend of my cousin's read the story in a, South American newspaper and noticed the surname, Ebener, the same as my cousin's. Apparently, Ebener is not that common of a name. My cousin, Harry Ebener, read the article, and e- mailed the link to me.The story reminded me of a 30-year-old drawing I sketched. It was an attempt to illustrate the feeling of being trapped, but then rescued from a crevasse. In that visual scenario, I thought the sketch would evoke a sense of rescue and altruism. But not all are saved, and I struggled with the dark tone. It was this sensation of despair and loneliness that took me back to that earlier work. I considered the plight of these men, trapped in a crevasse, knowing that it was only a matter of time before their untimely, unfair end.A sketch, a story, a connection, a psychic premonition perhaps, a translation made into a sculpture titled "Vortex 1." "Vortex 1" is constructed from discarded and recycled items. An imbedded concave portrait of a bearded man (the face of the mountain) bears witness to both tragedy and salvation. The piece is painted to resemble cold, shimmery glacial snow, slippery icy, andthe deep dark crevasses.A special effect occurs when this art piece is photographed. Maybe it is a call out to the spirits who honor the heroic actions of the ones who save lives of those in peril or connect with the vulnerable on the brink. "Vortex 1" is a vehicle used as a metaphor to all in need, and the heroes that save the lives of others while risking their own. In addition, it shows empathy for the men who lost their lives to a storm hungry for the exhausted.1. “British climbers find remains of three brothers who went missing in 1926 as melting glaciers give up secrets.” published July 2012 - Daily Mail, UK “http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2169731/British- climbers-remains-brothers-went-missing-1926-melting- Swiss-glaciers-secrets.html” by Tim Finan2. The Local, Swiss News. “http://www.thelocal.ch/ 20121123/glacier-bones-traced-to-long-lost-brothers” by Malcolm Curtis. 3. Environmental Research Web Blog AGU 2013: Glacier model helps trace fate of climbers posted Dec 11, 2013 by Liz Kalaugher “ -
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Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette,
Marquis de Lafayette
Hero of the American Revolution
A French nobleman, commissioned as an officer at the age of 13, Lafayette journeyed to America because he believed in the ideals of democracy. He became a Major General in the Continental Army and a close friend, almost a son, to General George Washington.
The Battle of Brandywine
Lafayette was not immediately given command, but acted as one of Gen. Washington’s aide-de-camps. He was at Washington’s side during the Battle of Brandywine and distinguished himself with his bravery. Although wounded during the battle, he organized a successful retreat. Treated by Washington’s private physician, Lafayette travelled to the Sun Inn in Bethlehem for his recuperation. After Washington's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine, much of the American army's baggage and stores were kept near the inn and many people fleeing Philadelphia stayed at the inn. Seven hundred soldiers were treated at the Bretheren House in Bethlehem.
Lafayette was a man of great personal charm. He quickly earned the respect and affection of his fellow soldiers. He was eager to learn all he could from his hero, General George Washington. Lafayette became an important part of Washington’s military family. As the war continued, the interaction of the two men grew and expanded.
Eventually their relationship evolved into a father and son bond. Their two families were close for many years. Lafayette and his son stayed with their American “family” at Mount Vernon when they visited in 1784.
Lafayette College
Lafayette was received as a hero when he returned to America in 1824. There were great celebrations. Local citizens hoped he would visit Bethlehem, where he had recovered from his wounds after the Battle of Bradywine. Easton sent all of its military organizations to honor the aged General, Two hundred men left on a two-day trip, floating and rowing down the Delaware in Durham boats to Phildelphia.
James Madison Porter was one of the lucky men to speak to Lafayette and be completely awed by his encounter. Soon after this meeting, Porter had the idea of fouding a college in Easton. He wrote a letter that was circulated and published in the local newspaper to organize the procurement of a charter of incorporation. According the the secretary, Jacob Weygandt Jr., the group met and discussed the possibility of establishing a college. Col. Thomas McKeen presided over the gathering. It was resolved , “That as a testimony of respect for the talents, virtues and signal services of General La Fayette in the great cause of freedon, the said institution be named, ‘La Fayette.’”
James Armistead was a slave who served the Continental Army in Revolution as a spy and double agent. With his master’s consent, Armistead volunteered in 1781 to join the army. He served under Lafayette, reporting on the activities first of Benedict Arnold and then of Lord Cornwallis during the run-up to theBattle of Yorktown.. He was able to pass on information about troop movements and strategies, he also fed false information to the British.
In 1786, with the support of his master William Armistead – then a member of the House of Delegates – and carrying a 1784 testimonial of his service from the Marquis de Lafayette, James petitioned the Virginia Assembly for his freedom. On January 9, 1787, the Assembly granted the petition. At that time he chose to add "Lafayette" to his name, to honor the general.
D. C. French
Daniel Chester French was one of the most prolific and acclaimed American sculptors of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was a founding member of the National Sculpture Soicety. His works include the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and many historical pieces throughout the United States. He designed the Pulitzer Prize gold medals presented to laureates. His statue of Lafayette captures the strength and classical beauty of the man.
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