Art for art’s sake blooms at Djerassi

Note to readers: This post is not about Title IX or my forthcoming book. It’s a love letter of sorts to the Djerassi Resident Artists Program for giving me a month of space and time in which other forms of art emerged while writing my book.

I came to Djerassi to write, and write I did. But I also took to heart the entreaty at our group orientation to “Just be.” No expectations. See what emerges.

Part of my being involves walking, and walk I did. Trails led to one vista after another of land and sky and ocean glowing in intense colors fed by spring rains and sunsets. The views balanced the introspection of solitary thinking and writing in my studio, bringing me out of my head and back into the world. Art installations by previous Djerassi residents dotted the land, waiting for nature to take them down. I wanted to create an installation that combined my two favorite parts of Djerassi — supported introspection and being out on this beautiful land.

First, instead of open hillside, I chose oak grove, with the white-noise whispers of a stream out of site. Thanks to Djerassi staffer Tim DeVoe for pointing me there and for clearing loads of brush and blackberry brambles crowding the base of the trees.

My first week at the residency, heavy rains toppled an old oak elsewhere on the property. Workers cut it up to clear the trail. I had my materials. Djerassi staffer Wade Watkins worked chainsaw magic, shaping one of the logs into the beginnings of a chair. What a log it was — with beautiful heartwood and moss-covered bark.

My turn to play with power tools — starting with a super gnarly sander that gouged chunks of wood to eliminate the chainsaw marks and slant the back into a comfortable shape. Then a lighter buffing to reduce rougher spots.

Lastly, I practiced with a router before taking it to the top of the chair to carve the words: Sit with it.

Like some other oaks on this former cattle ranch, the tree had grown into and consumed barbed wire. We manicured the rusty remnant. The chair was ready to go. Three staffers wrestled it into the tractor bucket (solid oak is heavy!) and headed for the grove.

When you first approach the site, the chair looks like a tree stump. I love that.

Closer, the chair and footrest invite you to sit. Rest. Feel your vision enveloped by the oak limbs. Listen to the stream, the birds, the wind. Listen to your thoughts within.

If you’re lucky enough to enjoy one of the public hikes at Djerassi or get invited as a guest, look for “Sit with it” west of the Artists’ Barn.

The magic of “just being” at Djerassi (plus the supportive staff) inspired two other writers in my group to create art installations too — novelist Nawaaz Ahmed and storyteller Lizbeth Vélez. Thanks, Djerassi.