Well, Its been a year since Jon Mess and I were working in the old Bates Mill. Jon, busily constructing his sculptural paintings, and me, documenting his work in preparation for The Maine Arts Commission Conference on Maine's Creative Economy. It was an exciting time. It was an awesome space.

I remember how the place felt alive even though it was full of ghosts. Relics of the textile industry sat in dusty corners, abandoned in huge rooms which were rarely entered. People were working there, in the other side of the building. We would occasionally see them walk by a doorway that opened to a small hallway. The hallway lead to the back parking lot, and I guess the employees would gladly take the slightly spooky route through the old mill, to avoid the freezing weather outside for a few extra minutes. That doorway, across the room, was probably four hundred yards away.

We were occasionally visited by the security officers making their rounds. They were really nice and reminded me of some kindly characters, perhaps playing a bit part in a novel by Stephen King. I remember talking about fishing with them, to let 'em to know we were ok, despite our loud music and the fact that, you know, we're artists.

Jon had gotten permission to scavenge the forgotten warehouse for things to use in his art making. These excursions were fun. Imagine entering rooms the size of football fields. There were tall windows and higher ceilings. The walls were all made of brick. They weren't always very well lit. In some rooms a loom, or some other archaic contraption, would be left behind. These machines would have the heavy and stately look of an old locomotive. One room we entered and the wall was actually humming with the vibration of turbines. They were powered by the water which flows from the canal, through the building, and down to the river below. The same hydro-electric power which made the mill great was now helping to power the mill in its limited occupancy.

Jon found a lot of interesting crap, pulled it off the trash heap, and created some really cool pieces. Its like reincarnation. He has literally taken things that have out lived their use, and given them new life as vibrant and dynamic works of art.

When he pulled himself away from the 18 or so pieces he was working on, he then had to decide where and how to display them. They really looked great suspended above the long central path way through the conference. As one walked down through the vendors and informational booths, a person could look up at his rather large sculptural painting which Jon had spaced at intervals. Hanging them in this way really seemed to draw people through the space.

It is my understanding that the Conference was quite a success. When I saw Jon and Mandy they looked pretty happy. I missed most of the Conference because I had to work, but I am glad to have played the small part that I did.

You should really check out Jon Mess' website. I am also a big fan of his ceramic work, and there are more examples of his mixed media pieces there as well. If you have questions about his Bates Mill project you should email him, he's a good guy, and I am sure he'd like to hear from you:

www.artmess.net

When I am not documenting things, I do some art too. Please check my personal website:

www.ooo-intrinsic.net