Time Take

The subject of time as it moves through the lives of women is the focus of Time Take, a three-way collaboration by photographer Laura Crosby, composer Libby Larsen, and writer Marisha Chamberlain. These three artists, each with established careers in their own disciplines, have come together to create this original work for presentation at the Weisman Art Museum from January 18 through April 7, 2002.

At the center of the installation are Crosby’s 25 large photographic portraits of women from birth to 100 hundred years of age representing the racial demographics of the state of Minnesota. This wall of images evokes the progress of time, reflected in face, hands, posture and expression. Chamberlain’s words, presented visually and embedded in Larsen’s sound as a spoken text, carry the reflections of women, very young to very old, on the passage of time as it affects them. “If I could be any age at all,” the voice of a young girl reflects, for example, “I’d be as old as grandma, but in this body I have now. So I could know what she knows. And be relaxed.” Larsen’s sound incorporates Chamberlain’s words and, following the idea of breath and chant, includes instrumental, natural, and vocal sounds. Photographic images, words seen and heard, and sounds themselves are meant to hold viewers in contemplation of time.

Artists’ Statements on Time Take

Marisha Chamberlain The passage of time is first very much desired, then dreaded. Amazing that a youngster yearns to be older––five years old is far better than three, and compared to fifteen, twelve years old sucks––and then, mourns the passing of her 20s. Later, the woman approaching her 50th birthday confides her apprehension to the 70-year-old who scoffs. “Why, 50?” That’s young. You are still a baby!” And all these assertions are true. My collaboration with Laura Crosby and Libby Larsen allows me to explore this delightful, appalling subject, to look and keep looking at what time does to us.

Laura Crosby Time propels us. We are forced to contend with time, whether addressing a day’s tasks, meeting the larger goals of each phase of life, making it seem almost an enemy. Could time ever be a friend? My challenge as a photographer is to show time visually in the faces, gestures, and attitudes of my subjects, spanning age and race. We as a people move together through time, whatever age we may be at any given moment. How much and how deeply do we dare to know this?

Libby Larsen Music and sound exist in time—whether in formal intervals or in casual utterance. Even the shortest sound has a beginning, middle and an end, as breath does. Days and hours, minutes and seconds have a musical meaning to me, while I contend with time as anyone does: What day is it? What time is it? How long do I have ‘til a deadline? How old am I now? How much time do I have for all the music I wish to write, all the life I mean to live? This project allows me to bring time to fresh consciousness.

Time Take is made possible in part by a Career Opportunity Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the kind support of West Photo. Special thanks to Hank’s Photographic for technical assistance and steady encouragement, Black & White Photo Lab, and to Elori Kramer, Harriet McCleary, Emma Smith, Jane Scallen, and Jeanne Shepherd.