Last Wednesday morning, I was walking my dog. It was 6:30 am, and it was garbage day in my neighborhood. As I went up the street, lo and behold, someone had thrown out an enormous mirrored disco ball. I went over to it, heart pounding and examined it. A few mirrors missing and a small dent. But it was too big to carry and walk my dog. So my poor dog was dragged through his walk, so I could get home and drive to the mirrored sphere and put it in my trunk.
When I got to work, I decided to place it on the floor of the studio and turn on one of the overhead projectors to shine on it.
This was to be a pure provocation.
No announcements of it’s arrival or declaration as to what one could do with it. I sat back and watched.
I watched joy and discovery, quiet flickers of solo encounters
and group interactions that danced, shouted and whispered.
I watched mystery and suspense.
I watched poetry.
A moment.
Many moments. 
And still, I watch.
It is fascinating and engaging for both the children and myself.
So as we ponder what is educational, what is creative, what is important, what is hands on, what is intuitive, what is learned, what is science, what is thinking, what is collaborative and what is reflective…let us remember the possibilities of this encounter.
“Light is the symbol of truth.”
James Russell Lowell
Disco night!
Now I know why Eve has been talking about disco balls constantly and making them at home!
Your rescued disco ball reminds me of this quote I love – “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it” -Edith Wharton
LOVE that top image of the glowing disco ball with the children. Very proud of you for sharing it at school and not installing it in your kitchen, I know you must have been tempted .
Isn’t it amazing what “treasures” you can find on trash day?!
The photos are fantastic. Must get a disco ball for my studio!
The photos made me smile. Your words gave me goosebumps. Every day needs sparkle and shine. 🙂
Just last week for our Children’s Day celelbration at school I borrowed Miguel’s disco ball to loan to the “disco room” and after school when most of the students has gone home I went to get it to bring back to my office. A K student had fallen and hurt his knee and he was crying and his dad was talking to him. I went to go over to see how he was and as soon as I stepped out from under the shaded roof, and into the sunlight, the sun hit the ball and there were sparkles all over the whole playground area and the children who were there gasped and the boy stopped crying and we all just stared at each other sort of like in shock and then lots of smiles. How cool to see you had a disco ball in your hands just a few days after that!
Synchronicity, it’s a wonder filled thing Tina.
Oh, this is beautiful. I have long dreamed of a find like this! Last year we used a bunch of ‘disco ball’ christmas tree globes….but look at this! I am so envious.
Have you had the children begin to draw the light and how it works? You’re artwork is always so incredible, I’d love to see what would happen..
What great moments! In an incredibly commercial world, it is amazing how satisfying other people’s “trash” can be.