Today I took a sledgehammer to this beautiful cave/fountain/aviary sculpture as it had been badly damaged in moving it. I had constructed it in the classroom and had inadvertently made it too big to fit through the doors, so I had to cut it apart! I must say I was sad as the blows fell as it was not only the loss of this creation, but was symbolic of the passing of this phase in my life... I'm no longer a Montessori teacher, a title I wore proudly for over 25 years!
This sculpture is now gone, but the memories it helped create can never be erased. I remember the students who were so eager to work inside, students like Eric who found peace and solace inside. Developmentally, students this age (6 - 9 years old) love the security and mystery of such an enclosed space. And yes, this is how Montessorians strive to "strike the imaginations" of their students. Traditional schooling shoves the child's nose down onto a test paper forgetting that is the wonders of this world that truly inspire learning.
I was a sculptor of neurons and learning environments, now I'm a sculptor that takes raw and discarded materials and turns them into objects of beauty and meaning. I look forward to this journey that will carry me through to the end of my days. I also realize that with this experience, that the actual joy of creating, makes it all worthwhile even if the piece doesn't last forever.
Oh, this sculpture will be reborn in a smaller version that will actually roll through doorways! 'Tis the way of the artist to continually learn and grow and to improve on previous works. This is also true to the Montessori philosophy where we strive to create life long learners. I guess you could say that I'm a Montessori sculptor!
