Rags to Riches
We slowly progressed across the studio, pulling a variety of theatrical artifacts from the gap such as lining sticks, a pounce wheel handle, 1924 news papers, teaspoons, Masonic buttons, miniature wooden battens to support scenic designs, and more. By this time I had a little mound of treasured items near the edge.
Then a grey knitted rag appeared, so filthy that the dirt just fell from it. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was an old paint sweater as I noticed the paint spots. Little dabs of white paint were all over the sweater. I was trying to determine whether this could possible an article of clothing that belonged to a scenic artist. If the spots were just white it could have belonged to any painter working throughout the building during its construction. The various spaces in the building would have received a coat of white primer.
In the dim light, I intently peer at the little areas of color. Was this the patter in the fabric? Soon, I determined that it was in fact dry pigment and a wide range of colors! Luckily, I was extremely familiar with the appearance of dry pigment paint on my clothes. When it sets on top the fabric, it looks like little dabs of pastels (colored chalk), not simply blobs of paint.
I knew that this sweater belonged to a scenic artist, and the likely hood that it was Moses’ was very great. The nearby artifacts would support this theory, as well as his diary entries from his time spent painting in Fort Scott, but there would be one aspect about the sweater that would support my theory and it wouldn’t happen util after my return to Minesota.
Later, I would stage the sweater for a series of photograph to document detail of the sweater with measurements in my Bloomington office. During this photo shoot I looked at the pocket button. When I looked at the left pocket, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and that little voice of intuition say, “Check the pockets.” I stuck my fingers in the pocket and felt something. Tears came to my eyes as I pulled out pink and white flower petals.
There is something about finding an article of clothing belonging to an artist that is awe-inspiring, especially when you have studied this particular artist for a few decades. It is something else entirely when you discover such a personal aspect. The petals in his pocket meant something to him, enough for him to pick them up and tuck them in his pocket.
Moses was a romantic and it is very apparent in the writing of his handwritten diaries, typed manuscript and newspaper submissions. He incorporated poetic phrases and sentimental touches to many situations. And Moses noticed flowers, commenting on them throughout his life.
In 1925, Moses wrote:
“… we were busy watching the annual Flower Parade through the principal streets of the city…However, as it was our first view, we will have to admit that it had some very interesting features in it, as many of the floats were made of the actual live flowers, the others artificial.”
To be continued…
