By ROBIN CAUDELL
Staff Writer
April 26, 2008 04:00 am
—
PLATTSBURGH -- Under the creative hands of Jeff Cochran, Kimberly LeClaire and Gharan K. Burton, cardboard transforms into many splendored things in today's Earth Day Parade in Plattsburgh.
A white rhino and "The Three Crows" are among the beings featured in the celebration. The parade will honor the natural world through poetry and song.
"We're going to stop at the trees and sing songs for the trees and stop at the river," Cochran said. "It's a celebration of our immediate bio-region in the larger ecosystem that sustains our lives. People are welcome to wear costumes."
CELEBRATE CREATION
The parade's overall theme is awareness of the immediate bio-region of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain Valley.
"The importance of the water, sun, moon and stars. On the walk, we will recognize our interdependence on our bio-region and the earth's ecosphere. For me, it's an opportunity for people to celebrate creation."
Cochran is a master of cardboard constructions that he creates in his Fox Hill Studio at 11 Elizabeth Street in Plattsburgh. Parade attendees will assemble there at 11 a.m. because there is a learning curve (for those who choose to do so) to learn how to walk and manipulate the vibrant-hued pageantry.
One of Cochran's creations is an eight-sided Tree-of-Life motif that honors eight world faith traditions including Muslim, Christianity, Judaism and Native American.
"That's what's at the heart of every major religion. That's what unifies us. I studied comparative religion for a number of years because we're so integrated in this time, and the cultures are sharing so much. With the World Trade Organization and the World Wide Web, we can access so many different ways of knowing."
EARTH DAY EVERY DAY
Though global wars, rapid extinction of pollinators and destructive energy practices cast a dark cloud, Earth Day is a green lining.
"It helps psychologically and physically," Cochran said. "It helps me. Jeff needs to do this for his mental health.' People may say, He's looped or he's deeply concerned.'"
If today is blessed without rain and high winds, the parade will dance away from Fox Hill Studio at 1 p.m. The procession includes an internal play, starring "The Screenies," a playful "Eye Screen" poke at human's wired umbilicals to computers, televisions, iPods, etc.
LeClaire has used the Internet to spread the word about the event.
"As cliche as it may be, I feel that every day is Earth Day," she said. "Most people focus on holidays. We don't have a community theater in Plattsburgh. This is a chance to start something that could last a long time. The Three Crows' will make an appearance. This is a beginning, but it can happen anytime."
COMMUNITY ART
Other places around the world celebrate tomatoes or Day of the Dead. In some countries, even protest movements have colorful imagery.
Burton envisioned the rhinoceros puppet to call attention to its diminishing numbers.
"It's important for people to see that here," LeClaire said. "It's really lovely to know Jeff. He knows how to construct a crow or a dragon. As a unit, we work well together."
LeClaire painted the orange rings of two mandalas.
"I like to think of it as a community-arts project, where people can get involved and be part of it," she said. "If we get three people, that's awesome. If we get 30 people to work with us that will be great, too."
rcaudell@pressrepublican.com
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