More on the Mosaic
- Michael Jay Tucker's explosive-cargo
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
I left off last time with us just meeting Gene Dillard, the man who has turned his house into an enormous work of art.
David, the g’kids, and I trooped up the driveway. We’d seen Mr. Dillard standing in at the top. He’d greeted us. I re-introduced myself--explaining that we were visiting his neighbhor and friend, Vincent, from a door or two down the way. I added that he and I had met the last time we’d visited Raleigh, about a year before. I’m sure he didn’t remember me (he gets a LOT of visitors) but he was gracious about it.
And, besides, he was charmed by the grandchildren, whose interest in his work was real.
He gave us a short tour and showed us what he was up to. He was decorating a new wall that separated his yard from the adjacent one. I asked if the owner of the other property objected. He laughed and said no, because he had himself purchased the other house.
I asked him how he got his supplies...that is, the tiles, and mirrors, and all the rest. He said that originally, he’d bought it himself, or found it in scrapyards. But, more recently, people were giving it to him. They’d heard about his house and wanted to support his efforts.
ABOUT THE PHOTOS: First, the artist and his work. Here’s Mr. Dillard standing in front of some of his art. Second, a wall outside the Mosaic House. Has a feel of Easter Island, doesn’t it. And, finally, my usual shot that has nothing to do with the story but I just like it. This is Martha last February at Oyster’s Landing Marina in Austin. We were there at a celebration of the Chinese New Year. This is the year of the Wood Snake, “...a time for growth, change, and personal development, symbolizing renewal and adaptability.”
I wondered about how his neighbors felt about his efforts. He, himself, he said, had asked the question, somewhat hesitantly. I’m sure that many are less than thrilled. No HOA would possibly approve of such a home.
Yet, his house does draw tourists to the area, and I suspect that in the process it increases the value of the surrounding property. How many people can say that their breakfast nook looks out on a recognized masterpiece of Outsider Art?(1)
Certainly, he has his fans and supporters in the neighborhood. Among them, of course, is our friend Vincent, who calls himself a “docent” of the house. It’s a kind of complex in-joke. You can get the whole story on the PBS video(2), but basically, the story is that another neighbor, Carol (who is, alas, no longer with us), became Gene’s friend. When Gene found himself besieged by interested (but distracting) visitors, he would call Carol to come and interface for him. In time, she decided she was the docent of his particular museum.
When Vincent moved into the area, he, too, struck up a friendship with Gene, and began to lead “tours” of the Mosaic House. So, he decided that he, too, was a docent. He has also written a excellent piece on the House which is a favorite of visitors.
After a bit, we decided to let Gene get back to his work, and we drifted in the direction of Vincent’s house.
Our timing was excellent, for just after we arrived, I heard a car pull up out front.
It was, I realized, The New England Four.
They’d joined us at last.
And...what was more...
They brought pizza.
More to come.
Footnotes:
1. There is an excellent piece on the concept of Outsider Art on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsider_art, though I worry a little bit about the link between Outsider Art and the art of mentally ill. Christies also has a interesting page on the Outsider Art, which you can see here: https://www.christies.com/en/stories/outsider-artists-hot-list-6a21be5c96da4e5cace344d23ddba420
2. This the video I referenced in the last posting. You can see it https://www.pbs.org/video/the-mosaic-house-in-durham-3ikhsz/ or you can get it on Facebook, here: here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=922866905630261
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