Salem's So Sweet: Ice Mermaid

Every year for the past several years Salem Main Streets has organized a special festival called Salem's So Sweet in February to celebrate chocolate, love and local commerce. In my opinion the best part of the festival is the artfully crafted ice sculptures placed around town sponsored by local businesses.

Of the 19 sculptures from this year's festival, my favorite is this fantastic mermaid ice sculpture gracing the entrance of The Adriatic Restaurant.

 

The Salem's So Sweet festival continues until February 15th.

The Little Mermaid at the San Francisco Ballet

In 2011, PBS's Great Performances featured the San Francisco Ballet's production of The Little Mermaid.

The ballet was choreographed by John Neumeier and the music composed by Lera Auerbach. (A complete cast list and production credits can be found on Odette's Ordeal.)

The little mermaid swims while being suspended in air by the strong arms of fellow dancers, and by flipping her silky blue fins behind her. Hans Christian Andersen also plays a role in this telling. He dances the little mermaid to life with his words and movement.

Here are a few images from the ballet:

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid by the San Francisco Ballet is a hauntingly beautiful adaptation of Andersen's fairy tale. It was commissioned for the 200th anniversary of the famous storyteller's birth and had its world premiere on April 15, 2005 at the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, Denmark.

If you have the time, be sure to watch some or all of this mesmerizing production, available for streaming on PBS. org.

Mermaid of the Moment: The Illustrated Man and La Sirena by George Courage

Earlier this year my husband George designed a mugboard (the photo thingy with the faces cut out) for a musical theatre production of ICARUS, produced by Liars & Believers in residence at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA.

The story was a retelling of the ancient myth set in a Depression-era freak show carnival. (George also designed several banners that were used in the production, getting him a mention in the NY Times, which you can read about Here)

Since George loves mermaids he decided to go with a sailor and mermaid illustration.

Below are his concept drawings and progression throughout the process, from sketchy doodles and reference, to the finished mugboard in use.

Mermaid of the Moment: 2015 Calendar by Abigail Halpin

 

Today's Mermaid of the Moment is another lovely illustration from Abigail Halpin featuring a 2015 calendar she created for  a tea towel design contest on Spoonflower. There will be prints available for purchase on her Etsy shop soon.

Mermaid of the Moment: Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

On a recent trip to Gloucester I stopped by the Cape Ann Museum. In their outdoor courtyard I was drawn to this remarkable piece: a bronze bench adorned with various sea creatures, two mermen, dolphins, coral and a lovely female face in the centerpiece.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

The bench was created by sculptor Shelly Bradbury in 2008. It is on loan at the Cape Ann Museum from the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

Here are the two mermen and some other details. Mermen are an uncommon design element, but their strong shoulders seem fitting to hold up the bench's net-like seat.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

 

If you're heading to Gloucester, MA or the Cape Ann Museum, be sure to take a moment to enjoy this beautiful and functional sculpture.

Mermaid of the Moment: The Ipswich Mermaid by George Courage

The Ipswich Mermaid, George Courage, Acrylic on canvas 8"x10".

My husband George Courage painted this mermaid portrait.

The image of a mermaid in a wheelchair is one that's been with him since he was young, growing up in Ipswich, MA. When he was in high school, the drama club produced the play Miranda by Peter Blackmore. (Miranda was made into a film in 1948 starring Glynnis Johns, one of my favorite mermaid films.) The titular mermaid was transported in a wheelchair for the better part of the play and inspired the image. Although the play was set in the 1940's, George loved the idea of a mermaid wearing a Victorian-style dress, and that's how he sketched her as a college student.

This recent version also features a lighthouse in the background. The model for this lighthouse once stood on Crane's Beach in Ipswich. It was moved to Cape Cod in the 1930's and though George never saw it in person, he grew up going to Crane's and heard stories about the lighthouse that used to reside there.

"The Ipswich Mermaid" is currently on display in Salem, MA (along with several other illustration works by George) at the Salem Theatre at 90 Lafayette Street. His work will be on display through December 2014.

Imperium Neptuni Regis: Shellback Certificate

The ceremony of "Crossing the Line" (the "Line" being the Equator) has been a part of Naval culture in many a country's military maritime practice for the last 200 years or more. This rite is commemorated with several initiation "exercises" and a certificate usually featuring King Neptune, mermaids and other sea-life.

The certificate below was given to my husband George's uncle and namesake, George Wallace Kitzmiller, who served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Around the border of the certificate are mermaids riding large fish, mermaids in whirlpools, and various other small sea creatures. The central large illustration features King Neptune with his trident flanked by four hippocampus. The large banner reading Imperium Neptuni Regis, translates to "The Empire of King Neptune."

(Click on image to enlarge)

Shellback Certificate, U.S. Navy, George W. Kitzmiller, 1944.

The text on the certificate reads:

To all sailors wherever ye may be: and to all Mermaids, Whales, Sea Serpents, Porpoises, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Suckers, Crabs, Lobsters, and all other Living Things of the Sea GREETING Know ye That on this 29th day of December 1944, in Latitude 00000 and Longitude ____ there appeared within Our Royal Domain the USS Earl V. Johnson bound south for the Equator and for the Southwest Pacific.
BE IT REMEMBERED
that the said Vessel and Officers and Crew thereof have been inspected and passed on by Ourself and Our Royal Staff And Be It Known: By all ye Sailors, Marines, Land Lubbers and others who may be honored by his presence that
George W. Kitzmiller
having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks he has been duly initiated into the SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP.
Be It Further Understood That by virtue of the power invested in me I do hereby command all my subjects to show due honor and respect to him wherever he may be.
Disobey this order under penalty of Our Royal Displeasure
Given under our hand and seal this 29th December 1944
Davey Jones, His Majesty's Scribe
Neptune Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main
By his servant J.J. Jordy

Here's a detail from the border of the certificate.

Uncle George served on the U.S.S. Earl V. Johnson in the South Pacific. Here's a photo of him with a sailor buddy, most likely on shore leave judging by the playful grins on their faces.

Unknown sailor (left), George W. Kitzmiller (right), U.S. Navy, 1944.

U.S.S. Earl V. Johnson