Chris Therrien
MONTPELIER — After retiring in 2019, Montpelier resident Paul Markowitz has kept himself busy; as a bread baker, puppeteer, magician and storyteller (much to the merriment of local children), gardener (he helps run the Gove Community Garden in Montpelier) and, on top of all that, artist.
I first heard of Markowitz through his micro-bakery out of his home, where he bakes artisanal sourdough whole wheat rye bread. Looking for his bakery is what led me to his website, Pearl Street Mobiles, which features an online portfolio of his hand-crafted, 3-D kinetic sculptures.
All it takes is a glance to get drawn into Markowitz’s whimsical, colorful creations. One can also view his mobiles in person as he regularly displays them in Montpelier and the surrounding communities. One such exhibition, currently at River Arts in Morrisville, titled “Letting Loose,” runs through June 17.
River Arts is sort of a home base for Markowitz. He played an active role in its formation, the arts center having evolved out of a community forum he helped facilitate over 20 years ago.
Soon after his retirement, Markowitz says he sought a renewed purpose. “I went to a yoga retreat and started to envision what the next chapter was in my life, and mobiles came to the top,” he says.
What started as a fun pastime turned into a passion. “Over the years, I had dabbled at making mobiles, including a couple of mobiles made out of deep sea fishing lures, and one out of small sticks and peace cranes with my daughter, Sandra.” However, after discovering the work of mid-century American sculptor Alexander Calder — credited by some as the founder of what we know as mobiles today — Markowitz says his inspiration really “took off.”
For Markowitz, the artistic process has been an ongoing journey of creation and spreading joy.
“I have always been fascinated with the concept of balance and the many factors that affect it. Making mobiles is a very visible way for me to explore it further. I love to see how mobiles are art that rely on air movement and flow, and how they reveal something that is otherwise hidden. I also like to incorporate whimsy into my work, with the goal of bringing smiles to viewers,” he says.
Markowitz was initially enthusiastic, and later hesitant, about being the subject of a story. He said he didn’t want the story to focus on him and his recent activities — a change of attitude I found puzzling. Eventually, I found something else may be at play.
During remarks at the opening of his current show at River Arts, Markowitz said, “These mobiles feel like my children. There is a little bit of me in each one of them.” And, like all children, he reveals that each one is uniquely original. “It’s hard to let them out of my house,” Markowitz admits, although he goes on to say to those in attendance, “I love to give them away to friends and family.”
And this is what makes Markowitz’s art beautiful; it’s the giving and expression of oneself. It also explains why it’s painfully personal, attempting to discuss them in an analytical sense.
One of my favorites Markowitz mobiles is “The Golden Horse,” which appears to be a magician flying on a horse over a quiet village at night, holding his wand aloft as if imparting a blessing. This one is inspired by a Marc Chagall painting, Markowitz reveals.
Others, some abstract, are also based on his favorite artists: Joan Miró, Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, and Alexander Calder; others are figurative, based on people and nature, such as peacocks, bees, dragons, and African drummers. There’s also a bullfighter in the style of Piet Mondrian.
Although he crafts most of his mobiles at home, Markowitz says, “I’m intrigued with the idea of making mobiles for public space, which would require more substantive pieces.” To that effect, he’s toyed with the idea of teaming up with a welder or metal fabricator.
Markowitz also conducts workshops on making mobiles for those interested in constructing their own creations. His next workshop will be at Studio Place Arts in Barre on June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Everyone leaves with a mobile,” he says.For more information, see Markowitz’s website pearlstreetmobiles.com.
