Whistling Past the Grave Yard – Fort Worth Artist and Gravesave.org to Protect Music History

FORT WORTH, Texas - Sept. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- AS CLOSE AS – An Art and Music Event to Benefit GraveSave™
Dia De Los Muretos — November 1, 2014

FORT WORTH, TX—When local artist and musician Michael Mayes began visiting the graves of delta blues musicians in the early ‘90s, his mission was personal. “I wanted to get as close as I could get to my great musical influences,” Mayes said, “ Like many people who visit loved ones, their favorite author or any historic landmark, I wanted to get as close as I could. About six feet.”

What began as a pilgrimage became a 20-year obsession, a unique collection of art and the creation of GraveSave™, an organization whose mission he says is the preservation of music history. “We achieve this through the care, restoration and protection of musician’s grave sites across the United States,” Mayes said. Since the organization’s inception, GraveSave has visited over 200 cemeteries.

At each grave site Mayes created an impression (called etchings or rubbings) using large sheets of paper or canvas and pastels.  Over time the pieces evolved from simple charcoal etchings to colorful collages, many as large as 6 feet tall. The entire collection includes over 150 different musicians from blues musicians such as Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson, jazz legends Billie Holiday and Chet Baker, or country music greats Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. More interesting are the somewhat obscure but hugely influential such as Ma Rainey or Freddie King.

Grave etchings or impressions have been created in Asia for centuries, many from stone reliefs outside Buddhist temples. Throughout the late 1800s, families in Europe created impressions to share with loved ones who were unable to travel.

But the art form is not without controversy. Some see the practice as macabre or intrusive. Several states including Maryland and Rhode Island have banned grave rubbings in their oldest cemeteries. Vandalism and the elements including acidic rain and pollution are believed to have caused extensive damage to many monuments and statues. In contrast, other states and cemeteries host field trips for school children to make their own impressions under supervision.

The Association for Gravestone Studies (www.gravestonestudies.org) offers guidelines for the practice. “Great care should be taken to ensure no damage is done to the stone or surrounding area,” said Andrea Carlin, Senior Consultant and Publications Editor for the group.

“GraveSave is inspired by the words of Lemon Jefferson who asked ‘Lord It’s One Kind Favor I’ll Ask of You – See That My Grave is Kept Clean,’” said Mayes. “The real mission of GraveSave is to clean, repair and protect grave sites. The art is used to create awareness and discussion.”

While many famous musician burial sites are well cared for, many other influential yet lesser known artists’ graves are destroyed by vandalism, carelessness or time and the elements.

In the new exhibit “As Close As—Grave Art from 1993-2014,” Mayes will display 20 works including Jimi Hendrix and local songwriter Townes Van Zandt. For the first time, two original one-of-a-kind pieces will be auctioned to raise money and support for GraveSave™ . Proceeds will fund awareness programs, gravestone repair and landscaping services to small community churches and cemeteries.

Arts Fifth Avenue in the Fort Worth Fairmount District will host the exhibit as part of their growing annual Dia De Los Muretos Festival (Day of the Dead Nov.1, 2014). The family event includes music, food and art.

“I’ve always approached these sites with the deepest respect,” said Mayes, “I hope people will take the mission of GraveSave’s seriously, that the exhibit will create  dialog, and viewers will have a chance to get as close as they can to these sites without traveling all over the country.”

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CONTACT:
Michael Mayes
GraveSave™ Founder and Artist
www.gravesave.org
817-852-5229
michael@gravesave.org

Gracey Tune
Arts Fifth Avenue
817-923-9500
graceytuneon5th@aol.com

“There’s something about being in the room with these impressions. They’re not photographs, they’ve touched the stones. It’s humbling and awe inspiring and  raises interesting questions about fan traffic, intellectual property, burial versus cremation, and art.”

-Paul Chamblers, Art Student UNT

See images attached.