Contemplating the circle of life and of things

SALISBURY — “Earthbound Buddha,” a show of new art by Karl Saliter, opens at Noble Horizons in Salisbury on Friday, Oct. 18, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m.

In an interview at his studio at the end of September, Saliter said the works in the show depict “people in meditation and prayer — thinking earthbound thoughts.”

Anyone who has ever attempted to meditate and instead thought about how to pay for snow tires will be able to relate.

Saliter — a sculptor and performer at other times — used “found” materials for the pieces in the show. 

The Salisbury-Sharon transfer station is a favorite source.

He said he has traveled to southeast Asia a number of times, and the influence of that region is apparent in the pieces.

“And comedy — 30 years of making people laugh.

“When art has a sense of humor it is a lot easier for me to enjoy it.”

Saliter recently returned to northwest Connecticut after several years in Mexico. To pay the bills, he is moving furniture and making deliveries.

“But I couldn’t stop myself from making art.”

The low-key aspect of the “Earthbound Buddha” show started when he began making homemade cards for people celebrating special occasions.

“The bar for cards is so low. They were the best cards ever.”

The card project developed into “a communal thing.”

“I found a new joy.”

“Plus I like the low impact. Ninety-nine percent of the materials are recycled.”