I came across this article about a giant tape flower sculpture while researching persuasive storytelling. Made of blue Scotch tape, it surprised even its sculptor, who had no idea what shape it would take when he began tearing blue pieces from the roll and attaching them to its inner circumference.
What unfolds is a powerful branding narrative about the unexpected utility one might enjoy out of buying a roll of Scotch tape.
However, as I watched this flower sculpture take shape, I thought about how difficult and discouraging it can be to launch something, or to persevere at the beginning of a journey. Any journey, but especially one with no obvious correct path to follow, such as entrepreneurship, success, or life.
Photo by Dominic Wilcox
You begin as a utilitarian roll of unassuming Scotch tape. You look around, overwhelmed by timelessness that surrounds you. That hunk of limestone there became the Bust of Nefertiti, and this slab of marble here became The Pietà, and that piece of parchment yonder became The Iliad. They’re so many steps ahead you, these august artifacts of exquisite beauty! While you’re just here in an Amazon box on an Ikea desk surrounded by biodegradable packing peanuts, a pathetic, nondescript, undistinguished roll of mediocre Scotch tape.
Is there even any point in starting, when everyone is already so good at being a work of art?
But you want to be something more, don’t you. You don’t know what yet, but you start to explore your possibilities…your range. Slowly, through effort consistently applied, you begin to change. You grow. It’s a bit ugly at first. A bit uncertain. “Is it worth it? I look stupid! I should stop,” you say as a piece of torn Scotch tape juts awkwardly out from your midsection. It’s gangly and unsophisticated. You’re filled with doubt. No one even notices you! Some plainly think you’re kidding yourself. But you decide to keep at it. You stay the course. You add more Scotch tape. Your work starts to take shape. It starts to look nicer. Then it starts to look NICE. Other artworks begin to notice. Pietà perks up, Nefertiti busts in, Iliad stops mid-pentameter to say, “Hey man, nice work.” Perhaps you’re not quite a Rodin yet but, well, Design Milk is writing an article about you now, and that’s enough to at least score an invite to Rodin’s garden party.
And look where you came from, you silly stationery store rascal punching way above your weight and thinking, “Someday…”
Photo by Dominic Wilcox