Winter of 2011 in the fibre department. I continue to make objects using bookbinding techniques in Fibre 322, mixed media. I also take a class on the history of craft.
This is an altered book, containing a "Jacob's ladder" type of hidden compartment.
Then follows an interesting invention, along the theme of hidden or unexpected contents: a pyramidal form which unfolds to reveal progressively tiny triangular shapes. It lies flat when unfolded, or can be shaped into various forms.
Plus, here are a number of works that I make for the ACAD show and sale:
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The Prayer of St. Francis, miniature book |
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The Prayer of St. Francis, miniature book - I made three of these, each with a slip cover |
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The Prayer of St. Francis, miniature book |
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Blank books |
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Blank books |
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Fortune tellers |
A third year course, this mixed media fibre class is pretty open ended - we are all instructed to pursue making objects of our own choosing, to engage in exploration. However there are some extra, directed assignments, as for example this little book I make; it is a guided tour of the details of how I do laundry.
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The Laundry's Progress, artist's collection |
Another assignment, which is very enlightening to me, is to create a presentation about an artist that we relate to. I choose to study Joseph Cornell, and read his life story,
Utopia Parkway: The Life and Work of Joseph Cornell. Rather synchronously, I discover unexpected affinity for his work and life story. Interestingly, all the students in the class present on artists who are
self taught. Which naturally leads me to think, what I am doing here exactly?
Next project, another throwback to childhood toys, I construct a barn playset with animals. However, none of this work is sufficient for the instructor without a conceptual basis - the artist's statement is key! I just can't come up with an academic justification for making this work. Sorry, it's not about vegetarianism and abattoirs. I could lie to you, but honestly (as far as I know - I suppose the unconscious is always working on something), it's just a toy.
"Today, art is mostly apprehended with the ears"
- graffiti statement in the women's washroom
The semester is going down hard, and a number of signs are pointing me toward the exit!
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3-dimensional barn, designed to unfold and lay flat |
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Lined with handmade paper |
Final project, I construct a box with curved sides (I try to address a new technical challenge with each project). This makes me think of those Russian stacking dolls.
And, speaking of hidden or unexpected contents, it contains a felted "doll", made from my own (clean!) hair which I collected over the course of the semester. Yes, sounds crazy, I know, but hear me out on this . . . I had learned about
hair rats in last semester's history of fibre class: women of old used to collect their own hair and felt it, to make a form which could be used to support elaborate hair styles. This is not the only unusual use of human hair, as Victorians used human hair to create
artworks, particularly as remembrances of the dead from a time when photographs were not so common. If nothing else, I learned to have an open mind in art school!
Following the numerous unfortunate events of the semester (and on this point I will not burden you, dear reader), I cannot help but recognize this work as a sarcophagus containing a doll which represents me! My artist's statement reads, "Goodbye art school."