ROOTS by Mary Ellen Long Opens at The LAND/gallery in Albuquerque This Weekend

'Arroyo Roots' by Mary Ellen Long at The LAND/an art site

THE LAND/an art site presents:

Mary Ellen Long:

ROOTS September 4 – 30

Opening reception Sept 4, 6-8 pm

ROOTS study by Mary Ellen Long

An environmental book artist, printmaker, painter and sculptor whose work reflects her intimacy with the woodlands around her Colorado home, Long has also worked at THE LAND’s outdoor art site, most recently creating sculptural installations that integrated her handmade paper into the exposed roots of junipers. She has also used these visits to THE LAND to photograph and collect materials for use in ROOTS at THE LAND/gallery.

You can read more about Mary Ellen Long on Greenmuseum.org and on her blog.

MARKET Interactive Installation by Audra Wolowiec Opens in The Garment District

MARKET: an interactive installation by Audra Wolowiec

August 26 - Sept 7, 2010

Opening reception: August 27, 6-9pm

Viewing hours: daily 11am - 6pm

Closed: Sept 1 - 2

"It's lonely living in the modern world - exchange!" 

MARKET, an interactive installation at Chashama 266 by Audra Wolowiec, invites individuals to participate in an intimate micro-economy by bringing garments to be altered through the process of exchange. Located in the Garment District of New York City, this site-specific project stems from a desire to connect with people and draw attention to the labor embedded in the garments we wear.

Fabric Drawing by Audra Wolowiec (2008, Pocket Utopia)

Acting as a "mercer" or "textile trader," the artist will provide a service that involves cutting out corresponding swatches from each item of clothing, transferring and sewing them in place of the other. Through this process of direct relations, a market is created based not on commerce but on tactile interaction. To participate, please visit the space during open hours and remember to bring an item of clothing. Participants will kindly be asked to leave their garments on display throughout duration of the project and can retrieve them when the show closes on September 7th. The artist will be available for exchange daily from 11am - 6pm.

*images courtesy of Audra Wolowiec

Off-Grid Studio Life with Alyce Santoro

I love these 'sketchbook' drawings' by conceptual/multimedia artist, Alyce Santoro. You can read more about her off-grid, desert studio existence in my recent article for Ecouterre. 

p.s. Happy Birthday, Alyce

Global Intrigue II / International Triennial of Textile and Fibre Art in Riga

Many thanks to globetrotting friend and natural perfumer, Amanda Walker, for forwarding information on and photos of this gorgeous fiber and textile exhibition in Riga. 'GLOBAL INTRIGUE II / International Triennial of Textile and Fibre Art' in Latvia's capital looks to be an amazing tribute to contemporary textile and fiber experimentation.

The themes of the 2010 Triennial are outlined as follows, as per the description on their website:

"The main idea of GLOBAL INTRIGUE II was to develop further and extend the theme of the Triennial 2007, based on different aspects of globalization in connection with new problems and challenges in our contemporary world." 

How do artists manifest themselves in the period of the global crisis?

How does this affect artistic expression and creativity?

How do textile artists update their time in space/surroundings, materials and contemporary technologies?

How do innovations work in cross-cultural contacts and is there still a connection with traditions? 


The exhibition is remains on view through 5 September, 2010 at The Latvian National Museum's Arsensals Hall.


Safe travels, Amanda, and thank you for the wonderful photos above.

Joetta Maue Addresses Curating Fiber/Art

image courtesy of the European Linen and Hemp Community

Do not miss this extremely thoughtful (candid) post on curating contemporary fiber/art written by Joetta Maue.


*via the Textile Arts Center blog 

The Art of (Re)Fashioning by Meiling Chen

'Coat of Many Colors' by Meiling Chen

As (Re)Fashioning Fiber comes to a conclusion next week, I am nostalgic for the beginning of this exhibit's journey and my seedling ideas related to fiber, fashion, and the overlay of art. I sometimes feel as if I am spreading myself too thin with numerous projects related to textiles, eco fashion writing, and environmental art, but then I am reminded of this exquisitely embroidered garment entitled Coat of Many Colors by Meiling Chen. Crafted from a recycled Oxford shirt, old wire hanger, and vintage threads from the flea market, it is all about saving, forgiving, and donning a multi-hued outlook.

'Fashion sketches' by Meiling Chen paired with knit fiber necklaces by Renata Mann

I think a lot about the role that creativity plays in sustainable fashion endeavors and whether some feel that this detracts from the urgent sustainability agenda of (eco) standardized materials, methods, and labeling. Part of me also wants to protect the designer from the laborious process of smart sustainable sourcing and the volumes of research that this entails. But like any truly modern creative enterprise, there tends to be is a spicy mix of ethereal and earthy matters. 98% perspiration, 2% inspiration, or so I am told.

'Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve' by Meiling Chen

Now that I have been writing about sustainable design and fashion for close to three years, I can only believe that an open heart and mind offer a solid foundation for building a convincing fashion collection and label. Sure there are loads of practicalities and conventions at play, but like any lasting endeavor, real transparency comes in the story behind the label, its crafting, and the timely vision of the designer. People recognize this immediately, and it  speaks volumes to good, covetable (waste-free) design.

photo of Meiling Chen by Quinn Batson via GLiving

I adore Meiling Chen for being a Fearless Dreamer, no matter what the fashion odds are. It really is not about what comes down the runway each season, but rather what you identify with and adopt as the emblem of something you want to wear as your badge of courage or  cloak in tackling the challenges we face on a collective stage.