Nari Ward: We The People

Nari Ward, We the People, 2011. 

In collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. 

Used and hand dyed shoelaces. Dimensions variable. 

Courtesy of the artist, Lehmann Maupin Gallery, New York, 

and Galleria Continua, San Gimignano. Photo credit: Carlos Avendaño

There will be an opening reception and artist talk by Nari Ward at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia on Friday, 4 November 2011, from 6 to 8 pm. Ward's residency project is a recycled fiber and text-based project entitled, We The People.

"Nari Ward’s debut of his installation made in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, also named We the People, transcribes the opening phrase of the United States Constitution on the museum wall using hand-dyed shoelaces. These key words “We the People” become powerful clichés, as Ward believes that it is not possible to make these words his because of their strong association to the Constitution. Ward is, however, able to “reclaim” these words by integrating the shoelaces into the text, as a hybrid material, revolutionizing the viewer’s reaction through the magnitude of the arrangement and adaptation of the piece."

The artist previously used dyed shoelaces in his piece, Crying Form, Rising Symbol in 2010.

Fashioning Self & The Environment: Martín Azúa

Casa Básica by Martín Azúa

I am working on a variety of art submissions, writing projects, and fiber enterprises at the moment, so my posts these next few weeks might seem a bit scant. Apologies in advance for this. During my recent research on innovative ideas related to 'fashioning self and the environment', I came across this amazing Casa Básica Project by Martín Azúa. I love that this mobile unit folds into a simple square that one can slip into one's pocket or personal tote. It's pure volumetric poetry with a low-impact sort of footprint. This is what great design is all about.

Learn more here ... via L O L I T A

VOGUE Knitting Live NYC 2012

From Malko Turnovo to NYC, the village where my 'plarn' was made

by a talented local artisan named Abibe

I am excited to announce that I will be exhibiting some of my recycled fiber forms, including pieces that incorporate 'plarn' made in Eastern Bulgaria, during VOGUE Knitting Live NY in January 2012. This three day showcase will be part of an on-site exhibit curated by the event's organizers. Stay tuned for sneak previews of crocheted and twined 'plarn' samples.

Beyond the Horizon Opens at Ecoartspace

Jason Middlebrook, Inspired by the Countless Trips from My House to my Studio, 2008

Do not miss the opening of Beyond the Horizon 

at ecoartspace, 53 Mercer Street, NYC

Curator, Amy Lipton 

Reception: Sunday October 9, from 3 to 6pm

Open by appointment only through November

From the review by Brandon Keim on WIRED Science: "Of all the sciences, ecology asks most directly how humanity understands and participates in life. If the answers have ever been clear, they're certainly not now ... There's plenty of destruction and degradation, but the works are not simply about that. There's also resilience and vigor, an awareness of history and of humanity's extraordinary power to shape our environments – controlling nature, but never quite completely."

Artists: George Boorujy, Peter Edlund, Joy Garnett,  Eve Andree Laramee, Sarah McCoubrey, Jason Middlebrook, Aviva Rahmani, Lisa Sanditz, Charlotte Schulz, Sarah Trigg, and Marion Wilson.