Tapumes

I wandered this morning over to the Rice Gallery on the Rice campus (the only university museum in the country dedicated to installation art), to see the current exhibit. This is a little of what I saw while wandering there.

Looking through the windows before entering the art gallery, you can see the massive piece, Tapumes by Henrique Oliveira, spread across the entire back wall, overlapping onto the sides, clinging to the ceiling and spreading out onto the floor.

It is wonderful!

(Question: Is my new lens (which replaces my old one, damaged months ago) up to the challenge of photographing this work? I hope so.)

The dimension of this piece is as amazing as the actual size. The shot above zooms in on the dangling piece in the first photo.

The work bends and curves so gracefully -- yet it is made of wood salvaged from construction sites throughout the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is home to the artist, Henrique Oliveira.

This is a lovely blue onion, one of a pair and easily stands 4 to 5 feet tall.

Do you see the face profile here? The nose leads the way ...
(It also reminds me of the racing profiles of the Tour de France cyclists).

I would love to crawl through this tunnel -- but this is art, not a playground, so I refrain from letting my inner child run free.
Wouldn't it be fun to try?

Another view capturing a small slice of the full piece (1/6 - 1/8 of the whole), including a second peak at my tunnel.

The gallery has included three short videos for viewing: one of Henrique working on other art pieces (in Portuguese, his native tongue), an interview with him about this Tapumes installation at Rice University, which I've included below (courtesy of YouTube and Rice University Art Gallery),




and a slideshow/video of the installation of the piece in the RIce Gallery, which is below (a second thank you to YouTube and RiceU Art Gallery).

To read two reviews of the Rice Gallery's exhibit Tapumes, click here or here.

Here he is -- the imaginative artist Henrique Oliveira who is the ultimate salvage/recycle/reclaim artist, creating colorful pieces (like the one I've shared here) built entirely from wood collected from the streets and construction sites in Sao Paulo.

He calls these installations "tridimensionals" as they incorporate painting, architecture and sculpture. He also participated in the invitational Something from Nothing show held in New Orleans last year. I look forward to seeing what this young man creates next...

If you live in or near Houston, be sure to stop by the Rice Gallery on Rice University campus, as his installation Tapumes has been extended through August 17, 2009. Note: there is ongoing construction in this building so the actual exhibit may or may not be open for visitors. I popped in today and was lucky to find it open. Tapumes is not as easily visible from outside the building as the website suggests.

Houston Undercover

In one week, the QGGH 2009 show, Houston Undercover, opens.

One of the quilts on display will be "My Houston Neighborhood" seen below.

This quilt began as a guild challenge in 2006. Members were given 2 pieces of fabric (a light blue and a black print) to use with their own fabrics to make a block on the theme "My Houston Neighborhood".

Since Houston has no zoning laws, members were given free rein concerning the style and content of the blocks. They are quite diverse, just like our wonderful city!

This quilt is 80" square and is our QGGH 2009 Raffle quilt. Tickets will be $1 each or 6 for $5. The winning ticket will be drawn on December 15, 2009.

Come to our show, buy raffle tickets, enjoy the fun!

Solitude

A Tree Challenge ...

Beyond the Borders (BTB), my art-quilt-bee-group, recently had an interesting challenge: To create a quilt with the theme of "trees" in with a length of 20" and a width between 6" to 12". The only other rule: the color green could not be used!


Here is my piece in an early phase. I used left-over coffee filters (a gift from my friend Liz B, thank you again Liz!) to build the tree on a base of distressed black funky fabric over an upholstery remnant and trapped under a sheer voile.



Here is a detail shot of the tree's base. Can you see the individual pieces of overlapping coffee filters? Also difficult to photograph is the loose layer of voile framing the tree itself. Photographing textiles is truly a challenge -- which is why one must attend as many shows and exhibits in person -- to see the tactile nature of fiber art pieces.

"Solitude" is my finished tree.

It will be added to our groups master-piece -- Sara N quilted a solid black quilt to which all the finished trees are being attached. The entire Tree quilt, fondly named "Beyond the Branches" will be in our upcoming 'Houston Undercover' A Quilt Show! for the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston (QGGH). If you are in Houston July 23 - 25, be sure to come by Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church to see a fabulous collection of quilts.

On top of the World

While I have posted very little in recent months, I have actually completed a few new pieces. Here is a detail shot of one ....


I continue to play with the layering of fibers, candy wrappers and sheers onto a felt base, trapping them with an overlay of voile or another sheer fabric, then using more decorative threads and plenty of stitching to hold the varied components together. I have experimented with this method on other pieces, beginning with the arches made for a 2008 Textile Challenges trade and including ATCs, fiber bowls and other items.

The above piece is completed and will be one of many quilts on display in the upcoming Quilt Guild of Greater Houston (QGGH) Quilt Show later this month:

"Houston Undercover - a Quilt Show!"

Thursday, July 23, 2009 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Preview Night & Auction

Friday & Saturday, July 24 - 25
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission is only $5.00

location: Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
11612 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas 77024
the QGGH website: http://www.qggh.org

Please come to the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston (QGGH) quilt show to see my quilt (especially since digital images do not do ample justice to the finished piece). In case you are unable to wait until then, here is a full view:

Sitting on Top of the World

See you later this month at Houston Undercover!
I plan to be there Friday....

Saline, Michigan

Last year's "With One Voice" the 2008 Breaking Traditions Traveling Art Quilt exhibit is still traveling and will be debuting in a new venue, an art gallery in Saline, Michigan.
Check out the website for Two Twelve Arts Center (snippets below) or the Breaking Traditions blog ...

from Two Twelve's website: July - Breaking Traditions Traveling Art Quilt Exhibit
A traveling art quilt exhibit crafted by quilters nationwide and curated by Lynn Krawcyk, as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The theme is: "celebrating all that is good in the world." All quilts are 12"x12".
Exhibit runs July 1 - July 30.
Artist Reception: Friday, July 17, 2009 7:00pm-9:00pm

The 2008 Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit is currently on exhibit at the 212 Arts Center in Saline, Michigan for the month of July.

The mission of Two Twelve Arts Center is to provide a creative hub offering visual and performing artists the opportunity and working space to come together to work, create, and teach.

The Center also contributes to the cultural life of the residents of Saline by supporting a full schedule of classes, programs, performances and exhibits. We look forward to providing a framework for a vibrant and supportive arts community with varied opportunities for artists, students and audiences.

from the Breaking Traditions blog:
Breaking Traditions is very honored to exhibit in this stellar center. The exhibit hangs on both levels of the center and is accompanied by additional artwork from local Michigan artists that participated in the 2008 exhibit.

You can also see work from Jacqueline Lams, Sidney Savage Inch, Leann Meixner, Deb Kolar, Jean Canavan, Joan Potter Thomas, Kat Campau and Lynn Krawczyk.

There will be an opening reception on Friday July 17 from 7pm-9pm.
Enjoy the show!


from me: If you are able to go, be sure to send me photos! Oh, and look for my piece (honoring Henrietta Szold). In the postcard photo, it is on the bottom row, second from the right end, the dark red one with a photo of Ms. Szold.



Time to plug the upcoming 2009 Breaking Traditions Art Quilt exhibit:

Breaking Traditions has become a community effort, helping to support the fundraising projects of fellow fiber/mixed media artists. The 2009 exhibit will benefit Bernie Berlin's dog rescue, A Place to Bark. In honor of Bernie's efforts to find orphaned and abused dogs permanent loving homes, the theme for the 2009 exhibit is Home.

The exhibit features 12"x12" art quilts. Participants for the 2009 show will express those things, memories or emotions that define home to them. Deadline for entries is coming up -- August.
This is an open call exhibit, everyone is encourage to participate.

another Art Call: Blurred Boundaries - Mixed Media

Since I've posted an earlier art call, thought I'd add this one too --
the 2009 Exhibit of Blurred Boundaries, Mixed Media Fiber Art

Entry deadline WAS June 20, 2009

NOW EXTENDED to June 28, 2009

Theme: The definition of Fiber Art has evolved greatly over the past few years, opening up a new range of possibilities to artists working in various disciplines. Fiber artists are incorporating more mediums into their work, creating unique art that reaches across previously defined boundaries. Artists from other mediums are discovering the infinite possibilities that fiber can offer, also creating hybrids that are eye catching and moving. Blurred Boundaries seeks these arttworks for a week long exhibition honoring the ingenuity of mixed media fiber art.

A quick rundown on the exhibit:

Juror: Virginia Spiegel

Curator: Lynn Krawczyk

* Mixed media fiber art exhibit - work must contain a minimum of 25% fiber in order to qualify for the exhibit - otherwise anything goes!

* The exhibit will run in conjunction with the fabulous and exciting Fabrications Retreat in Kalamazoo, Michigan from August 30 - September 4, 2009. The exhibit will also be open to the public.

* Open to U.S. residents only.

* 2D and 3D work accepted.

* Work may be for sale (a very low 15% commission fee), there will be a $100 People's Choice Award and everyone who is in the exhibit will receive a small package of mixed media goodies for use in future work.

* Submission of images is done entirely online (no need to mail CDs!), the entry form is filled out online (less paper to print!) and you have the option of paying the $25 entry fee by either Paypal or personal check. Enter up to 3 pieces.


The full guidelines can be downloaded as a PDF at the exhibit's website here:
http://www.fabricationsretreat.com/exhibit.html

Call for Texas Fiber Art

Here is this year's information for the annual Fiber in February show at the Copper Shade Tree gallery in Round Top, Texas. I invite any and all Texas fiber artists to apply! Read on for further details ....

"The Art in Fiber"

February 5 - March 7, 2010

Copper Shade Tree - Fine Craft Gallery
206 E. Mill St.
Round Top, Texas
info@coppershadetree.com
www.coppershadetree.com

Copper Shade Tree is a fine craft gallery located in Round Top, Texas. Our small town is a tourist attraction for visitors from around the world. The gallery focus is the Texas artist. Currently, there are nearly 80 artists represented in the gallery, with two-thirds of them live within 150 miles of Round Top, of which we consider to be local art.

Once again, it's time to prepare for our February Fiber Show. This will be the fourth year to host this popular event. Each year we've expanded the show to include more areas of Texas. The 2009 show included 18 fiber artists with a total of 102 art quilts displayed in the gallery and 114 art quilts displayed on our website. For 2010, our intent is to include a smaller quantity of pieces, but not necessarily the number of artists.

As some of you know, we continuously change the look of the gallery. We want our customers to feel as though they are walking into a different gallery each time they visit. This also helps them get a different perspective of each piece of art. Our gallery is a tool that helps educate the public about fine craft in Texas.

The new approach for 2010 is to exhibit Fiber Wall Art. Our definition of Fiber Wall Art is: art quilt, thread painting, weaving, etc. that is framed (without glass), or applied to painted canvas, or fabric covered canvas, etc. Art quilts may use the traditional hanging method with sleeve and stick.

The requirements for the 2010 show include a total of four (4) Fiber Wall Art pieces:
* One (1) 10" x 10" fiber art on 12" x 12" x 1-1/2" painted canvas (your choice of color) with the theme - "American Landscape".
* Three (3) Fiber Wall Art pieces: Maximum size 4' wide x 5' long and the Minimum size is 8" x 10". (Size is limited due to space restrictions; however, you are encouraged to submit different sizes to show your diverse creativity)
* Either mail or hand-deliver one (1) finished piece of artwork for the jury process.
* Each piece of artwork will be your original design.
* Each piece of artwork will be created exclusively for "The Art in Fiber" exhibit (Work cannot have been exhibited in any other show or competition)
* $20 application fee (non-refundable) Payable to: Copper Shade Tree
* Must be a Texas resident
* Consignment fee of any sold work. (65/35% ...the gallery retains 35% of sell price.

Copper Shade Tree reserves the right to reject any piece of art at the time of delivery.

Marketing and food for the Opening Reception will be provided by Copper Shade Tree.

Important Dates and Timeline:

September 1, 2009 Deadline for submitting your Artist resume that includes your personal information, accomplishments, awards, etc. and one (1) finished artwork for the jury process.

September 9, 2009 Copper Shade Tree will notify the individual artists of the jury results. These artists will then have their individual pieces selected in January for the show. Once selected, further detailed information will be distributed.

December 1, 2009 Deadline to deliver the "American Landscape" artwork. A hardcover book is being planned for this series.

January 19 - 22, 2010 The artists who have been selected for the show will bring their finished pieces to the Copper Shade Tree for selection. An appointment will be set with each artist during these dates.