Jan 06 2009
today’s flickr find:
It’s time to check in on Polly Verity. Back in 2007 I wrote about Verity’s paper and wire sculptures. Poking around on her Flickr site this morning I saw a bracelet with so many possibilities…looks like beautifully folded and draped fabric. Oh my! [I’m not sure if this is paper or polypropylene]
All of her pictures offer ideas and inspiration – my favorite set? Curved Folds, of course!
Jan 06 2009
Julie Tremblay’s sculptures appear to be engaged in the dance of life. To create the graceful bodies, Tremblay uses discarded sheet metal from a bottle cap factory which she hand sculpts and forms around a steel armature.
The bodies in motion, suspended from ceilings and walls, are faceless yet full of expression – body language at its best. Their ‘lightness of being’ belies the heaviness of the foundational materials and their energy is palpable, perhaps representing the human spirit more than the physical body itself.
The artist with her work
Detail of the sheet metal used by Tremblay found here.
Here’s a brief look at how the sculptures looked in a recent installation.
More images at Craig Scott Gallery
Jan 05 2009
Mabona Origami created the origami for this award winning video that tells the story of Japanese sports brand ASICS. Who knew that a chance encounter with a piece of octopus would change the way sneakers were made? Watch this one all the way through – perfect message for a new year.
Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection from MABONA ORIGAMI on Vimeo.
Jan 05 2009
Dorie Millerson begins each piece by making a drawing inspired by an old family photograph. Next, the artist transfers her drawing to fabric and outlines the image with stitches. But this is only the beginning – using the ancient technique of needlepoint lace, Millerson uses cotton sewing thread to fill the interior of the outline with stitches that add depth, color and texture to her subjects.
Bridge, detail
The final step in this process is to release the stitches from the fabric and suspend the piece to create large-scale shadows from the small-scale works. The result is magical. Even the names called out to me: House, Bridge, Attachments…we can all relate.
Attachments, 2005, needlepoint lace, cotton
Attachments, detail
Bridge, 2006, needlepoint lace, cotton
Dec 31 2008
In this morning’s post I talked about this year’s highlights from the blog - now it’s time for daMusings about a few other things.
2008…it was the year that brought small changes for this blog and big changes for our country.
For me it was the year of many beginnings, including a new Etsy shop, a new understanding of Photoshop, finding 650 new ‘friends’ on Facebook and jumping into the Twitter pool.
It was the year that colon cancer, the cancer nobody wants to talk about but everybody should, brought me to my knees and back again.
It was the year that taught me life is short, this too shall pass and every day we wake up is a day we get to make different choices.
It was the year that I learned to say a little and do a lot, love more and hold on to less, risk everything and lose nothing.
2008 was a year of ups and downs, moments of worry mixed with hours of celebration, good luck and bad news, bad luck and good news…it was a year of LIFE…yes, thank you and more please.
I’m greeting 2009 with open arms, a full heart and hope for all humankind. Happy New Year!
[I just re-read this post – whew, it was a busy year! I’m taking a few days off to get ready for 2009 – I’ll see you on Monday!]
Dec 31 2008
...everything is an art material – from large, recycled steel lace tapestries to tiny paper ring “quiet, intimate moments with pattern.”
...Mother Nature still provides the most beautiful inspiration.
...light, laughter, fun and genius can happen when we keep things simple – from colorful post-it notes to humble plastic bags.
...to keep our expectations in check. It’s all an illusion anyway.
...polymer clay is an exciting medium gaining much-deserved recognition in the art world. NPCG has been an instrumental force in this ongoing effort – including the groundbreaking Synergy Conference. [My favorite Synergy moment gives us a peek at the future – the next generation of artists using this exciting medium is already hard at work.]
...there is truth in the old adage “practice makes perfect”.
...to experiment, to play, to just “do it”. You never know where it will take you.
I can’t pick a favorite post from 2008. I love all of the art that I write about! Did you have a favorite Daily Art Muse post this year? Was there one artist, artwork, thought, quote or idea that resonated with you?
Come back late this afternoon for more year-end daMusings.
Dec 30 2008
Martin Waugh has spent several years photographing drops of water using high-speed photography that “captures the smooth and effortless curves of liquid.” Waugh depends on his lens to freeze the liquid in motion, giving us the opportunity to observe the droplets mid-splash. The images are fascinating, graceful and surprising.
Waiting For The Other Shoe, Martin Waugh 2006
For a real treat, watch as Waugh and The Discovery Chanel make the first-ever slow motion video of a drop of water hitting another drop of water (towards the end). Sublime.
Thanks to daMuse reader Barbara Reider for the link.
Dec 29 2008
Amigos de la micologia Joseba Castillo on Flickr
Sarcoscypha coccinea, or Scarlet Cup Fungus…loving this!
Dec 29 2008
Colorado’s David Nittmann has mastered the art of optical illusions. What appear to be intricately woven baskets are actually turned wood bowls, platters and bodydrums (a hollow vessel that can be used as a musical instrument or as an art object).
Nittmann turns, burns and dyes the wood used in his internationally renowned Basket Illusion series. Photographs don’t give the secret away – my guess is that you have to see these in person to fully believe that they are wood.
A Single Twist of Fate, 16” diameter, American Holly
Large platters have 40,000 separate burned marks. This hatch work of concentric lines and radial lines creates a circular grid pattern, the “wooden canvas”, and gives the impression of a woven basket.
Bodydrum, 14” diameter, Honduras Mahogany
If you have a hankering to try this yourself, the artist explains the process in detail here.
Dec 26 2008
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