Here is one of my favorite pieces at the Craft Show. When I first came upon this structure, I thought, hmm, looks like something Ikea would sell. When I found out that the structure had other functions than just being visually interesting I liked it even more. These series of images function as direction on how to interact with the structure. A girl walked by and I asked her to be my guinea pig and try it. Voila. A wonderful thinking and meditating sanctuary. I would like one in my room.
There were some other really neat things at the Fine Arts Building. Some wonderfully well done pen and ink drawing. As a full image, I do not find the subject to be very interesting, but as marks and lines, I find it very engaging. It is much better to look at them up close, inch by inch. The pen work is wonderful. Also, this tea bag collage was a good way to recycle and be come art. The collage of tea bags was about 3 feet by 4 feet, ranging from all colors and shapes. Once again, it is one of those things that is so much more power when it is viewed up close. Absorb the detail. Memorize every contour and texture.
I liked how "green" people were being this time. Everything was seemed to be "found" and things not commonly incorporated in pieces, took every advantage and tied into the pieces quite nicely. In one of the room where presented wood structures held together and constructed into large pieces using thread, yard or strings. At the same time they were innovative, craftsmanship lacked severely. A little more patience and delicacy and these pieces can arrived at a more professional level.
Some more "found" pieces of work. The first one; a burnt piece of playground equipment with dangling fabric sown hands below it, the second; the result of drippy paint from a file cabinet, the third; neat plastic structure with what seems to be paint injected into the groves, the last two on the right; interesting paper mache shapes shiny coated and color, hanging from the ceiling. The objects themselves were what caught my attention, but it was the shadows that projected onto the wall that were mysterious and intriguing.
Sometimes, we go to great extend to create, and then produce indirect results.
These were some other really eye catching pieces in the Fine Arts Building. I feel sometimes these crafts pieces don't do it justice on its own. I find the pieces more effective to myself as the viewer through photographs. Perhaps it is the form and details that is capture through a picture that most people don't take the time to see with bare eyes. Photographing questions one to think compositionally and aesthetic. When I photograph these work, I crawl down, I walk around, squat and lean and view it from all sides to capture the best of it. I feel most people who just clasp their hands behind their back and walk by do not get the best of it. They don't take the time to bend down and get closer to the pieces. Something I enjoy in these 3D craft pieces is walking around and playing with the lighting, seeing the shadows and lights bend and fold from each angle. But perhaps, this is what makes me a picture taker and not a picture viewer.
I see dark, yet hopeful in these and I enjoy that sense of optimism in art.
This is the first time I witnessed the Mayday Parade. Interesting. I just think if you are going to try and make a point and have people support and respect the cause, maybe you should steal shopping carts and use it in the parade. Just a thought.
Oh the instruments of Richmond... It's funny, but right beside them is actually a music store, selling real instruments... I wonder how the business is holding up to these innovative creations.
First Friday are always too crowded for my test, but I survived yet another.
