Two weeks, two storms... and counting

On Friday night, November 18, we had our reception and artist panel for Stitched: Nature Constructed. A nice night of lively conversation with co artists Merill Comeau and Saberah Malik as we answered the thoughtful questions of the student moderators. Two weeks into the exhibit, after 6 days of heavy rain and wind, I'm happy to report that the outdoor installation Mushroomed is still intact, in place, and vibrant. Thanks to the gallery and building and grounds department for providing the spotlight.. I love the drama it creates.

Mushroomed

Yesterday was the install day for Stitched: Nature Constructed. A student curated show at the Cushing-Martin Gallery, Stonehill College. The students chose a theme, posted a call, reviewed artists and visited studios in order to make their selections.

The show consists of works by myself, Merill Comeau and Saberah Malik... each with our own response "...to the constant changing of nature - both natural and man-made, through the re-shaping of fiber to create images of ironic beauty."

Exhibition Dates:
Monday, November 7 - Monday, December 12

Reception and Artist Panel:
Friday, November 18, 6-8 pm

Four of my works are included. Undercurrent and Marrow plus two new pieces, Transplant and an outdoor installation called Mushroomed... something that grew quickly as if from nothing :).

Process

Working on the live 'Marrow' installation for the Stonehill College show 'Stitched: Nature Constructed'. The process for this artwork is unique to my others. My usual practice is to follow the lead of the material with my intuition as a copilot, without a predetermined image in mind. With this piece I have particular intentions for the outcome, requiring that I put different materials to the test.

For instance, which materials communicate with the change in scale? Not necessarily the same materials as with the smaller pieces. Also, this tree is live, not a petrified driftwood castoff with existing nooks and crannies to punch into. This shifts the concept to relating to life more than decay bringing up questions of message, shape and color.

My studio, or laboratory, is turned upside down with all the experiments. Looking forward to the research coming together next week when we install. Still a mystery as to the final outcome... embracing my role as copilot after all.

Arlington Lights

Love the window at night. Drama with the lighting and reflections from the street... a whole other dimension!

Synthesis and Ghost, installed in the storefront of 12 Medford Street Arlington until November 18. A project of Arlington Public Art directed by Adria Arch.

Materializing

Yesterday I began an outdoor installation at Stonehill College, a commission for the students of a curatorial class who are organizing a show at the Cushing Martin Gallery this November.

I'm thrilled to be one of the artists that will be participating with four of my works, Undercurrent, Marrow, Transplant and a new site specific outdoor installation to be done exclusively for the show.

Now I'm deep in thought with what I love most... engineering, designing and experimenting with materials. My plan is to create the same aesthetic of the wool and driftwood of the smaller Marrow Series but with a large 'live' tree and outside in the elements. This means thinking about waterproofing, noninvasive armatures to attach to the tree, scale of design etc.

The photos below show chicken wire arranged around the trunk. They map out the general placement of the marrow pieces and will hold them securely without harming the tree. This weekend I'll be testing waterproofing sprays for efficacy and their effects on wool and fiber. How this structure changes with the weather will be a study in itself and it is not meant to be permanent, but it does need to sustain a month of late autumn weather!

Stitched: Nature Constructed
Cushing Martin Gallery, Stonehill College
November 7 - December 12
Reception November 18, 6-8 pm

I'll be documenting the process over the next two weeks. Please check in often to see how it's coming along!

Synthesis

....a complex whole formed by combining. This best describes the process of my latest project, created for Arlington Public Art's Window Project directed by Adria Arch. I decided to use this opportunity to work on a new direction that has been teasing me for some time.

Motif (working title) is fabricated in a manner similar to traditional Irish Crochet where modular designs are crocheted over a cord with fine thread and then assembled. Invented in the mid 1800's as a way of enabling families and communities to survive the potato famine, it was a defining moment in Irish history, signifying their faith in the possibility of transcendent human achievement.

My motifs magnify and morph the traditionally delicate designs into large bendable shapes. Crocheted from recycled women's clothing over a fat upholstery cord and 14 gauge wire they become abstractions of primordial cellular forms. Painted on its exterior to reference the cotton ecru thread of the original craft, one can glimpse inside to view its true colors. And just like a cell membrane, each stitch works as a gatekeeper on the surface simultaneously preserving the self and expressing identity. 

Below is a photo of traditional irish crochet lace motif.... And below that you'll find images documenting my process... still a work in progress as it approaches its installation next week. More to come then.

Home Again

 

One Day has returned home once again. Its dance card has been very full over the past year and half, travelling from Minneapolis to Michigan to Framingham to D.C and others. This recent trip was its longest yet, almost six months spent at the Textile Museum in Washington D.C. as a part of the exhibit GREEN: A Color and a Cause.

It has been a wild, wonderful ride with lots of publicity and adoring fans. It may take some time for  One Day to readjust to the quiet of my studio. Not to fear... only a few weeks until Joy St Open Studios where it will once again be in the spotlight for all those who venture into studio #4.

What I did with my Summer Vacation

That phrase brings to mind a combo of Alice Cooper and Cheech and Chong with a little dose of my third grade teacher Miss Desmond. The difference is that I know they weren't nearly as enthralled with their summers as I was with mine this year. Good thing I suppose... there'd be a cultural void if they were.

I'd like to introduce my dog day harvest, four more members of
the Marrow series. For details please visit the page:
http://www.jodicolella.com/jodicolella.com/marrow_series.html Thanks!

 

Away

A week in Truro with only reading and exploring on my mind. There are no words to describe.

Photoshoot

Last week was about new beginnings... this one is about finishings. Completing a body of work always leads to the photoshoot, a day I look forward to with both excitement and trepidation. This is when I decide if it's ready to be let go. Of course all work is in a state of progression but some more than others. With the camera I can see that which I can be blind to with the naked eye.

The new work photographed this week has received its ticket to leave! It's off to Wild Things at the Gallery in the Round Barn in Waitsfield, Vermont. This show, juried by Stephanie Walker, is now even more special than before: Wild Things is a show of contemporary work inspired by nature and it is nature that scourged southern Vermont with hurricane Irene. I hope this show can help bring some positive light and diversion to a community in need.

Here are a couple of links to give context to the devastation and how to help support the relief:

http://www.onearth.org/blog/vermont-irene-damage
http://vtexchange.org/

New blog, new book, new day

With Irene behind us and the sun shining once again it's a day of new starts. No better time to finally launch my blog about the comings and goings of studio life at Joy Street.

The new Lark Publication '500 Felt Objects' has officially launched! I am a proud particpant with an array of my 'Seeds' exhibited on page 263. Please take the time to check this out. Inspiration for all fiber and non fiber enthusiasts alike. Beautifully photographed, this catalog contains "...a broad range of contemporary work in different styles, colors and forms from top artists and designers living across the globe." Juried by Susan Brown, associate curator of textiles at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in NYC.

Can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.