Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Display

This installation by Jim Hodges, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum is titled You.  In my mind, I've linked Jim Hodges' artwork with a photo by fellow student Josie McKinney. There's a delicate tenderness that I appreciate in both pieces-- an attention to the character of each flower, captured not in the prime of its existence, but rather just before wilting.  You is essentially a curtain of old silk flowers, broken down and pieced together again.  I think a similar curtain constructed of old clothing remnants cut into flowers and sewed together could be a provocative installation in one of the front windows at the Salvation Army's Select store.  I'm imagining a majority of white flowers (stained, faded, bleached, or faintly patterned) paired with red flowers (in all shades ranging from pink to maroon), hanging up like an heirloom quilt, laced with the sentiment and character of worn clothing-- like old skin, bruised petals and fingerprints.

You by Jim Hodges



        Photo by Josie McKinney 

I constructed a 1'x1' prototype following Jim Hodges' process more or less.  I simply cut a series of flower shapes (layering my fabric for efficiency), then I pinned them to a paper towel being sure to overlap the petals.  From here it was just a matter of sewing across the overlaps and then tearing away the paper towel.

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