The Art of Assemblage and Sharing the Love of It! plus Artifacts and Alchemy #2

My friend Marti Lameti asked me to step into her class and share my {love} of Assemblage sculpture work.  This is dangerous, as I can talk about it for hours and show 10 ways to put any two pieces of seemingly unrelated junk together with the amazing products and processes that are available.

 

 

I only had 2.5 hours and most of that time needed to be spent letting the students build a self portrait sculpture out of a pile of stuff I brought augmented by scraps from the OHS art room, so I elected to be short and sweet with the information, giving plenty of time for the students to work on their own while strolling around the tables giving suggestions on how to get the pile of {precious} stuff to stay together.  Also, Marti asked me to talk about how I got here to assemblage, how I work, and the importance of the "story" and personal connection to the self-portrait.

 

Artifacts and Alchemy was {satisfied} this week by donating artifacts to the cause and the alchemy of interaction with students and sharing of information on what I've {learned}.

 

This was a very focused group and a true pleasure to work with, as they wanted to get right to work, but listened (and asked questions) to my short speech about myself (yikes!) and some suggestions on working with "stuff" as a process.

 

The very first "official" museum recognition of assemblage as an art form in the USA was in 1961.  Before that, even as early as 1913 people who were considered artists were taking everyday materials around them and incorporating them into their art. 

{I believe}, honestly, that people grow in emotional attachments to things and so, I believe that assemblage is part of our human nature, our history, our "way" as humans.  Assemblage has always been an art form.  We "assemble" our living spaces and the clothes we prefer wearing and the little display in the bathroom for our guests to {admire} while they wash their hands.  We serve dinner to guests on the special dishes for guests and they (the dishes) match the tablecloth and include our grandmother's silverware.  We love presentation and delight in textures and recall memories of childhood from the smell of bread, or paint, or lilacs.

We take {comfort} in everyday things and we have always made art out of them. We have buried loved ones with them or passed them on as heirlooms. 

They are alive with energy from being created and used and {loved}.

Upon the return to the blog...and the soul searching stuff

Photo by Michael D-L Jordan.  2011.

It would be difficult to recount all the things that have happened over the last year or so. 
I could write for ages and never, ever give a full account of the craziness, wonderfulness, cry-till-you-throw-up-ness of the whole thing.

So.  The gallery supports itself.  I teach art during the week.  I adore my family.

I will be 46 years old this month.  I've begun for the first time to write in a journal on a regular, but not daily, basis.  This works very well to get rid of the stress and also I seem to remember that I have actually written a to-do list in there.  For a time in my life, I felt for some reason that keeping everything in separate journals was the "pure" way to do things.  A journal for quotes and a journal for sketches and a journal for the daily stuff.  The reality is that does not work and I can't remember to keep everything divided up, so it all goes into one and I separate it out every couple of weeks as the mood strikes me.

When I say separateI mean I highlight and scribble and pick out the good stuff to use for the gallery, or an art lesson, or a sculpture.  The rest is rubbish, but it's good to know there are usable ideas roaming around in my head.

The journal mentioned returning to the blog.  That is a usable idea.  I warn you that while I am equipped with a camera phone and the need to do good in the world, both remain a little blurry and undefined.

Here is what I know:
I can post knowledgeable information about art tools and techniques, stories about running a gallery, instructions for messy school art projects and TMI about my personal art path. 
 

The Pledge

I pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that my thriftiness brings!

Signed -

Mistie

The Rules

• 1.
  No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
• 2.
  In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
• 3.
  You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
• 4.
  You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

I will spend time over my holiday break getting my wardrobe to a more simple, manageable size and determine what pieces can be refashioned and those that should be given away. The challenge begins January 1.

Hmm.

Feeling a little weird these last few days. Been ill, so not a lot of art work to show.
Thinking about work, only four weeks and back to school. And about art work. I always do this when I'm really liking something I'm working on.

I like to do so many things. Is it a blessing or a curse to be able to do many things? I am an art chameleon. My entire life I have been able to design and produce for others on demand.
In college, I was a theater major, but a design major, not an actor. Props, and stage and costume. More college, and I was in graphic design and photography. Now I design lesson plans so anyone can do art and I get to plan my artistic day around the needs of people who want to learn everything they can about art. ( and it is gloriously fun, I might add.)

So, now I am in my groove and I worry. Am I neglecting this other skill? I haven't sewn anything, or made any paper, or constructed an assemblage piece. How do I decide which one is worthy to work on when they all make me happy? Why do I have to feel so scattered when I am in the midst of having a ball and learning something?

Already the shooting stars were falling; some, quite near. Others continued over the Mire and on to the Deepwoods beyond. While one - shining more brightly than the rest - went on further than the professor could even see.

"Curious,' he whispered. The wind howled and the tower creaked. 'Very Curious.'
--The Edge Chronicles

Journal Page

I am afraid of drawing.

I never used to be. I use simple drawing everyday for teaching. But, I'm talking details, and taking time. Composing a picture in and of itself for the presentation of a drawing.

So that seemed a good place to start in my journal. Of course, I could never not collage in some way. So I use a bit from the Signals catalog and some words from an old school reader, plus plenty of masking tape. Sorry about the scan lines.

Connie mentioned a book to me. "Art and Fear" She said that it changed a lot of things for her. My husband carries it around and leaves it at his bedside. He said it changed a lot of things for him, and he likes to look at it to remind him of the important parts. I will have to sneak a peek at this book, since there seems to be some connections going on here with it.

And I am working on being brave. :)