Craftzine.com blog: Arts Archives

Arts Archive: Arts

December 1, 2008

Knitted Pelts

I just finished a series of knitted pelts, made from all animal-free materials (cotton, acrylic, wooden frames, etc.). I look up images of particular animal pelts (the one above is a squirrel) and hand-knit the shapes before mounting. They'll be on display at the ASU sculpture show, Flirting with Disaster, this Friday at Bragg's Pie Factory in downtown Phoenix.

Flirting with Disaster
Friday, December 5, 6-9pm
Bragg's Pie Factory
1301 NW Grand Ave, Phoenix (at McKinley)

Steampunk Sewing Machine and Steampunk Show in Phoenix

You know steampunk has gone mainstream when it seeps into academic institutions... I recently was given a steampunk assignment in one of my sculpture/metalworking classes, so I modded a vintage Kenmore sewing machine with some spare parts from Phoenix's favorite junk shop, Apache Reclamation. The propellers on the drive wheel and thread spool spin when the machine is running.

This piece as well as many, many others will be on display at First Studio in downtown Phoenix this friday, December 5 as part of a steampunk show put on by Arizona State University.

ASU's evening of Steampunk
Friday, December 5, 6-10pm (part of the First Friday art walk)
First Studio
631 N. 1st Ave. Phoenix

November 30, 2008

A.M. Eye Candy - Quilt Pin Art

Kristy Hall has a post up featuring several different works of art created with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of pins. Featured above is Oil Spill by Lisa Kellner, which uses quilting pins. She showcases several artists and their pin work, so it's worth checking out her full post to see more amazing pieces.

November 28, 2008

Microscopic Photography

Check out this extreme close-up of velcro. Drawn! recommends that you "get inspired by new textures, patterns, and shapes found in the world of microscopic photography."

November 25, 2008

Artful Vegetables

Chinese artist Ju Duoqi has recreated Western masterpieces in vegetables to amazing effect.

"In the summer of 2006, I bought a few kilograms of peas, and sat there quietly for two days peeling them, before stringing them on a wire and turning them into a skirt, a top, a headdress and a magic wand. I used a remote control to take a photo of myself in them, and named it Pea Beauty Pageant. That was my first work of vegetable art," Ju Duoqi said, recalling her first vegetable composition.

The Guardian has a neat video of her process.

November 20, 2008

Yarn Performance Video by Jeanne Jo

This is a really interesting performance video with yarn by Jeanne Jo. It looks like she reversed the footage of unraveling the garment from up in the tree.

More:

Knitted Interfaces for Technology

November 19, 2008

Koi Shoes

Wow, look at these gorgeous golden Koi fish custom-painted shoes!

In the Maker Shed:

Craft:07 - The Shoe Issue

A.M. Eye Candy - Garland Forest

Check out these inspiring and beautiful images from Jill Bliss and Saelee Oh's opening this last weekend at Tinlark.

November 18, 2008

Tattoo Baby Doll Project

Sherri Wood embroiders tattoos on fabric dolls drawn by female tattoo artists from around the USA. She writes:

I find cloth bodied baby dolls at thrift shops and send them to tattoo artists who then draw original tattoos directly on the dolls. They send the dolls back to me and I hand embroider the images on the cloth bodies. Twelve of sixteen dolls have been completed to date. The dolls, like their artists, are of different races, religious and sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. Each collaborating artist is asked to consider her response to tattooing the doll along with my feedback and response to embroidering the doll. From there she is encouraged to name and then write a short statement or story about her doll.

I have been working on the project since 1998. The idea originated while I was in residence at the Headlands Center for the Arts. While studying the history of embroidery, I was simultaneously fascinated by all of the incredible tattoos I was seeing in San Francisco. Like embroidery, tattoo seemed to carry on a similar tradition of deeply symbolic images that worked to form community and served to define and empower those within the community in various ways. I chose to recycle and transform used and discarded dolls as a direct vehicle for merging the two art forms.

The Tattoo Baby Doll Project serves to break down barriers and prejudices about women's work and roles, tattoo subculture, craft and art. The project strikes a subtle balance between these varied traditions and the communities they represent, thus questioning the lines that define, separate and empower each tradition. It draws together two distinct and distant marginal groups. Yet the unusual juxtaposition between embroidery and tattoo makes sense because it exposes an underlying metaphor intrinsic to both marginal groups. It is through the recognition of shared metaphors that cultural hierarchies and personal prejudices begin to break down.

More:

November 17, 2008

Luv-able + Hug-able Show Opening

It's the time of year for the Luv-able + Hug-able plush show at Gallery Hanahou. The show features plushes hand made by over 30 artists and crafters from all over the world including some of our favorites like Kup Kup Land, Anna Hrachovec and Blythe Church. If you are in New York, it is definitely worth a visit.

Luv-able and Hug-able

December 4 - January 7
Opening party: December 4, 6-9 pm
Gallery Hanahou
611 Broadway, Suite 730
New York, NY

Related

Kup Kup Land Dolls for Luv-able Hug-able Show
Pictures from Luv-able and Hug-able 2007
Knitted Henry VIII and All His Wives

Posted by Michelle Kempner | Nov 17, 2008 08:00 PM
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Janice Jakielski's Body-dressing Art

Janice Jakielski creates interesting forms that fit to the human body and infer some kind of change in perception through sound or sight. The beautifully handcrafted hat-like forms suggest a poetic function. Check out her site for close-ups, the construction is really intricate and interesting! (Thanks, Marco!)

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 17, 2008 03:00 PM
Arts, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | TrackBack

November 14, 2008

Sewing Machine to Visualize Sound

Jonah @ MAKE writes:

The "Visible Sound" project attempts to create a physical version of the sound around it by sewing sound waves in realtime. Although this was just a concept, we like ways of making invisible objects like sound waves into tangible forms.

This concept model looks like a stereo faceplate on a modified sewing machine, but I can't imagine it would be too difficult to rig up some sound sensing equipment to adjust the width of the zigzag stitch on a sewing machine.

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 14, 2008 03:00 PM
Arts, Sewing, Sewing Machines, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email Entry | TrackBack

Art Swap at Arizona State University

Here's a fun event happening this Sunday if you're in or around Phoenix, AZ: Current and former grad students in art are bringing work for sale and trade in celebration of clearing out their studios and celebrating art giving for the holidays. From the flyer:
Prints! Drawings! Photographs! Ceramics! Sculpture! Paintings! EPHEMERA! Oh MY!
Current and Former ASU Art Graduate Students are clearing out their studios and letting go of their originals at bargain basement prices for one day only!

Fine Art Swap Meet
Sunday, November 16th, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Neeb Plaza, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

No entry fee. Cash, check & paypal payment accepted. Come early for the best selection!

Featured Artists:
Mindy Sue Meyers
Corie Cole
Marco Rosichelli
Jana Evans
Nick DeFord
Melissa McGurgan
Peter Bugg
Ryan P. Miller
Becky Stern
Ellie Richards
Chad White
Arius Elvikis

Snatch up some amazing deals before the Holidays! We hope to see you at the Swap!

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 14, 2008 01:00 PM
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November 13, 2008

Ann Morton's Political Fiber Art in Phoenix

At the monthly art walk in downtown Phoenix last Friday I came across the work of Ann Morton, a local fibers artist. Her show spanned the election week, so it was highly energized and reflected a lot of historic ideas and events of the last presidential term. The show is up at Modified Arts at 407 E. Roosevelt St in Phoenix. More pictures of the show at my Flickr. Above: The Seat of Secret Society (yes, those are cockroaches) and Friendly Fire.

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 13, 2008 01:00 PM
Arts, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | TrackBack

Whip Up 2009 Calendar

Whip Up released their first ever calendar for 2009 featuring 13 artists, designers and crafters from the site. The calendar is available for print on demand at redbubble.

Posted by Michelle Kempner | Nov 13, 2008 07:00 AM
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Band-Aid Bear

Laurie spotted jbl thistle's Band-Aid Bear on Flickr. This little guy is made with band-aids, thread, wool stuffing and sewn by machine and hand.

Posted by Michelle Kempner | Nov 13, 2008 05:00 AM
Amigurumi and Toys, Arts, Sewing | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | TrackBack

November 12, 2008

"In It Together" @ Tinlark Gallery, Sat. November 15

If you're near L.A., stop by Tinklark Gallery on Saturday night to check out a mixed media installation by Jill Bliss and Saelee Oh inspired by their fourth annual collaborative calendar project.

Presenting: 13 new very limited edition giclee prints, 3 new silkscreen prints, large paper cut out, ceramic porcelain pieces, mixed media dioramas/sculptures, fabric necklace garlands and much more.

Show runs: Nov. 15th - Dec. 6th
Opening reception: Saturday, November 15, 5-8pm
Music by Sara Lov at 7 pm
Main gallery: Nicholas Bohac and Matthew Rodriguez

Tinlark Gallery
Crossroads of the World
6671 Sunset Boulevard, #1512
Hollywood, CA 90028
ph: 323.463.0039
parking at Crossroads of the World lot on Las Palmas just north of Sunset

Posted by Jenny Ryan | Nov 12, 2008 05:00 PM
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Knitted Graffiti Roundup

The Deputy Dog site has a nice roundup of knitted graffiti pieces (ok, some are crochet), many of which we've seen on here before. Fun!

Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 12, 2008 03:00 PM
Arts, Crochet, Fiber Art, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email Entry | TrackBack

November 11, 2008

Embroidery from Bathroom Graffiti

Frances Goodman embroiders scenes from bathroom stall walls! Disclaimer: adult language (the kind in bathroom graffiti) is used. Via PT @ MAKE.
More:
Posted by Becky Stern | Nov 11, 2008 03:00 PM
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Creative Food Manipulation

Dark Roasted Blend has a roundup of creative food manipulations. They include some old favorites and new creative food ideas. via Drawn!

Related
- Suspect and Fugitive Daily Project
- Jar Jar Binks Salad
Posted by Michelle Kempner | Nov 11, 2008 07:00 AM
Arts, Food | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email Entry | TrackBack

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