Janet Echelman

As you know I have been pursuing some textile sculpture ideas of late.. mainly those that have to do with the manipulation of a single thread. I have come across this rather amazing lady from the US who is just.. well.. inspiring to say the least. Most of her work uses the public environment as a canvas on which to imprint her incredible textile forms and with the use of light at night and, sometimes manipulating the physical environment, there's a lil' bit of magic that occurs.
Structurally speaking the thread is netted together, similar to that of a dream-catcher, and suspended in numerous ways usually with the aid of large metal circular shapes within the pieces and huge supports strategically placed around the outside. Have a look.... and, if you are as in love as I am, have a watch of the interview with Janet at the end.
Peace. xxxxx

public art_ take one: the tone-setter

this week I am beginning my travelling enquiry into Public Art in Sydney. The reason for this is simple... I was at a party on the weekend and someone asked me "but what public art is there in Sydney? what's your favourite piece?" To which I was a little bit stumped. I mean there have been HEAPS of temporary pieces, and maybe at the end of this enquiry I will conclude that good public art in Sydney IS temporary, but nothing really permanent and in a really public space (I mean the Art Gallery of NSW and the matches etc are wonderful but I think it still classifies as the Art Gallery). SO! Here this blog here.

This first entry is obviuosly not Sydney-based stuff. In fact it intentionally excludes Sydney so I can get a feel of a global environment. This is such a tiny and biased selection that really would not stand up in court, but it shows the kind of thing I'm going to look for in Sydney.... modern sculptures, graffiti, architecture, statues, enormous, tiny, light-based, fountains, etc etc. I am also asking everyone to send me suggestions or favourites as we journey into the public domain and immerse ourselves in the glory of saying something publicly....with metal and fibre, enamel and stick. Standing nude in the face of laymen opinions. Pulling back the curtains on an enjoyable stroll through the urban dust. ahhhh. Off we go......