Pigment Branch Rings

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So, maybe I was a little to optimistic about my rings being finished.  After conferring with my mentor, she expressed the concern that, “They take away from the wonderful rings you have done if they are really recognizable as what I can buy at the store.”  I think she is right, in fact the purchased … Read more

Pigment Branch: I think I have something!

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These rings are made with some aluminium watchmaker cases in their centre; making them durable and fitting for the aluminium outer rings.  I’m beginning to like these!  They have a certain quality that I think quietly speaks of a process being carefully done.  Their pivotablity is is a nice detail and I think that they … Read more

Pigment Branch: Still more rings

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Here’s another ring design: The centre of this one is made from a pyrex petri dish. The glass really adds a lightness that I like and at this scale one can really see the pigment’s texture.  Also, the pigment application is simple, so it would work well with keeping up with the process.  That said, … Read more

Tekhelet blue

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Dina Kraft has written a really interesting article in the New York Times about the discovery of a 2,000-year-old textile thought to be an example of tekhelet blue. While tekhelet blue is usually thought to be sky-blue, this new research suggests that it is in fact a bluish-purple.

The whole article is worth a read, but I especially liked the quote from Dr. Zvi Koren, the researcher who discovered the dye; in addressing the change of symbolism this colour-shift might indicate, he said, “It’s not the color of the sky as we know it; it’s the color of sky at midnight. It’s when you are all alone at night that you reach out to God, and that is what tekhelet reminds you of.”

You can read the whole article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/world/middleeast/28blue.html

Pigment Branch: More Rings

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I continue to experiment with different forms of rings for my pigment branches. My latest idea is to put the pigment in-between two layers of glass, but how to attach the two layers is tricky.  So far the only metal malleable enough is lead, and this is heavy and will tarnish to a flat grey … Read more

Chasing the Mountains

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I arrived in Abbotsford, British Columbia late last night.  This is my first trip to BC, and when I came out of my hotel the following morning the first thing I did was scan the horizon for mountains.  At first it was still too dark, then it was cloudy, then foggy … By late afternoon I was beginning to suspect that the mountains were just a myth, but then a colleague of mine decided the we should go chasing after them.  Despite the threatening clouds and hail, Joanne wasn’t going to give up … and then, for a moment, the sun appeared and the horizon took shape.

I’m sure that those living in the area won’t think much of the mountain I caught, but the chase was fun and the first glimpse of something is always special.

Pigment Branch: Ring

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The structure of my pigment branches has gotten quite focused at this point: Each ring will be of a constant size and be identical in it’s joints.  Each rod will also be of a constant thread (therefore interchangeable within the whole structure). This standardization means that no one part of the branch will be given … Read more

Pigment Branch: Pigment

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Placing the pigment inside the ring of my pigment branches has been more difficult that I first imagined … My first attempt was to wedge a gessoed board into the ring, then I tried a sphere: In both cases the ring being completely filled deadened the ring. This morning I hit upon the idea of … Read more

Pigment Branch: Prototype

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After working with my initial idea over a fortnight I’ve realized that I’d like this work to be more sculptural and not confined it to a wall. To that end each colour branch will be growing out of a single trunk. The branching effect has taken some effort to achieve, but a conversation with my … Read more

MMX Berlin exhibition announced!

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I’ve received some exciting news: Through the vision and hard work of some of my classmates at the Transart Institute, our MFA graduate show will be at the MMX Open Art Venue, in Mitte, Berlin.  The exhibition is set to open July 23rd and end August 12th.

This is an amazing space (roughly 6000 ft² in the commercial art district of Berlin) and a chance to work with a curatorial group that has put on some great shows in the past.