Monday, February 23, 2009

Disintegration collaboration project

What better project to join, than a disintegration project? My life, art, and home have disintegrated right now, so I found this the perfect project for me.

I learned about this project from Ingrid's blog. Her project description took me to Seth Apter's blog. Even if you don't join the project, you must check out these two blogs. Both artists are amazing and both offer unique perspectives to art.

The instructions are simple. According to Seth, "Create a paper bundle, any way you like. Place said bundle in nature. Post a "before" picture on your blog. Watch and Wait. It is that simple. Each artist will then reveal the result in an "after" picture posted on their own blog on May 1."

Originally I started by picking a glued book that easily fell apart as I was removing the signatures. I secured 5 circles bundles and tried to sandwich them between two chucks of pages using a heavy waxed cord.

I hung it outside under the protective covering of my eaves to see if it would withstand the weather and high winds. The cord held up well, but my wrapping didn't. So, yesterday, I brought it in and wrapped it in some of my heavy rather rusty wire. I then hung it on my clothes line, but didn't like it there because the circle bundles began slipping out of the bundle.

Back to the drawing board and my craft room, I further secured the bundle with some clothes pins, then remembered an old flower pot holder designed to fit on a gate or railing. The paint was long gone from it, so it was perfect to help the bundle disintegrate. It also was more exposed to the elements than my clothes line.

Originally, I stuck it with the wire side out, then realized how dangerous that could be.

So I turned it around and this is what you will be greeted with if you use my gate to enter the back yard. I might even throw in a few of those rusty elements that Dana and I found on the railroad tracks now that I'm sure the circles are a bit more secure.

The added bonus of placing this on my gate? I get a perfect view of it from my kitchen window.

6 thoughtful remarks:

Seth said...

So glad you have joined in! Looks like you found the perfect home for your bundle. Cannot wait to see it on May 1! I have added your name to the list of participants on the sidebar of my blog.

Vikki North said...

Hello Fair Artist and Bleubeard kitty,
We are artist also. At least that's what they call us. You may even know us. We'd like to invite you to a member of our very Private Club. We're very selective and only an elite few are welcome on our hallowed grounds. We pick you.

We even have a little 'chit chat' room just for the likes of you. It's rightfully called Dante's Pub. But when your enter BEWARE! You are entering the abyss of the artist mind! You may not find your way out.

You're welcome to watch from afar while drinking your brew or pull up a chair and join us for a little chat. Be sure and register and then log in. After all, this is a very private club. We don't allow just any wanderer in our midst.

Don't dilly dally now! It wont cost you a pence. Check out The Artist Challenge and Dante's Pub- that is if your daring and think yourself worthy to be amongst the souls we've claimed?

Farewell...until we hear from you,
Master Mike and the Pub Wench

Artist Challenge- http://www.theartistchallenge.com/
Dante‘s Pub - http://www.theartistchallenge.com/art-forum/

~*~Patty S said...

It's very exciting to see your special bundle AND you are so right, this is quite an amazing project! I am happy that I tagged along just in time! May will be here before we know it! Love what you said about your house, life and art disintegrating = I can SO relate!

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

I am very curious to see the results! The rolled up pieces remind me of bamboo, although I imagine the results of leaving rolled up paper outside will be much more dramatic!

The Paper Artist said...

Your design is as pretty as the finished product. Can't wait till May 1.

Mrs Pretzel said...

This is GREAT!! I love what you've done!!