If you read this blog, it’s likely that you are a fiber lover and that you appreciate the lengths people (like yourself) go to to manipulate string, thread and yarn to create something amazing. With that in spirit, I hope you check out some wonderful happenings taking place in Summit right now.
Most pressing, the Summit Film Society will be playing “Yarn,” a documentary film at Mondo this Friday, October 11 at 7pm. The SFS does a wonderful job of bringing interesting, thoughtful films to the community to share and discuss. “Yarn” follows four artists as they blur the line between craft and art, bringing fibers onto the streets and into our lives. We are delighted to be a part of this conversation and we hope to see you there! For more information, click here.
Additionally, there is a striking exhibit at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey called Painted Threads. Curator Mary Birmingham describes the exhibit as “a synergy between fine art and craft.” As a fiber lover, I enjoyed this collection of artists expanding upon handwork that I otherwise consider quite accessible. The works combine painting and weaving in all different orders.
One incredible piece called Computer 1.0 (a collaboration between inventory/programmer Julian Goldman and artist Victoria Manganiello) uses completely unconventional materials in a woven piece, with a computer and pump pushing colored water through woven polymer tubing. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I saw this one, as it was completely unexpected and conjured so much fun imagery.
I delighted in little details, like the fact that yarn used for the weft in Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson’s Hvitserkur had been hand-dyed before they were woven. (The piece was subsequently painted again on the loose warp and weft threads before being interlaced on the loom.)
The plethora of materials used in Desire Rebecca Moheb-Zandi’s Maze is a delight, and boggles my mind as I wonder how she managed to combine such a disparate group of textures and materials harmoniously – on a loom.
I am purposefully showing you just a hint of this striking exhibit. It will be at the Visual Arts Center until early February. I know I will go see it again (and again) and I hope to take in a little something extra every time. I hope that when you see this exhibit, it helps you see how amazing and wonderful it is when you put your needles and string together to make something special of your own.
The Visual Arts Center is located at 68 Elm Street in Summit, NJ. You can get more details here: artcenternj.org
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