Almost There

As usual, my intent to keep up with the blog has failed and I've neglected it for far too long. But there's good news! I installed my thesis exhibition this weekend and as soon as the lighting is adjusted I'll be done. It's such a relief and such a good feeling. It's been too long, but the knowledge that I've gained and the experience that I've had at school will stay with me, and it's a unique sense of accomplishment to have earned a degree, even if it's not one that's highly sought after. My reception is on Sunday, and I'll try to remember to post pictures.

Working On My Night Blog

I'm working my way toward my senior thesis, and I'm slightly adrift. I have no idea yet as to what I want to do for my show, so I'm trying out a few things in an independent study to see if anything grabs me. As part of this, I'm guest-blogging on the Fibers department's blog this semester. I may copy pasta my posts here, or I might just link to them; I haven't decided which. It'll be very weaving-heavy, since that's what I'm working on.

In other school-related news, I'm terrible at drawing and therefore hate Drawing II, even though I really like the teacher. I do get to draw dinosaurs every week, though, as part of an ongoing sketch assignment, so there's that. Speaking in public terrifies me, so Speech class isn't going well so far, but at least that's only once a week. Art Since 1900 isn't bad, though, because we get to study most of the artists I like. But at least I get to weave, so there is an up side to this semester.

Stay tuned for posts about my struggle to make up my mind!

Artsy Fartsy, Part 4: National Museum of American History

I promised this last week, and I've finally gotten around to sorting through my pictures and paring them down to show you the ones that I like best. As such, and since the National Museum of American History is not an art museum, this post is less arty than others in the Artsy Fartsy series.

I have a feeling that this is the building that most people think of when they talk about "The Smithsonian" in general terms. It doesn't even begin to cover a fraction of everything that the Smithsonian holds, but is a good general overview of American history and culture in general.

If you're there at the right time, you can see (and maybe help with the unfolding/folding of) this giant replica of the Star Spangled Banner written about by Francis Scott Key. The entire building seems to stop for the singing of the national anthem. I have to admit, I'm not much of one for flag-waving, but it was a moving moment.

Some other truly American items on display are the hat that Lincoln wore the night he was shot,

Eisenhower's golf clubs (are those cozies just knitted, or both knitted and crocheted? I can't tell.),

and one of the first Teddy bears named for Teddy Roosevelt.

Something I found interesting was this display of swatches from the Textile Color Card Association of the United States, Inc. The Color Association does the same thing most people associate with Pantone these days, determining the "in" colors.

And keeping with the theme of textiles, this swift from the 1800s is made of ivory and bone, and doesn't appear to be much different from the wooden umbrella swifts of today. Why tamper with what works?

American History doesn't have to mean it's only about things you learn in history class. Pop culture can also have a historical relevance. I bet anyone could tell me whose shoes these are, after all, and the film they were used in was made 73 years ago.

And is there any American under the age of 45 who didn't grow up with this guy?

I think the biggest indicator of change and development in technology and culture in the last 140 years can be summed up in this picture. How much more is the object on the left capable of than the one on the right, and how many more people are aware of it than of its antique predecessor, yet how much more impact did the original model have on the world?

Now, I just have to decide which branch of the Smithsonian I want to visit next. Let me consult my iPhone...

Artsy Fartsy, Part 3: The Renwick

Today's trip took me to Washington, D.C., to the Renwick Gallery. It's the section of the Smithsonian that focuses on American Craft, which is where my interests lie. See? It even handily informs you of what it houses.

The lower level was unfortunately closed so that a new exhibit could be installed, but I did get to look around on the second floor and see some fascinating pieces.

The first room I entered was the Salon, and one of the pieces there almost immediately drew my attention. When I saw who the painter was, I was unsurprised that I liked it so much, as one of my very favorite paintings is by the same artist and hangs in the Parthenon in Nashville. This is The Perfume of Roses, by Charles Courtney Curran.

The next piece that grabbed me was the one below, by Wendell Castle. It is entirely made of wood. No, that is not a sheet on top of it. Entirely made of wood. Yes, really.

The Renwick seemed to have a higher ratio of textile and fiber-related art than the Walters or the BMA did, which I was pleased with. None of the pieces really stood out to me, though, other than this one by Michael James.

But quite possibly my favorite piece is the last one I'm going to show you. I saw it in a magazine just a few months ago and wondered how they'd stiffened the dress to stay in that shape so well. Imagine my surprise when I read the article and found that it was made of glass. I had a newfound appreciation for the medium of glass, thanks to Karen LaMonte, and I'm ever so pleased that I got to see it in person.

In my next post, I'll show you the highlights of my time at the National Museum of American History.

Artsy Fartsy, Part 2: The Walters

It's hot in Baltimore. So hot that I decided I wasn't going to venture outside today unless absolutely necessary. This sort of weather is not made for fair-skinned redheads, so I'm sitting in front of the air conditioner, typing up this post about my latest museum adventure.

Yesterday I continued my tour of the local museums with a trip to The Walters. It's larger and possibly more varied than the BMA, and I saw a lot of things I liked or found inspiring, but surprisingly I decided I preferred the BMA overall.

I enjoyed seeing this piece, a late 18th or early 19th century figure carved from bone and depicting a woman spinning thread. There were surprisingly few textiles at either The Walters or the BMA, so anything related to fibers was a pleasure to look at.

Then there was this piece of armor, and I had to laugh because it looked to me as if it were made for an alien.

Another thing that had me giggling was the wall where a Monet piece was displayed.

Can you see the recently repaired spots on the wall? They look as if they're mimicking the sunlight dappling the girl's dress in the painting.

The Walters has a separate building dedicated to Asian art, and this "garden vessel" (I'm not sure if it's a planter or a fountain or what - it looks like it should be a fountain, if you ask me) was probably my favorite piece in that area, even moreso than the teapots, and I love teapots.

And of course, there was all sorts of woodwork with geometric patterns, which I am absolutely crazy about.

Even the wrought iron on the outside of the windows was in a wonderful geometric pattern.

I think I preferred the BMA to the Walters just because a lot of the Walters' collection is Christian art, and there are only so many paintings of Mary and Jesus I can look at before it gets to be really, really boring. If that's your thing, though, you are set. I did enjoy the ancient art and artifacts, though, and seeing an x-ray of a cat mummy was pretty nifty.

Now I'm going to keep trying not to melt. Stay cool, northern hemisphereans!

Artsy Fartsy, Part 1: BMA

I'm staying with some friends in Maryland this summer, and since I'm an art student, the free museums in the Baltimore and DC areas are a huge draw. I plan to visit several, and will be posting about each one.

Today I visited The Baltimore Museum of Art. I enjoyed the short walk over there, and spent a few hours on the grounds, checking out the art inside as well as the sculpture garden. I even spent a little while knitting in front of an Alexander Calder piece.

Two of my favorite pieces in the collection are these by Claude Monet, one depicting Waterloo Bridge, the other showing Charing Cross Bridge.

There were a lot of other ones that I enjoyed for various reasons (and surprisingly, some of them were modern American pieces, which I'm not typically fond of) but it's hard to beat a Monet.

When I saw this next piece, I had to stop and do a double-take, because we studied it in my Craft History class last semester.

It's a glass vase by Lalique, called 'Tourbillons.' The popular study method for Craft History classes ensures that some pieces of art I can simply look at and immediately know when, where, or by whom they were made, and I looked at this and instantly thought "1925." I guess my brain's doing something right.

Some of the pieces I found most inspiring, though, were from the Antioch Mosaics. Their use of color and shape was wonderful, and I found myself wanting to incorporate something similar into my knitting or weaving.

I guess it's off to the drawing board with me!