Tag Archives: textiles

New Portraits by Kumi Yamashita Made with Nails, Thread, and Denim

New Portraits by Kumi Yamashita Made with Nails, Thread, and Denim thread textiles portraits nails denim

Two new portraits this morning from one of my favorite artists Kumi Yamashita (previously). The first one is part of her Constellation series titled Mana #2. The portrait is made from a single unbroken sewing thread wrapped through a dense network of galvanized nails, a process that takes several months. The second artwork, Mother #2, is part of her ongoing Warp and Weft series where Yamashita works with a panel of black denim and then meticulously cuts threads from the fabric to form an image. If you happen to be in California, both works will be in a group show from April 20th through June 1st, 2013 at Scott White Contemporary Art in La Jolla. You can also now follow the artist over on Facebook.

Suspended Horses Made of Wool Thread Dipped in Tar and Latex by Sandrine Pelletier

Suspended Horses Made of Wool Thread Dipped in Tar and Latex by Sandrine Pelletier textiles latex horses

GoodBye Horses is a 2009 installation by artist Sandrine Pelletier at galerie Rosa Turetsky. The three galloping horses were created using suspended wool coated in black latex and tar, resulting in a stark contrast between the chaotic lines of the figures against the white gallery walls. From some angles the horses are unrecognizable, but even when brought into focus appear to be haphazard, almost violent illustrations. See much more on her website.

By Christopher on March 28, 2013 • horses latex textiles

An Ornate Rug Made of Discarded Computer Parts and Other Electrical Objects

An Ornate Rug Made of Discarded Computer Parts and Other Electrical Objects textiles computers

Although we just covered the work of Federico Uribe a few days ago in this space, the artist also shared with me this additional work which I thought warranted its own post. Titled Tapete (Carpet) the work is a large carpet made from thousands of perfectly placed computer components: fans, cables, keyboard keys, motherboards, mice, and other parts. I recommend not wiping your feet here. Photography by Pipe Yanguas.

By Christopher on March 27, 2013 • computers textiles

Out of Disorder: Topographical Maps Carved from Electrical Tape and Intricate Thread Sculptures by Takahiro Iwasaki

Out of Disorder: Topographical Maps Carved from Electrical Tape and Intricate Thread Sculptures by Takahiro Iwasaki thread textiles sculpture

When first approaching the artwork of Japanese artist Takahiro Iwasaki it’s entirely possible you might miss it altogether. Not only are his small buildings and electrical towers excruciatingly small and delicate, but they also rest on absurdly mundane objects: rolls of tape, a haphazardly wrinkled towel, or from the bristles of a discarded toothbrush. Only on close inspection do the small details come into focus, faint hints of urbanization sprouting from disorder. My favorite pieces are his topographical maps that have been carefully cut from thick rolls of gray and blue electrical tape. Many of these objects were on view as part of the Constellations show at Cornerhouse in Manchester back in 2011 and at C24 Gallery last year. However Iwasaki currently has a new collection of much larger works at the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at GOMA in Queensland, much of which you can see over at designboom. (via artscharity.org, cornerhouse, c24 gallery, karl steel)

By Christopher on February 23, 2013 • sculpture textiles thread

Favorite Place: An Embroidered Stop-Motion Music Video for Black Books by Christophe Thockler

Favorite Place: An Embroidered Stop Motion Music Video for Black Books by Christophe Thockler textiles stop motion sewing embroidery animation

Is this the first music video made exclusively with embroidery and sewing implements? I’m gambling yes. Directed, filmed, and produced by Christophe Thockler the clip uses 10,000 photographs of needles, thread, cloth and embroidery, mixed with clever lighting techniques to produce a fun video for Favorite Place, the latest track by US pop rock band Black Books.

By Christopher on February 5, 2013 • animation embroidery sewing stop motion textiles

Suspended Shirt Installations by Kaarina Kaikkonen

Suspended Shirt Installations by Kaarina Kaikkonen textiles multiples installation clothing

Using hundreds of second-hand shirts Finnish environmental artist Kaarina Kaikkonen creates site-specific installations suspended above roadways or inside large warehouse spaces. Her most recent work Are We Still Going On? (top images), was conceived at Collezione Maramotti, a private collection of contemporary art in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and involves hundreds of children’s shirts hung in rows to resemble the interior hull of a giant ship. The shirts are organized by color on each side of the skeletal boat to represent a sort of symbolic dialogue about gender. You can learn more over on Art Texts Pics and see a brief video of the piece here. (via global art news)

By Christopher on February 4, 2013 • clothing installation multiples textiles

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors textiles scissors performance art embroidery
Photo by Rino Pizzi

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors textiles scissors performance art embroidery
Photo by Blue

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors textiles scissors performance art embroidery
Photo by Rino Pizzi

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors textiles scissors performance art embroidery
Photo by Christy Cochran

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors textiles scissors performance art embroidery

Artist Beili Liu Embroiders Underneath Hundreds of Suspended Scissors textiles scissors performance art embroidery
Photo by Art Night Austin

The Mending Project was a 2011 installation and performance art piece by Austin-based artist Beili Liu. The work involved an ongoing process wherein visitors were invited to cut pieces of fabric from a giant cloth upon entering the space, the fragments of which Liu then stitched back together creating a giant patchwork that gradually encircled the artist. The concept seems harmless enough if it weren’t for the ominous array of downward-facing scissors suspended above her workspace.

The installation consists of hundreds of Chinese scissors suspended from the ceiling, pointing downwards. The hovering, massive cloud of scissors alludes to distant fear, looming violence and worrisome uncertainty. The performer sits beneath the countless sharp blades of the scissors, and performs an on-going simple task of mending. [...] As each visitor enters the space, one is asked to cut off a piece of the white cloth hung near the entrance, and offer the cut section to the performer. She then continuously sews the cut pieces onto the previous ones. The mended fabric grows in size throughout the duration of the performance, and takes over the vast area of the floor beneath the scissors.

The Mending Project was part of Art Night Austin 2011 and was on display at Women & Their Work Gallery (via job’s wife)

By Christopher on August 14, 2012 • embroidery performance art scissors textiles

A Sun of Thread: 84 Miles of String Suspended at MIA by HOT TEA

A Sun of Thread: 84 Miles of String Suspended at MIA by HOT TEA textiles sun string installation

Known mostly in for his graffiti-influenced string tags on the streets of Minneapolis, Eric Rieger aka HOT TEA (previously here and here), recently completed this massive installation at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Titled Letting Go, the piece uses 84 miles of colored string that forms the artist’s interpretation of the sun. In a statement about the work Rieger says:

At least once in our lives we have all had to let go of something we truly love. Whether it be a pet, personal object or in some cases, loved ones. This piece is my interpretation of the sun. The sun brings life and also represents happiness, warmth and energy. When letting go of something or someone we truly love, sometimes it is okay to celebrate their lives along with mourning. This piece represents the warmth and love I have received from those I have had to let go of.

Definitely check out the timelapse of the installation, the upside-down haircut at the end looks like it was a lot of fun. Letting Go will be on view through Septmeber 2 at MIA. Photographs courtesy Amanda Hankerson and Eric Rieger. (thnx, rob!)