Tuesday, July 30, 2013

An Engaging Exhibition: El Anatsui


El Anatsui's current exhibition, Gravity and Grace, at the Brooklyn Museum through August 18th, is truly a show not to MIS!  His monumental textiles and sculptures speak volumes, drawing visitors in for a closer look.  These works transcend most people's imagination, as far as the fate of their twist off bottle caps and tin cans go!  This contemporary African artist truly turns trash into treasure.   

Breathtaking blues spill onto the floor...

The most exciting thing for me, as a visitor, was how engaged everyone with the exhibit.  Usually, in a museum, there are those who look bored on a bench or are detached from the work, but Anatsui's work seemingly had the opposite effect. Each visitor seemed to have a connection to the work whether it was through their curious body language...


or their clothing!


His works are ever changing  with each new environment they travel to.  A security guard at the Museum explained to us that Anatsui let the curators place, hang, and shape his work how they so desired.  The artist only visited after to check in on his work and did not change a thing :)

You will leave this show with an uplifted spirit and a new perspective.  I recommend visiting on Saturday August 3rd at Target First Saturdays, which are always fun festivity filled evenings at the Museum!

Check it out before August 18th, learn more here!

Enjoy, 
Margo Isadora  



"Walls are meant to block views, but they only block the view of the eye - the ocular view - not the imaginative view.  When the eye scans a certain barrier, the eye tends to go beyond that barrier.  Walls reveal more than they hide." - El Anatsui

A Seemingly Tactile Painting...

Growing Tin Can Pipes

Labor that is well worth it... Stunning

She matches the work!

New perspectives in every fold...

Her black dress an sliver of red bag, could it get more perfect?!

A final monumental thought.

Friday, July 12, 2013

A Transformation: Vest to Backpack!


I was challenged to create a garment that transforms into a carrying case of some kind, in my 3D, Body as Form, class. I first made the muslin vest pattern then started the daunting transformation by returning to something I knew well, origami.  I figured some thoughtful folding and zippers could create the interesting streamlined bag I was envisioning!  

Can you incorporate the element of surprise (transformation) into your next project?! See how I did it below.

Enjoy,
Margo Isadora

p.s. click on photos to enlarge

Muslin pattern with basted on zippers after my origami play worked out!

Basted muslin backpack

The 'Origami' Instructions are easy enough!

Views of my drapey vest!

(As one can see in the directions the grey strip at the bottom of the vest was a design element that also helped clarify the first folding directions. Transformative design needs to function!)

All zipped up... no vest to be seen!

A delicious drape

She can't wait till the weather's cool so she can be worn again!