One of my string net experiments 1990-92
These one was based on this papercut I showed recently
Lisa, I meant to email these to you in December for your classes. The last image is shadow.
I was really flattered when Lisa wanted to show her students some of the development of my college work that included my papercuts of 1991 that I showed last year. These string nets were part of that ongoing body of work (more about this in the comments for this post). I laid down a pile of my nets while I set up these shots and now they are all covered in black cat and dog hairs, time to find the tweezers.
16 comments:
My piscean obsession with fish and the sea has also always manifested itself in a love of nets (not that I like to see fish in them). When I'm on a beach I find it impossible not to collect any washed up nets, from tiny fragments that fit in your hand to huge 40ft nets, especially if they are blue. If it can be dragged home, it gets dragged home.
So I suppose it was inevitable that I would start making my own nets. I began with simple ones but later used macrame and other knotting techniques (taught to me by my granny when I was wee) to make more patterned looking pieces that would match my textile designs and papercuts. They all influenced each other.
When I switched to Jewellery & Metalsmithing we had a class trip to Germany (staying in Munich) where I visited a museum that had a room full of exhibits about historical fishing and netmaking. I got really hooked then and started to research old techniques a lot more. As is so often the case, I didn't include any of my work in my final show because a friend started creating wire nets around her bowls and I wanted our pieces looking similar. Regular readers will know I have a habit of dropping my work like a hot potato the minute I see something similar being made elsewhere. The desire to make original work is so strong but the widening of my visual horizons through blogs is finally teaching me that there will always be someone making something similar in some way, using the same techniques, inspired by the same themes or working with the same materials. It's just the way it is, so maybe I should stop abandoning things so easily?
Cally, I think we all have this feelings, that everything is already done.But we all have our own way and reasons to do the things, though they are sometimes similar. First, when I started visiting blogs I felt like lost and small among so many creativ and clever people.
cally - these are stunning....
i think you do need to not let what other people are doing influence you. i always point to how many artists have done "zen" circles. agnes martin, richard serra, andy goldsworthy - they all have a different take. each artist brings their own vision to the same materials, shapes, etc.
you are so talented. i wish you could just trust that and make what you feel needs to get made....
hugs.
Cally, what exquisite cutting! I'm rather awestruck, both at the beauty of the nets, and by your dexterity.
Thanks so much for your recent comments on my blog. It's great to hear from you and to keep in touch with the beautiful work you make. Hope the warm days are coming soon.
Best,
Heather
Cally your work is just so BEAUTIFUL. I don't know how you manage to always create such beauty. It is like sunshine. Uplifting!
i could stare at these all day long!
I just went to a lecture on Leonardo di Vinci's knot engravings, so your post is such a coincidence (and lovely as always!). I laughed out loud about your comment the other day ~ I hope the trellis issue has resolved itself. Cheers.
sometimes we do knots to unknot ourselves.....we paint white because we need it................
i really like your pages.
many greetings.
carolina
www.joyasdelaodisea.blogspot.com
Cally, the photos you post are always beautiful, but I think this series is my favorite. Do your work. It will always be yours completely.
i think nets are highly symbolic structures--close to mandalas. i also think that artists in general find (have)a soul thing, or a pattern, or a desire and repeat it in many 'subltly different" forms of expression. Multiples for instance, are often always the same but unique, and also, in literature--the story may change but the underlying themes play out like light trickling on water--the same "heart" issues or soul issues get worked on till "mastered or understood" or loved or looked at and at that point, nothing. that issue is done. melted. or not.
?? maybe. i think. in part. :)
Oh Cally, really interesting reading about how you got into macrame and net-making. "I got really hooked" (no pun intended?) Every time I see your work, I think it's a shame you don't craft much any more, they are breathtaking - and yes, don't give up (we are all inspired by our surroundings).
white and shadows...beautiful!I want to speak more, but my English...?
Cally- I agree with Lisa, make what you want to make and feel compelled to create. Your work will always have your own voice, your own experiences poured into it, and there by will be unlike anything else.
You are you and we love that. :)
The nets are gorgeous, I can imagine them cascading across a room.
so beautiful cally. my sentiments echo lisa and heather. you are a unique artist who need not worry about anyone elses work. move forward as your heart takes you.
these pieces are utterly beautiful.
xo
susan
ohhhhh....aaaahhhhh. so so lovely. i mean so so so lovely! i can't stop looking.
have a good trip.
Gosh Cally, the diversity of your work is wonderful - all of it being mediums and subjects that I love.
Wishing you a lovely trip. xxx
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