FIBRE419--Project 2

My second project for Tuesday’s class, ST-J3R0M, took up too much of my time and mental energy. I was beset by technical problems which had many learning outcomes. My skill with sculpting and papermaking couldn’t match my imagination on this one. And that’s all right—every semester is going to have one of these challenging projects that’s hard to love!

My concept for this project was to abstract Biblical scholar St. Jerome is the patron saint of archaeologists, archivists, librarians, and other studious pursuits since I'm a library technician. I surveyed Artstor for Renaissance portrayals of St. Jerome. Two popular depictions (besides portraits) emerged—St. Jerome situated in his library surrounded by books or writing in the wilderness and leading a hermetic lifestyle. Afterward, I conceptualized an updated, high-tech rendition of St. Jerome. The figure is abstracted into a satellite dish resting on a broken, floating rock formation.

I brought it to critique unfinished and it was pretty embarrassing for me. I pride myself on getting things done on time and done well. However, my classmates had a lot of good feedback and like the natural textures of the paper as well. But, I spent a ton of time patching bare areas and finished the satellite so I could get some pictures.

FIBRE327--On to Project #3

FIBRE 327–Project 3

Project 3 for Wednesday’s class is again about memory and place and a moment in time. I have a family photo from Mother’s Day 1981 which will be the centre of the picture. It’s a photo I have seen plenty of times, but looking at it up close reveals how much charm it has. Our faces are in the sun. Mom looks mad. My brother is squinting hard and I’m not quite sure what I’m doing—something off to the side caught my attention. Our ages are written on the back and it notes that Grandpa is 55! I always thought of my grandparents as olllllld most of my life and here I am with 50 creeping up on me!

It’s going to be a large book-shaped piece with some gate folds. My original thought was making it vertical, but Mackenzie suggested to keep it horizontal. Huh! It’s amazing how turning something around makes all the difference :D

I may incorporate maps into the project as well, as the neighbourhood has changed a little.