I've been to Nunavik again. Back to Kangirsuk for 2 weeks. This was my first arctic visit in winter and I was worried that I wouldn't connect to the landscape as strongly now that the rich tundra that I love so much was covered in snow. I was wrong. It's just as spectacular in the winter. The ever-present wind really packs down the snow so it's very hard and then sculpts it into beautiful abstract forms and textures which is enhanced by the amazing light. Here are some images I took while on a very cold walk (with wind chill factor it felt like -40C...that's the same in Farenheit!) on a beautiful sunny day.
These are exquisite. Wasps nests are a form of paper made from wood pulp mixed with wasp saliva and layered into a nest. Why do I love them so much? All my favourite materials and forms...paper, wood, pulp, bodily fluids :), layers, nests. And in such a fragile form. How can you not be moved by them!
And the textures and layers and composition in these larger ones are truly abstract works of art.
As the new year approaches and I reflect on the past year there is so much to be grateful for. Including the generosity and thoughtfulness of blog friends. Before this year ends I want to thank lynne hoppefor another nature package she sent me back in the fall. We share a love of dead and decaying things! Time to unveil these delicate treasures!
unmistakably lynne!
owl pellet 1...bones, fur, evidence
owl pellet 2...tufted testament
outside part of a fawn's hoof...I'll take your word for it lynne!
bird skull...be still my beating heart
miniature wasp nests (more views in a future post)
portion of a larger wasp nest...with pine needles as extra support!
unidentified seed pods...ideas anyone? (more views in a future post)
Last night I was watching PBS and came across an incredible documentary on Independent Lens called Between the Folds. It was all about the process of origami and highlighted many aspects of paper-folding. From paper-making paper folders, to theoretical scientists using origami to solve physics and engineering problems, to educators using origami to teach geometry, to fine artists who fold their way to unique creations. I can't say enough about it...fascinating, inspirational, beautiful, elegant, delightful! Here is the trailer.
Although most of the origami world focuses on model-making and the technical aspects, there are some who elevate paper folding to a fine art form. One of my favourite segments was an interview with origami artist Paul Jackson, where he describes how just one fold can lead to many creative options.
He goes on to show his work with organic abstract forms. Although the more representative origami forms done by many of the artists are very impressive, these are closest to my heart! I have included some below. Go to his website to see more.
And here are some wonderful pieces from the artists of Crimp, a group of French paper crumpling artists.
vincent floderer
alexis merat
romain chevrier
Keep your eyes open for this film on PBS (or buy the DVD). It's wonderful! I am still tingling...
A rare chance to meet bloggers Jeane and Jo (pictured above at MOMA) perpetuated a quick trip to New York City accompanied by my friend Carole. We drove down...about 7 hours from Montreal. It was a busy 4 days with a simple itinerary: meet Jo and Jeane (how fortunate I was to meet them in person), visit a lot of art museums (Dia Beacon on the way, MOMA, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim), soak up the city (sore feet but happy heart), and eat well but economically (is eating a street knish considered eating well?). Mission accomplished on all fronts!
Views from inside the Museum of Modern Art. It felt like a place of worship to me.
The Guggenheim (of course!). The architecture was as impressive as the art.
Looking across the reservoir to the Upper West Side on a rainy Saturday. I'm so glad my first glimpse of Central Park was on a moody, foggy, atmospheric day.
But I also appreciated that same view on a sunny Tuesday!
In an attempt to neutralize urban overload, I thoroughly enjoyed a long solitary walk in Central Park where I nicely regained my bearings.
Our lovely well-located brownstone B & B on the Upper East Side. Central Park was at the end of our street and the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art were just a few blocks away.
View from our B & B window. The perfect place for someone like me, who can literally spend hours enjoying the small details of an urban courtyard. More detail views below.
One of my passions is literacy. I ran a not-for-profit adult literacy organization from 1997 to 2006. I left that position, choosing to follow a different path, but am still involved doing training and consultation. My literacy colleagues have embraced the "artist" me and often call upon me to bring some art influence to the literacy world. So when the Provincial literacy organization decided to honour the memory of Freda Hudson, an individual who made a significant contribution to literacy, by awarding a pin each year to a remarkable volunteer, they asked me to design a pin. So far 2 pins have been awarded and this year the recipient is more of a "pendant person" than a "pin person" so I made a pendant instead. I do not know the identity of the recipient yet. I will know tomorrow at the presentation ceremony.
Below is my concept for the design:
The design itself is a plant: roots firmly in the ground, and sprouting a "flower". This motif represents growth and implies something organic which continues to evolve. Freda's initials are worked into the roots to honour the foundation that she laid in our literacy community and to emphasize that many of the developments we have gained are "rooted" in her literacy work. The "flower" suggests an open book: a symbol of knowledge, learning, and literacy. The "leaves" are designed to suggest wings, a symbol of the freedom that we gain from having knowledge and skills.
As Freda was indeed a precious individual who shone brightly and reflected her brightness, silver was chosen as the material for her commemorative pin. The piercing technique used (cutting the design into the metal) honours the wearer of the pin as it allows the colour and texture of their own clothing to show through and interact with the pin, thus highlighting their own individuality and connecting them to Freda at the same time.
And this is where it all makes sense to me. Laying on my belly observing things up close. Moulding to the rocks and the moss, flat against the tundra, one with the earth, the beauty so intense that I fill with gratitude.
My first morining in Kangirsuk, I awoke to a white world. Above is a shot from my hotel room window. Apparently I was privileged to witness the first snowfall of the season. Beautiful, but melted by the end of the day and no more snow for the rest of my visit.
I'm back from Kangirsuk. Above is a photograph of the town (pop. 463) seen from my plane as I approached. Had a very nice time there, although was fogged in for three days which delayed my return home. No roads, so planes are the only way in and out. Got lots of work done, met some lovely people and fed my soul walking on the tundra. It looks so barren from a distance but once you set foot on the tundra, you are transported to a rich, colourful world of rocks, lichens, mosses, and plants. Below are some photos of the town and the landscape (often in the fog). More to come...
As you are reading this I am in Nunavik. I'm here for 6 days doing some consulting work in Kangirsuk. I had the privilege of visiting Nunavik for 6 weeks in 2007 and thought I'd share some of my favourite images from that time until I'm back to share some new ones. The ruggedness of the rocks and the plants really reached into my soul and I've been yearning for them ever since. I'm doing this via the magic of a scheduled post because I doubt that I will have internet access here! By the time you see this post I will be winding up my trip here and gearing up to post my new photos. Stay tuned for next week...
I am an artist who creates sculptural objects, combining materials such as paper, thread, beeswax, metal, and natural objects. I also give creativity workshops in Hudson, Quebec. Art vein vessel is a place where I share my work, my creative activities, and the little things that inspire me.
Artists...celebrate your tools! Submit your favourite tool for posting on "tool tuesday." Tell about its history, why you love it, how you use it, what you make with it, and anything else you'd like to share. Click on photo for original post.
I've been to Nunavik again. Back to Kangirsuk for 2 weeks. This was my first arctic visit in winter and I was worried that I wouldn't connect to the landscape as strongly now that the rich tundra that I love so much was covered in snow. I was wrong. It's just as spectacular in the winter. The ever-present wind really packs down the snow so it's very hard and then sculpts it into beautiful abstract forms and textures which is enhanced by the amazing light. Here are some images I took while on a very cold walk (with wind chill factor it felt like -40C...that's the same in Farenheit!) on a beautiful sunny day.
