#miriamschaer

[miriamschaer]

It took-what felt like three years, but was, in reality a solid week to get these prints framed, labelled and packed! But they are now on their way to the Bronx for Persistence of Vision at the Krasdale Galleries from July-September. They will then move to the Krasdale Galleries in Harrison, NY. I’ll post more info-galley hours, specific locations, and receptions, as it becomes available. 

[miriamschaer]

Organizing babies

I spent the day organizing selections from Babies (not) on Board, that will included in the exhibition Hand & I, celebrating a labor of love–embroidery as a narrative medium where images and text are often brought together to communicate a message of empowerment, love and protest. Curated by Yulia Tikhonova at Dorsky Gallery, opening May 5. More info as the time nears!

[miriamschaer]

I’ve been framing prints for Persistence of Vision, organized by Susan Newmark and Susan Hoeltzel, and curated by Sigmund R. Balka. The exhibition will be at the Galleries at Krasdale Foods, in the Hunt’s Point space from July to September, and the space in Harrison, NY from October to December. I have to say, I loathe framing. But the onerous task was made easier by finding IKEA frames available-which are not too bad (!) Some like their Hovsta frame comes in a variety of sizes and had floaters as well (so the work doesn’t touch the glass) I only had to add the floaters myself in one print, for the Ribba frame-which was bad enough ;) I sent the largest print out for professional framing, but things are falling into place after a few mishaps...(sigh) Group pix to follow when they are all done!

[miriamschaer]

Liar’s Couture, Part 2

The next part of Liar’s Couture, was to create a long, dramatic, scroll-like tie (ahem: book reference alert!) I collected all of the DT lies from various sources (NYTimes/Wash Post, etc.) and redesigned the typography. It took several attempts to get the scale of the text to work. I soon realized I needed to set the type up on the horizontal in order to get diagonal stripes on the finished tie. I knew that ties need to be cut on the bias (diagonal) in order to hang correctly. 

I printed the fabric at Spoonflower, and was very pleased with the results. Stan (my husband and editor extraordinaire) was super helpful with sorting out issues regarding fabric and the text. We decided on Organic Cotton Sateen, as the type looked the sharpest when printed on that surface. Just as I was getting ready to print-all the news orgs updated and expanded DT’s lies for their end of the year roundups-so I was able to revise my files before printing. If you do work with Spoonflower, definitely get the samples to determine the best fabric to select for your project.

I had never made a necktie, so I did a bunch of googling. Sweetshop Sewing had hands down the best tutorial, and helped me to understand the process. I also knew I clearly would not find a pattern for what turned out to be 16 ft necktie (9 ft when tied!) I would have to alter the pattern-another new experience. I printed the pattern provided on Sweetshop multiple times, and taped them together until I got the correct length. This also took a several tries to get what that length would be.

I re-drew the tie pattern on tracing paper, smoothing out the jaggy edges. Note the arrows marking the grain showing how the pattern will need to set onto the fabric. I realized I would need to sew the tie in four places, rather than two or sometimes 3 sections you see in commercial ties (I looked at a lot of old ties in our closet) in order to get the length I would need.

Pinned on to the fabric, being mindful of the grain.

I had extra DT face fabric-so used that for the lining. Pin and cut, and sew!

I also altered the original tie pattern at the neck-part (skinny part of the tie) so it would be proportional to the toddler size 4 shirt, and widened the tie as it expanded from the mid-section to the bottom point to get a larger readable area.

Because the narrow end was SO narrow, I couldn’t turn the tie inside out when  sewn as directed, so I ripped out the narrow end, and closed that portion sewing by hand. Below is the tie-tossed over the shirt-before I tied it in place--Stan had to show me how to tie a tie as I had never done that before. I have some installation shots I made in my hallway, but will wait to see if I can get a better overall installation and post tomorrow.

[miriamschaer]

(w)hole: A Life in Parts

After quite a long time, I finally (finally) finished this artist book. (w)hole: A Life in Parts, is a musing on my mother Ida, her passing-as she lived with dementia in her final years,  as well as how we cope with loss and how we care for our aging parents when they are no longer able to care for themselves.  The book is now available here