Talk to You Later

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on December 5, 2012 at 1:07pm

Curator’s Comment:  

 

I like these works (‘like’ as in that tiny little thumbs up icon.)  They’re smart and funny, and astutely deconstruct social media and craft.  The full color pieces are jewel-like precious commodities, presenting brocade constructs and trappings of a formal portrait around cavalier expressive gestures.  In this grouping Talk to You Later seems the most effective, as the subject’s narcissistic and self-conscious pout is ubiquitous on Facebook and other sites.  The other images depicting people engrossed in their emotional outbursts may be equally representative of social culture, but for me they don’t engage the viewer in quite the same way. Technically these color works appear superior to the simpler black and white pieces.  The density and alternating directions of thread creating elaborately detailed chiaroscuro is highly pleasing. But the achromatic earlier works also lent themselves to other layered associations of craft; the unsophisticated homemade versus polished commerce, the consciousness of the time consumed in the actual making of the piece, etc. In the simpler designs the viewer may be more aware of each stitch, slowing down our viewing of a transitory moment.  But I more than 'like' both approaches.  They're incredibly strong, and move me towards 'love'.