Saturday, August 1, 2009

Disintegration Finale, Part One


Seth started it with his Disintegration Collaboration and we all put our bundles and whatever out into the environment. My diploma, which gave me the right to add a 4th set of initials after my name (don't get excited, they don't include PhD), remained pretty resistant to the elements which included only about 3 days of rain over 6 months. I had actually hoped it would burst into flames in our summer heat.


Once Susan took it out of the sculpture (bottom photo) it had been sitting in for 6 months and started picking at it, we discovered why it wouldn't disintegrate. The diploma was printed on a heavy paper which was fused to a plastic film and then fused onto a backing sheet. It seemed like just one thick piece of paper but the plastic film in the middle kept it from any serious damage. She ripped and peeled and got it all apart and the backing sheet is being cut into strips to make "hair" for one of my outdoor ShovelHead people (will be shown in Part Two).


The front was transformed into the piece you see, with detail photos. I had nothing to do with it other than to say "Needs more... something" as she worked on it. The miscellaneous painted pieces collaged on are papers we worked on together in the past. The whole piece is stitched, wired, and glued onto black canvas. I like it. (As opposed to hating the job that required the damned thing.)


Grateful thanks to Seth from The Altered Page for an interesting Collaboration.


Original attempt at disintegration, Feb 12 - July 26, 2009.

21 comments:

ArtPropelled said...

I like it too. The black and white is very dramatic. Well done to the two of you!

Pat said...

This is amazing. I love it!

theresa martin said...

Your final piece is striking and beautiful. I enjoyed reading about your process too.

Nikki Lee Anne Ghilain said...

Love the piece! If it would ever rain in Texas.......just think of the possibilities

Dymphie said...

love how all the little pieces work together. Great job.

Caterina Giglio said...

Striking black and white, great piece!

Caroline Gill said...

Stylish! What fun it has all been. Greetings from Wales.

Zoe, ontheroad said...

Terrific work.

femminismo said...

The figure, the criss-crossed cords, the bits of the diploma/certificate - they all add up to an extraordinary piece. Good work - Jeanne in Oregon

nancy neva gagliano said...

love this attitude!! re: diploma and our need for them for jobs that take us away from life, and then the darn thing won't even disintegrate, all plastisized!! going up in smoke would have been perfect!!...looks great in pieces, sharp and clear presentation...

Wayne Pitchko said...

Wow....nicely done

Maj said...

So, your diploma got a new life. A beautiful one!

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Wow, you didn't hold back did you! This a great peace and I love the 'man' figure placed over everything, but under the binding. Lovely piece and very precious I am sure!

Thanks for visiting my blog and for playing lucky dip!

Anonymous said...

terrific.
j

Patti Sandham said...

I laughed about your diploma and love how you chopped it up for arts sake. Great stuff and what an unexpected result.

Great collaboration.

Cheers Patti

Anonymous said...

this is so great! i adore the black and white!

deb said...

I love the idea of disintegrating a diploma!!

Kim Palmer said...

Love the drama of the black and white but also how you have used the diploma, especially for what it represents for you. At least now it's using it's powers for good instead of evil, LOL! Great piece!

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

Interesting to read all about your bundle and your creative process....great final DisCo creation!!!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic

trudi said...

Extraordinarily original, gutsy and how you get to the heart of the matter. So much to see and I love your style.