What is a DIY Art Residency?
For some time now I have been stalking art residencies online, imagining myself in exotic locations with nothing to do but focus on my art. I found myself hampered by two things, first the work I do often involves large equipment, my floor looms are about the size of a piano and not easily transported, not to mention my dye lab. Second was the logistics, having my availability coincide with the timing of the residency and acquiring/shipping the supplies and equipment that would allow me to make what I am interested. I kept thinking to myself that what I wanted was to transport my whole studio to a place where I had time to focus and access to other artist to talk to. Enter the DIY art residency.
Although there are huge advantages to a conventional residency including being pulled from one’s comfort zone, building community, and connecting with others, I realized that I could have most of what I was searching for at home if I could create an atmosphere of focus and collaboration. I cleared my schedule, I said no to all work that coincided with this month. I talked to my friends to see if anyone wanted to do little mini art intensives in parallel so we could chat. I picked a topic (tassels, for those of you following along at home), wrote goals, created opportunities to try new mediums (gouache and lathe turning, so far), and wrote rules for myself.
Although I’m less than a week into it I can say that I feel extremely creative, curious, and oddly like a thirsty person gulping directly from the hose. I do wish I had more outside perspective. My brain seems to work best with collaboration, debate, and inspiration involving other people, so if you’re reading this and want to chat about what you’re working on and how you think about it, please stop by.
And if you want to try your own DIY art residency here is the list of assets that I made myself before starting, which I found very helpful:
A list of goals for the residency which could be as simple as ‘follow my whims’ or as complex as you need them to help you stay on track and provide some structure. (Mine included aiming for a gallery show and updating my website.)
Guidelines for how you will spend your time including how many hours a day you want to focus on the project and what those hours could look like. Maybe it’s all in the studio or perhaps inspiration trips also count.
Clarification on the art that will be made. This is a time to explore something exciting that will pull you through any slow spots or existential crisis. This is not the time to work on something that you are doing for someone else or because you think you’re suppose to.
An artist statement. Who are you and why are you exploring this art? Why is it important to you to be doing this residency. (This one has been the hardest for me and I don’t have a good one yet, stay tuned)
Happy art-ing and please let me know if you try a DIY residency of your own.
The Goals of Tassel Month…
The purpose of this project is to explore the joyous and tactile nature of fiber arts in a medium that exists to be moved, shaken, and handled while providing decorative flourish.
Create a taxonomy of shapes, textures, and materials for the purpose of understanding what enhances the joyous and tactile qualities of a tassel.
Create a specific definition of a tassel that will embrace variety and unexpected applications of tassels but still provide a rigorous framework for approving and rejecting objects as ‘tassels’.
Create a body of work that can form the basis of a future gallery show or pitch for a gallery show.
Why Tassels?
When you think about tassels you may be reminded of a fussy, antiquated interior, something beribboned and overwrought, with too many side chairs and dust ruffles. This prim maximalism was epitomized in the Victorian era and then revitalized in the early nineties, where young people encountered candy bowls they weren’t allowed to touch and ruffles so full of dust that play was impossible. These denials of the essential joys of childhood were later weaponized in the character of Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter and summarizes the ‘vibe’ in which many of us have encountered tassels.
Please set your frilly assumptions aside and allow me to reintroduce you. Tassels have been created and enjoyed by virtually every community throughout history. Every culture with a fiber art tradition has discovered the joyous and tactile nature of tassels and despite what you may have been told they are designed to be handled. Their joy comes from their jiggle and swish, begging you to shake them and squeeze them. A high quality tassel should make you want to tickle and fluff it, to shake it at your friends, and decorate your armor with it. It serves no function other than this opportunity for delight.
I have set aside a month to explore this functionless, textile joy. I hope to understand what are the basic elements that make up a tassel, what enhances it and detracts from it, and recontextualize the tassel in a contemporary fiber art tradition. I hope you join me in my design journey.
Carly Debates Chat GBT About Tassels
CM: How would you define a tassel?
ChatGPT: A tassel is a decorative ornament typically made of threads, cords, or fibers that are gathered together at one end and hang freely. It consists of a central core or head, from which several individual strands extend downward, forming a tassel's body. Tassels can be created using a variety of materials, such as silk, wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers. They are often crafted by hand, employing various techniques such as knotting, braiding, or twisting the fibers together.
Tassels have a rich history and can be found in different cultures and contexts worldwide. They have been used for decorative purposes on clothing, accessories, furnishings, and even architectural elements. Tassels can vary in size, shape, color, and intricacy, allowing for a wide range of creative expressions.
In addition to their decorative function, tassels can hold symbolic significance. They have been associated with elegance, status, and cultural traditions. Tassels can convey a sense of luxury, add visual interest, or serve as finishing touches that enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of an item or space.
Overall, tassels are versatile and timeless adornments that add texture, movement, and decorative flair to various objects, serving as captivating focal points or embellishments in artistic and design contexts.
CM: Is a pom pom a tassel?
ChatGPT: While pom poms and tassels share some similarities, they are not the same thing.
A pom pom is a decorative ball or tuft made of fabric, yarn, or other materials. It is typically created by wrapping the material around a core and securing it in place, resulting in a round shape. Pom poms are often fluffy and have a soft, textured appearance. They are commonly used in crafts, accessories, clothing, and home decor to add a playful and whimsical touch.
On the other hand, a tassel, as mentioned earlier, consists of gathered threads or fibers that hang freely from a central core or head. Tassels are elongated and can be more intricate in design compared to pom poms. They are often created by knotting or braiding the threads together and are used as decorative embellishments on items such as curtains, cushions, garments, bookmarks, and keychains.
While both pom poms and tassels can add visual interest and decorative elements to various items, their construction, shape, and appearance differ. Pom poms are typically round and fluffy, while tassels are elongated with hanging strands.
CM: Is a brush a tassel?
ChatGPT: No, a brush is not a tassel.
A brush is a tool with bristles or fibers attached to a handle or base. Brushes are primarily used for various purposes such as painting, cleaning, grooming, or applying substances like makeup. The bristles or fibers of a brush are usually arranged in a specific pattern or shape, depending on the intended function of the brush.
In contrast, a tassel, as discussed earlier, is a decorative ornament made of gathered threads or fibers that hang freely. Tassels are typically used for decorative purposes, adding visual interest, texture, and movement to various items like clothing, accessories, or home decor. Tassels are not typically used for practical or functional tasks like brushes are.
While both brushes and tassels involve fibers or strands, they serve different purposes and have distinct forms and functions.
CM: what if a brush was only used decoratively and not for 'brushing purposes' would it be a tassel then?
ChatGPT: No, even if a brush is used purely for decorative purposes and not for its intended brushing function, it would still not be considered a tassel. The classification of an object is based on its inherent characteristics and purpose, rather than its use in a specific context.
A brush, regardless of its use or function, is defined by its construction as a tool with bristles or fibers attached to a handle or base. Its primary design and purpose are to facilitate brushing, cleaning, grooming, or applying substances. Even if a brush is used decoratively, it would still be classified as a brush due to its inherent design and structure.
On the other hand, a tassel is specifically characterized by its gathering of threads or fibers that hang freely from a central core or head. The defining feature of a tassel is its hanging, free-flowing strands, which are not present in a brush.
While objects can be repurposed or used decoratively in different ways, their fundamental characteristics and design determine their classification. Thus, a brush, even if used solely for decorative purposes, would not be considered a tassel.
CM: what if it was designed to look like a brush but its inherent design was intended to be a tassel?
ChatGPT: If an object is specifically designed to resemble a brush in its appearance but its inherent design and purpose are intended to function as a tassel, then it could be considered a tassel.
In this scenario, the object would need to meet the defining characteristics of a tassel, such as having gathered threads or fibers that hang freely. If it has the appearance of a brush but lacks the functional aspects typically associated with a brush, and instead features the essential elements of a tassel, then it can be regarded as a tassel.
Ultimately, the classification of an object depends on its inherent design, purpose, and characteristics, rather than solely its outward appearance. If the object is intentionally designed to be a tassel, even if it resembles a brush, it can be classified as such.
CM: Booyah
ChatGPT: I'm glad you're enthusiastic! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. I'm here to help!