Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Contained & Unrestrained

Among the many collaborations I am involved with right now includes my project with Vivian Bonder and Stephanie McAtee. It is called Self Contained and we have just completed one round out of three. The brief: raw, grungy, rough, deep, messy, personal. We have each interpreted this theme quite differently and have created three very distinct structures to work in.

Here are some glimpses of my work so far that I just completed for Viv:






Steph and Viv have each worked in my project once so far and will add more artwork in two additional rounds. I just received my own project back and am over the top happy with what they have created so far. Their work keeps drawing me back in.

Some details of Steph's artwork in my project:





And here are some closeups of what Viv has added:




32 comments:

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Very yummy stuff - the makings of an exhibition.

Lynn Cohen said...

I am uncertain about this process. Are they adding to pieces you began or just adding their own pieces to a series in which you are also contributing separately?

These are all exciting each in their own way. The long rows of numbers bother me (they remind me of concentration camp numbers on peoples arms. (my problem not yours/or theirs)...I saw a woman recently in public who had a row of numbers tattooed on the under side of her arm and they were large (not like they were in the concentration camp, but big like in these art pieces. disturbing. Sorry if this sounds nutty to you. Just reacting outloud.)

Hey, thanks so much for coming by my textile art blog today and leaving your lovely comment. Much appreciated.

ArtPropelled said...

This is such an interesting process ... adding to other people's art .... seeing it change and perhaps take off in a direction you might not have thought of. Lovely images here.

binelectric said...

hm....thought I posted a comment but can't find it....so once again: I'm so proud you wrote a comment on my blog, thank you!

Nettie Edwards said...

Seth, this is beautiful work. I too am fascinated by the process as I would like to participate/initiate such a project but don't understand its "mechanics". What kind of mindset do you have to adapt to work on top of another's work? I think I'd feel very inhibited and afraid of "spoiling" what was already there.

MrCachet said...

I too am interested in the 'mechanics' - No. 4 from the top : The character 'T' appears to be incised or stamped or perhaps just appears that way because it looks dimensional. How was that done? I like the use of different characters and numbers - the words although they may be critical are not as appealing - to me - as individual characters.

Gillian McMurray said...

I always love when you use the turquoise blue and golden yellow together. It's very striking. The piece with the red and black is grand too.

Kim Palmer said...

I peeked over at Viv's blog a while ago and thought this would be a fab collaboration. You all seem to blend so well in style and interpretation. I think the brief has been well and truly met!

Lost Aussie said...

Great colour palattes and wonderful complexity in the work.

Bea said...

LOVE, LOVE that kind of artwork. What fun you guys are having. :)Bea

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

Talk about eye candy! Love it all Seth!

BLACK AND WHITE said...

Wow! Interesting work!
Award for you on my blog:)

Brian K said...

It seems everyone has the same questions? Are the other participants adding pages or adding to your existing work in the project! It is coming out beautifully! So much texture and depth!

Judy Wise said...

Verrrrry nice!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

having just returned from NY, your images have the depth of the layers of graffiti and exposed layers of walls..the stuff of the city!

layers said...

Its amazing how in tune one can be with other artists and yet each bring their differences together as well--- which can end up to make very good work indeed.

Julie Prichard said...

Seth-a-fied for sure. =)

BT said...

I am just amazed at this artwork, but like the others, would like to understand more about the process, who is doing what to whose? All the pieces look stunning though.

Sharmon Davidson said...

So, are there 3 separate books and you pass them around? what are the rules? Do you have a certain number of pages to complete?Do you start new pages, or just alter what the other person has done? this looks like so much fun!

viv said...

thank you seth for your amazing work on the tube :)

judipatootie said...

somuch texture, wonderful images.. looks to be a very exciting venture..thanks for sharing

Roberta said...

This is pure eye candy, Seth! I love the grand texture of the pages...oooh, and the colors too! What a wonderful collaboration. Can't wait to see more!

Thanks for sharing the images...love them!

Chris said...

Isn't this FUN?! I love it.

you have my address. yes?

JoAnnA Pierotti said...

would be such a treat Seth to see and touch all of this in person. So much wonderful color and texture.

Anonymous said...

I love the way you use my favorite colors...turquoise and yellow! As always such an inspiration awaits.

Anonymous said...

you three have given us so much to look at. i love all of the colors, textures, words and symbols. i have a "thing" about touching art... running my fingers over it to feel every little bump and ridge and divot. (i got yelled at in a hospital the other day for it, though that is a common thing, isn't it!?) my point is that my fingers soooo want to touch these pieces. what a wonderful collaboration!

Anonymous said...

Great visuals. Thanks for sharing Seth.

steph said...

hey seth!!!
so glad that you love the end result to ROUND1. i 2 was stoked with my cube when it came this week and going to post images to my typepad today (sometime:-)
i'm still looking and touching and seeing something new every time i pick it up.......

so much fun PLAYing with you and viv!!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What an amazing collaboration you three have come up with. Like several others, I too am interested in the mechanics of the process.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Wonderful peeks at what I am sure a fabulous pages! I love all the layers and stitching and mark making...it must be very hard to put it down!

rivergardenstudio said...

This project looks fascinating... deep and gritty... all three of your styles work so well together... I love all the black accents... Roxanne

angryparsnip said...

Super Interesting... Do you set a vague idea then work towards it ? or
is there some beginning idea or word, each make 4 pages then send it on ?
so far all seems well but there comes a time when you should stop...

cheers... parsnip