Friday 21 March 2014

Freeism/Freeists

I always find it so hard to define the art that I do. It fits no confines or styles, it is anything and predominately created in a fluxus type process. Automotism perhaps more apt. I am by no means a planner nor organised. I often find it hard to discuss processes or write artists statements and the bane of my life these last few weeks has been just that. Who cares who I am or how I got there, like it or don't like it.
So today I settled on an idea to save the fuss. I am going to use an already coined term, it is for an intellectual religion based thing, which is fine.
So this new term is freeism,. I am a freeist, considering all the work I am to do in the next 12 months has to be free and repurposed materials, it fits. Coined elsewhere or not.

Saturday 15 March 2014

Now at Wolveschildren

Sputnik & Mayhem have been busily rebranding and making new stuff.
Our Jewellery is now available at Wolveschildren Art Space in Humffray Street North, Ballarat.
A gorgeous little gallery run by the lovely Erin and Luke. They are open from 12 Thursday to Sunday.
We are also preparing for the Dana Street Jumble Sale on March 29th where we start launching some of our new repurposed homewares.
 
 



 New Key Techbits Necklaces






Little Miss Mayhems Organic Bathbomb as per the recipe in an earlier post. She loves making these and today we began putting them into packaging for her to sell at the school jumble sale. She is very proud of herself as any 5 year old Entreprenuer should be.

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Recology @ San Franscisco Airport.

Last Year I was literally running with two kids in tow through San Fransisco Airport rushing to make a connecting flight when I stumbled upon what can only be described as one of the most exciting exhibitions I have seen. The Art of Recology. Suddenly the idea of repurposed art that i had been playing around with in my shed was all around me, in so many various and interesting forms.

I was already exhausted after a two week rushed trip from L.A. to Vancouver to the Canadian Sunshine Coast then Seattle, alone with a 14 year old and a 5 year old. I spent much of that time living and breathing art it all its forms and glory. Being that we were there for my son to recieve and international youth arts award and also sign to a small canadian gallery (yes at 14, so great to be awesome so young whilst some of us, sigh), I felt completely justified in bargaining a trip to disneyland in return for a well behaved trip to art galleries.
So here I was coming to an instant stop in the middle of the airport and feeling like I just wanted to look and touch and stare with no time to spare. I sent the kids running ahead to our gate whilst i rushed and took photos with my phone of everything I could manage loaded with bags and three fingers gripping my phone before having to sprint to avoid missing the flight. So although these are the worst photos this was one of the most life changing art experiences.
If you haven't been there, San Fransisco Airport is massive, it is a seriously long distance between gates. However the art is amazing, as i ran I ran past a couple of other really worthy exhibitions. I cursed our airline and their late depature that left us having to run between flights for weeks, I think I still do. I feel really driven to be working more towards getting a great collective like recology happening in Victoria, I would love it to be in Ballarat but it will be a long time before the uni steps out of the 50's to allow programs like this or Project vortex (next blog no doubt, my love affair with Aurora Robson and Project vortex).
Below is further information about the amazing work of Recology.













 opened March 16 in the United Terminal at the San Francisco International Airport. This exhibition celebrates the Recology San Francisco Artist in Residence Program and presents over one-hundred pieces made by forty-five artists. All of the works on display were made in the art studio at the San Francisco Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility and constructed from materials the artists scavenged from the Public Disposal and Recycling Area (or what we affectionately refer to as "the dump").

Founded in 1990, the Recology San Francisco Artist in Residence Program promotes recycling and reuse, and encourages people to reflect on how their consumption practices affect the environment. Artworks in the exhibition were selected by airport curators and will be on display through October 27, 2013. The Art of Recology is located past security so can only be viewed by those traveling, but if you find yourself flying United soon, allow some extra time to view this very special exhibition.
Some of my favourite paper dresses.



Tuesday 4 March 2014

New Jewellery

New Products from Sputnik and Mayhem.
Finding new uses for computer waste has lead to a new range of jewellery.
The Jewellery is made from repurposed copper.


 
 Repurposed copper pendant worn by Hannah Connel.










Refashion @ Backyard Tasters

On February 21st The Refashion Show came to life with thanks to a group of very gorgeous models. Hannah Connel, Kate Souter, Amie Sexton, Aldona Kmiec, Colleen Filippa and Izzy and Menna, with a special thanks to Saskia Gallash who assisted the rolling of the unwearable.
The Backyard Tasters audience was treated to the charisma and flair of these amazing women as they paraded in the repurposed garments. A fabulous time was had by all. A big Thank you to Backyard Tasters and Deborah Klein.

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Menna, Hannah, Kate and Aldona.

Kate Souter in the inflatable pool and air mattress dress by Niki Lakerink

Menna and Margie Balazic, Model and Maker

Antoinette Stokell and Izzy, Maker and Model.

Amie Sexton bring sexy back in starbursts.

Menna in Modernusa, aptly renamed (Thanks Miss Erin), Dress by Niki Lakerink


Handmade paper dress modelled by the very gorgeous Hannah.

Colleen Filippa, dress by Niki Lakerink

Hannah wearing Demeter handmade paper from garden refuse by Niki Lakerink

Menna in Margie Balazic's gorgeous Alice dress.

Hannah in Denise Nichols Revamp.

Other blogs and photo's