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Conference
Archives:
2005:
Uncovering The Surface
13th International Surface Design Conference
hosted and sponsored by the Kansas City Art Institute
June 2 - June 5, 2005
Conference
T-Shirts, Aprons and CDs are still available
Click
here to purchase
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You
could feel the excitement in the air, when over 500 textile
artists from more than 15 countries gathered in Kansas City
in June for the 13 th International Surface Design Conference,
“Uncovering the Surface”. There was so much that happened
in those two weeks of workshops and conference that it is
hard to know where to start.
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Certainly
one of the most exciting parts of the conference was the amazing
array of exhibitions. Galleries and art centers in the Kansas City
area hosted over 50 textile related exhibitions with artists from
the US, Canada, Mexico, England, Wales, Egypt, Australia, Japan,
Korea, and Peru.
Wari-Nasca
tunic
Camelid
fiber 600-700 AD
Johnson
County Community College 's beautiful art center presented Through
a Contemporary Eye: Ancient Peruvian Textiles curated by Fifi White.
This extraordinary collection of ancient textiles, dating from 500
B.C. to 700 C.E, filled the gallery with bold geometric designs
in rich colors.. Evident in each piece were the sacredness of cloth
and the exceptional mastery of technique of the ancient Inca. These
woven, painted and embroidered fabrics made of extremely fine camelid
or cotton fibers and delicate feathers spoke of an internal space
of thoughtfulness and quiet. Joh
From
the other side of the world, Australian artist Wendy Lugg's exhibit
“Common Threads” at the Belger Art Center combined the traditional
and the contemporary. Everyday utilitarian Japanese textiles from
the collection of Sue Leighton-White emphasized the ability to create
beauty from the simplest tasks on the most ordinary of objects.
Lugg created her own work as a response to her fascination with
the garments, futon covers and other objects that were part of the
collection. Many of Lugg's sensitively quilted and stitched pieces
utilized discarded fabrics which gave them a sense of time and history.
Lugg's work, along with the original objects that she used for inspiration
filled the gallery with beautiful shades of blue and white.
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Joleen
Goff |
Another
of the exhibition favorites was the Surface Design Association
membership show “Constants and Variables”. Members of SDA
were invited to submit any fiber material or fiber process
that measured 18” x 52”. The range of expression and technique
in the 147 submissions was amazing. SDA Members created pieces
with stitching, shibori, batik, woven structures, stitched
tea bags, rolled paper and little felt balls and other innovative
textile techniques. The subject matter ranged from beautiful
surfaces, to self-portraits, to political/social commentary.
It was a wonderful visual way to see the wide range of personalities
of the individuals who are part of the SDA.
To
purchase an interactive CD of the member's exhibition click
here |
Another
highlight of the conference was the members' fashion show
“Taking Flight” which was artfully produced by Joscelyn
Himes. The evening started out with a breathtaking indoor
kite show by Guildworks. The aerodynamic structures created
from featherweight fabrics and carbon spars would catch
the air and glide out and over the audience. With the hypnotic
rhythm of a live jazz band, the effect was mesmerizing.
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More
than 50 beautifully painted, dyed, stitched, manipulated
and felted garments followed the kite performance. Two silk
“birds” by Candi Edgerly fluttered around a “cage” basketry
dress by Laura Sirkin.
Brenda
Boardman's digitally printed “Dancing Ladies” swayed down
the stage with a large, almost-not-there parasol like a
post-modern Scarlett O'Hara.
Colors
hovered in the air on Carol Waller's painted silk gown that
floated gently through the air echoing every movement of
the model.
One
fabulous piece after another danced down the runway on models
with imaginative hairstyles and creative props. It was truly
a remarkable evening.
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In
addition to exhibitions and special events, the conference presented
four days of stimulating lectures, informative demonstrations and
numerous networking opportunities. In the weeks before and after
the conference, more than 250 people participated in workshops with
leading artists on new materials, discharge, feltmaking, stitching,
weaving and the creative process.
At
the end of the two weeks of conference and workshops, all of us
in Kansas City were left exhausted but inspired. It is hard to believe
but we are already beginning to make plans for the next conference
“Mind and Body” which will be held in Kansas City in early June
2007. We hope to produce an equally smashing 2-week long textile
extravaganza!
Carolyn
Kallenborn
SDA
Conference Coordinator
SDA
Exhibition Awards
Fashion
Show
Jorie
Johnson
Candace
Edgerley
Polly
Kenny
Member's
Show
First
Place Award - Carolyn Prince Batchelor
Jurors'
Choice Awards - Morgan Clifford, Noah Kurth, Rita Trefois, Lisa-Ann
Sugimoto, Joan Schulze
Student
Show
Catherine
Cox
Christine Mockett
Heather Nania
Alison
Green
SDA
membership award: Coleen Ostrander
2005
Conference Archive
"Uncovering the Surface"
June 2- June 5, 2003
Complete conference information
click here
2003
Conference Archive
"Hands On" June 5 - June
8, 2003
Recap of the conference
Original 2003 announcement
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