Saturday, January 3, 2009

CYBER FYBER UPDATE


(Click on image to enlarge. This is the opening from the central hallway/entrance into the large gallery. There are additional "before lighting" photos of the exhibition at the end of this rather long post!)

There's lot to report! First and foremost, CYBER FYBER, the physical exhibition is a REALITY! All the artwork is here and hung! Every fiber ATC, all 225+ fiber postcards, and a beautiful gallery full of art by the stellar, international group of invited artists is in place. I'm still working on the signage for the main gallery....but the hundreds of labels for the postcards and ATCs are done...just waiting to be stuck in place!

Thus, I'm ahead of schedule! Why? Well, Jeffrey Day, the arts reporter for The State Newspaper, has written a major article for Thursday's edition. He sent the nicest, young photographer Brent Flashnick, to take photos....including a "portrait" of me in front of the ATCs. (I'm praying I looked acceptable...especially since I stopped wearing any make-up over a year ago!) The photo shoot was scheduled for Friday....so I went into "high gear" and hung the show early!

(Click on image to enlarge. Central hallway/entrance to Gallery 80808/Vista Studios!)

Voting for PEOPLE'S CHOICE postcard is coming along very, very well....please also remember to vote for PEOPLE'S CHOICE ATC!


(One of two small hallways at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios.)

This evening my mentor Stephen Chesley spent an hour or two helping me set the lights. This was a task I dreaded.....having never lit a show before. Stephen, however, is an expert at analyzing light, painting light, enjoying sunsets and breaking dawns, and also how to find the dim areas in a room. He positioned all the spots and floods. It all looks much, much better than most of these photos....so, I'll be taking more shots soon....and videos! Just compare the

"before lighting" photo

to the "after lighting" photo!


Here's another shot of the rest of the postcards....they occupy five sections of wall in three rows each! That's a lot of postcards!



The ATCs occupy one of the longest walls in the atrium. They are below (after Stephen set the lights!)

I've also updated the blog post for FIBER DAY. Click here to see more photos from the amazing Creative Sewing Center of West Columbia, the partner for Fiber Day. There are also images and information on some of the discussion/demonstration leaders.

Above is just one of the photos from Creative Sewing Center.

Now....I have an important announcement! There are going to be two more awards! In addition to the two PEOPLE'S CHOICE awards, there will be "BEST of SHOW" postcard and "BEST of SHOW" ATC. Ellen Kochansky, an incredible fiber artist from Pickens, South Carolina who is currently in the midst of a textile installation residency at 701 Columbia Center for the Arts, has graciously agreed to jury the award selection. Poor Ellen! She really doesn't know yet how difficult this is going to be....especially since I'm planning on creating a video of the award selection....featuring her, of course! I've written an email suggesting next Monday evening as a time for her to view the walls of work. If all goes well, the official announcement will be made during Fiber Day, Saturday, Jan. 10.

The prizes will include all sorts of "goodies". Lori Brown, owner of House of Fabrics, collected up a bag full of things to be divided for the four awards. I've been adding to the stash. Below is a photo of Lori in her downtown Columbia shop....now in its 52nd or 53rd year of business! It was started by Lori's grandfather who still lives about the shop! Scroll down to see some additional shot of House of Fabric....lucky me....I live about one mile away from all these exotic fabrics, buttons, and trim! Lori is also very special to me....she, her son, and her partner posed for my Decision Portrait Series piece called Happy Family.

Mentioning the Decision Portrait Series.....there are all now part of CYBER FYBER too!













Here are the rest of the "before lighting" photos of CYBER FYBER!




24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Susan! The gallery looks great! And all the activities sound awesome! Outstanding!

Wanda said...

It just keeps getting better and better. I can't believe it! It's amazing. I'm so glad that Decisions is a part of the show. You know how I feel about that series. It is going to touch so many people. Everything looks great. I can't imagine the work. I wish I had been there to help you with it! The pictures of the store are amazing. I almost cried...to be able to be there for a few hours. Ah..the dreams.

Pat said...

Susan it looks wonderful, I hope it is a huge success. At one time I had a vague hope that I would get there but it was not to be, so I will just enjoy every bit of your huge achievement here.

Unknown said...

Words fail me, This is all so amazing! And watching it unfold via the blog has been wonderful. It is so good that your work is included, I think the Decisions series is an important work, as Wands put it, it does touch so many people. Wonderful Susan, it is all so wonderful!

Annica said...

It looks great, Susan! The Decisions series is wonderful! I just wish I could sit in your studio and listen to all visitors commenting in the Gallery.:-)

Corryna said...

Susan I think you are the best! What a lot of work. It looks great!

Tricks said...

Susan, It's really wonderful to see it all come together after all your hard work, I feel so proud and priviledged to be playing a part in it. Thank you so much for making it possible. Good Luck, hope it all goes really well for you. Tricia (from Kent UK)

Downunderdale said...

Susan - it looks absolutely stunning. Congratulations - only wish we could be there in person - I am sureit will be a great success

lindacreates said...

Susan, it is absolutely amazing, just phenomenal. I wish I were there in person. The next best thing I can do is tell my dear friend in North Carolina about it. I hope she goes to see it.

Purple Missus said...

It looks absolutely amazing Susan. You have worked really hard and deserve to have every success with this exhibition.
I feel very honoured that you have included some of my work in the exhibition. Thank you so much.
My only regret is that I am unable to be with you for the opening on Thursday. I shall be thinking of you.

Val Foster said...

Congratulations Susan, it won't be long now. You've worked hard and deserve every success on the massive project. Thank you so much for doing it, for your hard work and generosity. It's totally awesome. Just wish I could be there to see it in person.

Doreen G said...

Congratulations Susan --what an awesome achievement.
You have worked so hard and deserve all the accolades that you are receiving now and will receive in the future.
I am so proud to be part of this marvellous exhibition and like everyone else I wish that i could be there in person to share the moment.

Julie said...

Wow, Susan! What a triumph! I am so excited for you, and to see my own postcard up there on the wall ;o). I am in tears and speechless to think of the fantastic amount of work you have put into this exhibition to bring it to fruition. What an amazing vision you had and how awesome that your determination is being rewarded. I wish I could teleport to be there! As the kids say, Respect!

bookwraps by suz.com said...

Oh how I wish I could be there !!!!! Susan, you did a wonderful job with this exhibition~~~and I'm so honored to be part of it~~~and I'm really looking forward to receiving my ATC trades from the international random trade....thank you for all your hard work on this amazing project!!!

Corinne said...

Susan - this whole exhibition is a wonder! You are to be congratulated on such an amazing feat - kudos to you!!! and many thanks! It's so fun to see 'Flower Girl'on her pedestal!

sharon young said...

What a fantastic achievement, Susan, it all looks wonderful, thank you so much for putting all this effort into staging the exhibition, I just wish I could have been there.

Jackie said...

I've only come in on the end of this but there has obvioulsy been much hard work and preparation. It all looks wonderful..I wish I'd sent a postcard. Congratulations.

SONYASPHERE said...

3 more days!! I can't wait to see You and the show...and Steve and Columbia..and your house (haven't been there since pre-fire!!) and.. and..and!! It's going to be soooo wonderful!!! Take a deep breath!!! See you soon!

Penny said...

It all looks fabulous, I couldnt even remember what my post card looked like until I scrolled through, so many wonderful things, I do wish I was there to see it in person but all the best to you and all those helping to make it what I am sure will be a huge success

Unknown said...

Congratulations Susan. You've done a great job. You're name is all over the internet. I feel proud to be a part of it.
big hug
Jacqueline

Yvonne Moxon said...

Fantastic!!! I wish I could see this in person, be there to take it all in ........ What a huge achievement Susan its wonderful!!!

Di said...

Susan you have done a magnificent job. What an exhibition it is going to be. I do wish I could be there. Thank you for allowing me to be just a tiny part of this.
Di (UK)

Nikki said...

It all looks so wonderful. I wish I could be there tonight. Thank you for making it all possible!

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,
Miss workaholic in action! Everything looks great and what a tremendous success! I am watching from bitter cold Chicago with the twins running around like wild indians...
Love,
Britta