In addition to making the tarpestries, and hanging them in their eponymous exhibition, I have put together a photo book which tells the story of their evolution.
My friend Peggy Jo, one of my Existential Cheerleaders, got me started doing “documentation” of my process.
As an artist in the middle of creating new work it’s almost impossible to be your own witness. To intellectually understand the “whys” of what you are producing.
So I went back to the beginning — the creation of the Treefort Tarps Picadas.
I wrote about the “hows.” How I answered the question of what to create for the installation, and how I actually got them made.
I wrote about the “wheres” and “how’s” of the installation itself, (which I could never have done without the help of Sue Latta, and Mike).
And then about the crazy windstorm which whipped it all apart.
The evolution of the Tarpestries really began when the Tarps Picadas came down, and with 20/20 hindsight I was able to write about how that unfolded.
I write about what makes something an art form, and touch on the idea that tarpestries are in fact a new art form.
There are lots of photos of the tarpestries in the current exhibition.
And I wind things up with some questions. Things I think about, and things I wonder what other people, like you, think about — all relating to making art, and also specifically to the making of the tarpestries.
I framed screen shots of the book’s pages and have hung them in the current exhibition.
The book itself will also be available for purchase for $25. If you’re interested in buying a copy, just contact me through my website MelissaSasiChambers.com and I’ll hook you up.
Meanwhile, the best way to see the Tarpestries is up close and personal, and so I really hope to see you at the reception tomorrow — 4:30 to 6:30. Y’all come!
