Beyond the Fringe
April 13, 2005 - May 15, 2005
Fringes are most often considered purely decorative embellishments relegated to the edges of objects. However, artists working in fiber have recognized the extraordinary potential of fringe as a sculptural element that defines space and form. Working ‘on the fringe,' these artists have transformed a simple marginal decoration into visually arresting compositions. The works on view, selected from the permanent collection, reflect the Museum's focus on the creative engagement with materials and process that informs art, craft, and design. In these explorations of threads, the endless possibilities residing in these raw materials are eloquently revealed.
Shihoko Fukumoto's
Indigo Cube – Mist is a six-foot-square teahouse formed by four panels of indigo-dyed, linen strands. This fringed enclosure is at once solid and permeable.
Co-twisted (The Collective Unconscious) is a work by Tomoko Ishida in which hundreds of paper strips have been twisted on hanging wires to create a floating lacey cloud.