Kickstarter

Hello everybody! 

I was invited by Fifth Third Bank/Warner, Norcross and Judd in downtown Grand Rapids, MI to install Nebula for ArtPrize 2011

. It's estimated that 500,000 people will be going to ArtPrize this year, whoa!

My Goals:

• To unify the public with my installation to create expansive positive growth.
• To provide a hands-on experience that will establish connections between people and plants. 
• To give viewers the opportunity to witness change and decay as part of the natural growth process. 
• To share and have fun!

Your contribution will help me with: 

• Lumber (for building growing containers)
• Clay, compost, and seeds for approx. 25,000 seed balls (if I happen to raise more than $1185 I will be able to provide materials for even MORE seed balls!)
• Flyers and signs to promote my installation and seed ball making parties
• Transportation of installation materials to and from venue

Don't have dollars to spare? That's ok! If you could help spread the word about Nebula, I would be as happy as a room full of puppies. Even one mention online will be a big help in making Nebula grow. You can also follow me on Twitter (@imaginaryline) or Facebook (facebook.com/JacquelineImaginaryline). 

Seed Ball Making Partiiies!

Opening Night of ArtPrize
Wednesday, September 21 from 6 - 8:30pm

Center City Neighborhood Day
Saturday, September 24 from 2 - 4:30pm

I will be there with all the materials necessary for successful seed ball fun. If you're in the area, come check it out. We'll make goofy animal shapes together. 

Seed ball diagram. Plants mature and scatter seeds, creating an infinite and expanding loop of growth.

Conceptual Ideas and Connections:

The Nebula graffiti installation does not form plants alone, yet in it are the makings for expansive growth. The same is true for our universe’s nebluae, all the ingredients for stellar and planetary creation exist. Sun, water and the growing containers instigate the growth of plants from the clay Nebula, while in space, collision, compression, and gravity create cosmic bodies.

The Big Bang model states that space is continually expanding. The act of planting the containers outdoors after ArtPrize expands the installation from the original exhibition space. The act of viewers planting seed balls also expands Nebula. As long as the plants grow the installation continues to expand. Potentially, the installation will exist for generations.

An outline of a circle comprised of gold leaf dots will be in the center of the installation. The circle is a symbol of unity, infinity, completion and cycle. Earth is a sphere; it is a complete biological system. Our planet is continually orbiting in tandem with a vast universe of spherical, cosmic bodies. All celestial bodies began as nebulous clouds of dust, plasma and gas.

Wordy Logistical Explanation: 

Nebula combines community and installation to create a growing, expanding art piece. There are four parts to the installation: the clay graffiti, the growing containers, the seed balls, and the return to nature.

Clay embedded with seeds will be painted and pressed onto the wall of the exhibition space. The imagery to be created is inspired by nebulas and other galactic forms. Mica and gold leaf will also play a part in the design.

Both clay and clay slip will be adhered to the wall using hands and brushes. Clay pieces will be formed into different shapes and pressed onto the wall in patterns. Painting with clay slip adds another dimension of texture and flow.

As time passes, clay pieces holding seeds will fall from the surface of the wall into growing containers. Viewers may witness the pieces falling and can witness the sprouting of new seeds. They will also see the different clay shapes laying in growing containers among moss and growing plants. The containers both capture and provide fertile ground. The growing medium will be locally sourced compost.

During ArtPrize, seed balls will be available for viewers to take and plant where they choose, further extending the installation into public space. At the end of the exhibition, the containers and clay will be planted outside into landscapes across Michigan.

Here's a picture of the black slate wall where I will be doing the installation: 

It's going to look AMAZING. Plus, it's under an awning, so there is no risk of rain washing it away, whew!

Related Clay Work: 

"Mouth and Clay" 

This installation was created using clay slip and iron oxide. The clay was applied to the wall using the artist’s mouth.

"sleep paralysis: the illusion of reality"

This solo exhibition was created from multiple medias including clay dots, painted clay slip, video, and felt.

Thank you for reading! 

<3 Jacqueline