About this project
The IBP gathers letters from women all over the world (the farthest to date has been a New Zeelander who was living in Taiwan!) and any age (the youngest was in her early 20's and the oldest, so far, was 84). We provide the opportunity for ordinary women to share just how extraordinary they are! Letters have ranged from simple thank you letters for a kindness someone performed to heart wrenching letters of childhood sexual abuse, rape and AIDS. They tell of survival, indomitable strength and the beauty of each individual.
The IBP combines art, performance and personal story together to create a project that has touched many people. Vintage linens, antique clothing, all manner of vintage/retro/antique irons and ironing boards (as well as pegs!) are used to symbolize the feminine tradition-not to minimize it but to celebrate it. Generations of women have used these items and their use serves to honor them. Letters that have been contributed are transfered to a vintage linen or an item of clothing Through a printmaking process called Xerography. These are then used in the performance and exhibited. The performance itself is a metaphor for the transmission of stories from one generation to another. Using two performers per 20 letters, the linens are passed back and forth, ironed and suspended. For a more detailed description visit www.theibp.wordpress.com. You can also follow the progress of the IBP on Twitter! ( @theIBP)
Over the last year the Ironing Board Project has traveled, self published a book and provided an outlet for women to tell their stories. This September (the 22nd to be exact!) the IBP will be travelling to Grand Rapids, Michigan to participate in a large scale art competition called ArtPrize (www.artprize.org). This will be a two week long competition and the IBP will be doing multiple performances with the additional goal of having an on site submission event.
Your support ensures that the IBP will be able to get to Grand Rapids (repeatedly), be able to print the letters and have the materials necessary to support the IBP for the duration of the event (last year the event drew upwards of 75,000 visitors, with some venues posting numbers over 100,000) My goal is to have a minimum of 200 copies of the IBP book available(they run @ $18 a copy-my cost) as well as tote bags, printed brochures, printed post cards, business cards and rack cards. I plan on having hand made cards and postcards available as well. If the Kickstarter goal is surpassed, the IBP would like to purchase a small printing press (@ $1000) to do onsite printing during the event. The purchase of a press would help the IBP become more self sufficient and able to offer more opportunities at future performances and events.
This is about to get so exciting for the IBP! Thank you for supporting us on our journey-maybe we'll even see you there!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
4
Backers
$161
pledged of $2,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on September 13, 2010.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
For your donation of $5-$10 I will create a one of a kind, hand made (sewn, painted, drawn or collaged), suitable for framing post card and send it to you post haste!
Pledge $11 or more Pledge $11 or more
For your donation of $11-$20 I will send you four hand made cards, with envelopes, featuring images from the Ironing Board Project and a hand made, one of a kind post card-post haste, of course!
Pledge $21 or more Pledge $21 or more
At this level, I will send you a set of 8 hand made cards, with envelopes, featuring images from the Ironing Board Project and a hand made, one of a kind post card.
Pledge $31 or more Pledge $31 or more
Here you will find in your mail box 8 hand made cards, with envelopes, featuring images from the Ironing Board Project and a hand made post card-all wrapped in a lovely vintage linen.
Pledge $41 or more Pledge $41 or more
At this level-you will be receiving a copy of the Ironing Board Project book and a lovely hand made, one of a kind post card all wrapped up and a lovely vintage linen.
Pledge $51 or more Pledge $51 or more
You will have a huge amount of my gratitude-a copy of the Ironing Board Project book, a set of 4 handmade cards, with envelopes, featuring images from the Ironing Board Project and (you probably guess this one) a lovely hand made, one of a kind post card all nestled in a lovely vintage linen
Pledge $101 or more Pledge $101 or more
You will find in your mail box a copy of the Ironing Board Project book, a set of 8 handmade cards, with envelopes, featuring images from the Ironing Board Project, a hand made, one of a kind, suitable for framing post card carefully wrapped in a lovely vintage linen and sealed with a hug!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Wow! once I pick myself off the floor, I will display your name prominently(along with my thanks) during the performance series in September and October, your name listed in the next edition of the IBP book and THEN you will find in your mail box a copy of the Ironing Board Project book, a set of 8 handmade cards, with envelopes, featuring images from the Ironing Board Project, a hand made, one of a kind, suitable for framing post card carefully wrapped in a lovely vintage linen and sealed with a hug!
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
I am a mixed media artist exploring perceptions in society as they relate to identity. When I get an idea I like to use a medium that will express it the most effectively. That might mean photography, sculpture, paint or even performance. Some ideas don’t translate well into a single medium and I would rather be challenged to give life to a good idea in the best way possible rather than let it pass. I live in MI with my family and a white cat named Bo.
