Help me travel to New Orleans so I can capture the essence of the city's culture and 'breathe' it into wire.
THE ART
It is my passion to breathe life into wire, to take strong heavy metal wire and capture the essence of a person -- a living breathing soul through the folds and softness, the wrinkles and movement of a garment created from wire. My hope is to stir you and cause you to reflect on the life lived within that body I have captured. Movement and gesture play a big part in reflecting the essence of a person. I often feel like I have captured a moment, a snap second of time, freezing movement. I have been working with wire for the past 18 years, looking at photos of people in forms of movement, reflecting upon them and then creating sculptures that begin with one piece of wire and then grow as I twist hundreds of pieces together to form a life within a garment. In case you have not seen my work, you can see my sculptures at www.kristinemays.com
In November of 2011 I was selected as the Artist-in-Residence for the Hunters Point Shipyard Studios through the Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR). Along with exhibition opportunities, and a chance to connect to the Bayview community here in San Francisco, California -- this 18 month residency has given me space to create new work within a beautiful spacious studio! I have found myself creating more than ever and I can see how my work has grown and progressed. My latest work has been more lyrical, often exploring aspects of the wind blowing against the body or the gestures that come through dance. As my residence comes to an end in May of 2012, I would like to take steps to expand and put more of my work out into the world. This is the next step in my career.
THE PLACE
At my last Open Studios event, a number of people remarked that my sculptures reminded them of the spirit of New Orleans. These remarks made me ask, "Just what is the essence of New Orleans?" Sure, I could read books or watch the travel network on TV. I could buy a cookbook or listen to some jazz or brass band music (all things I have done). However - the best way to soak it all in is to actually engage in the sights, smells, sounds and movement of this amazing city firsthand! I am planning a 10 day trip to the city of New Orleans to gather inspiration, to do the groundwork for garnering an exhibit there, and to capture the essence of the city infusing it into my newest body of work.
As an artist I am interested in finding out how my experience and memory of this place will translate into my two and three-dimensional sculptures. The artist Ann Hamilton said, "As an artist, you’re always trying to figure out how to give voice -- in some way or another -- to something that’s there, but that’s not necessarily visible." By becoming immersed in this new place -- watching the way people move about, what they wear, how they respond to life -- I'll have a chance to acquire a new set of stories that play out among my wire sculptures. Coming from San Francisco, a city with it's own richness and culture, it will be interesting to explore the terrain between cultural difference as well as witness the universal elements of human experience within this city that I will be seeing for the first time. I wonder how my work will evolve. What new audiences will I expose myself to? What doors will open as the work expands and flourishes? Each of my sculptures has a purpose and a story. I wonder what stories will arise in the works created out of this experience. Wouldn't you like to know?
WHY TRAVEL?
Traveling will provide a way to seek new influences and inspiration, expanding upon my work in even greater ways. This initial trip is to do the footwork, the groundwork -- to explore and gather information and inspiration. It is an adventure in which I hope to reach new levels of creativity by stepping out of my comfort zone. Hopefully this will be the first trip of many to New Orleans as I work towards exhibiting my work there. With this in mind, I have already begun submitting my work to galleries and making connections with artists who currently live and work within New Orleans. New Orleans is one of a dozen cities in which I'd like to share my talent. My trip will include becoming acquainted with the arts district as I experience the city's local art. I am passionate about meeting local artists and curators, seeing galleries and exposing myself to the unique ways others have shared their artwork.
YOUR SUPPORT
The money you are gifting me will go towards the expense of roundtrip airfare from San Francisco, California to New Orleans, Louisiana as well as cover the cost of accommodations and transportation around the city during my 10 day trip. A new body of work will be created out of this experience. The intention is to show this work in San Francisco, CA as well as in New Orleans, LA. Of course, all "backers" will be invited to come and experience the new work!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
By pledging whatever you can into this project, you have become a backer and a vital part of the journey to fund an adventure that may not otherwise happen. If you aren't familiar to Kickstarter, here's how it works: I have a limited amount of time to reach or exceed my goal. For my campaign, I have chosen 40 days total. Kickstarter is ALL OR NOTHING. If I don't hit my goal, Kickstarter will return your pledge and my project will NOT be funded.
What action steps can you take?
1. Choose one of my incredible rewards!
2. Pledge your support.
3. Spread the word.
So PLEASE, whether or not you donate, spread this page URL around (everyone in your address book).
THANK YOU!
Passion springs forth as I strive to make my next work even more breathtaking than the last! I hope that you will invest in the project and my potential. You will inevitably have a direct connection to the work that I create after this journey. Please pledge and be a part of my adventure.
12/28/2012 - NEW PLEDGE INCENTIVE
Pledge $200. or more -- Big LOVE! This limited edition love set is one flat sculpted piece. Shiny gold letters are accented with a small burgundy heart is a reminder of the transformative power of love.
1/2/2013 - NEW PLEDGE INCENTIVE
Pledge $1000. or more -- Add a full sized sculpture to your collection!
This sculpture, regularly priced at $1800. is being offered to you in my attempt to share my work while expanding upon my dreams! Make it a part of your collection while helping me take one step closer to my goal!
title: Sunshine in Brazil
size: 38in. (h)x 26 in.( w) x 5 in. (d)
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
I think taking risks is the most important thing an artist can do! There's something powerful about following your dreams!
"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can't get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you're doing. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself." - Alan Alda
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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- First created · 5 backed
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- Website: kristinemays.com
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a warm and genuine thanks along with a hug
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a postcard from New Orleans -- Kristine Mays will send you a personally written postcard while on the road, sharing details of her trip and stories gathered from people watching. (Anyone who has ever received one of her letters knows this will be very entertaining!)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 3, 2013 Wire Letter A -- Most of my letters are uppercase so this is an anomaly!
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Show your love and I will show you mine with a wire heart made especially for YOU.
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 16, 2013 "heart on my sleeve" -- A puffed wire heart broach. Can be worn on a shirt, sweater, bag or anywhere you please.-- size: 4 in.(h) x 3.5 in.(w) x 1.25 in.(d)-- (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 7, 2013 "Heart in Her Hand"-- A flat wire woman with loops attaching each limb so that it moves like a marionette doll.
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 13, 2013 -- "P is for POSSIBILITIES" -- 9.5 in.(h) x 11 in. (w) -- jumbo letter P (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 13, 2013 -- "B is for BELIEVE"-- 11 in. (h) x 10.5 in. (w) -- jumbo letter B (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 13, 2013 -- "R is for RISK"-- 10 in. (h) x 12 in.(w) -- jumbo letter R (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 12, 2013 -- "Jewels of Inspiration"--- Diamonds drawn in wire...It's big like a breastplate, made of steel wire coated in clear plastic. (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 14, 2013 "Working on My Crown" -- a tiara style crown with a circle of wire that loops around the back... (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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a fleur-de-lis made of wire by yours truly, Kristine Mays --- Not only is the fleur-de-lis a visual part of New Orleans but symbolically it is called the 'flower of light', representing faith, wisdom and chivalry. With your pledge you will be lighting my path and expressing your faith in my work!
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 5, 2013-- "Giant Steps" -- 9.5 in. (h) x in. 3.5 in.(w) x 10 in. (d)-- (strappy high heeled shoe)-- (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 6, 2013 "Baby Steps"-- A set of little girl mary jane shoes in black with silver 'button' accents. -- The courageous days were great but some days she took small steps, reminding herself to have the faith of a child.
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everything above PLUS - a care package from Kristine that captures 5 senses (see, hear, touch, smell, taste) associated with New Orleans plus a personal note from Kristine about how her experiences relate to what's in the package.
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Big LOVE! This limited edition love set is one flat sculpted piece. These shiny gold letters accented with a small burgundy heart are a reminder of the transformative power of love.
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Pledge $300 or more
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 9, 2013 'the exclamation point' size: TOP -26 in. (h) x 12 in. (w) x 6.5 in. (d), THE DOT - 10 in. (h) x 8 in. (w) x 6 in. (d) ------(See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 8, 2013 "My Heart is Full"-- size: 19 in. (h) x 18 in. (w) x 6 in. (d) -- Her heart was full and she had so much to share. (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 11, 2013 -- fork+spoon -- 26 in. (h) x 7 in. (w) x 3 in. A jumbo sized fork and spoon! (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 9, 2013 "like a woman"-- size: 26 in. (h) x 18 in. (w) x 8 in. (d) -- Regularly $800 this piece is being specially offered for this campaign. (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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Pledge $1,000 or more
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Sunshine in Brazil -- Add a full sized sculpture to your collection! This sculpture, regularly priced at $1800. is being offered to you in my attempt to share my work while expanding upon my dreams! Make it a part of your collection while helping me take one step closer to my goal! (No shipping - Backer must pick up this reward.)
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Pledge $1,500 or more
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ITEM OF THE DAY- January 13, 2013 -- "the offering" -- 27 in.(h) x 23 in. (w) 14 in.(d) -- female figure with hands open in offering (See a photo of it in the backer updates.)
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A one of a kind life-size wire sculpture created from Kristine Mays. This artwork will be available for pickup during or after the the exhibition to be held after the trip has been completed.
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Funding period
- (40 days)
