We Are All Related: Ruby Barnes from the US and Roland Idaczyk from New Zealand

Here, There, and Everywhere: Anticipating The Art of The Future

Monday, April 6 - Thursday, April 30, 2009

‘Mitakuye Oasin." is like a greeting, acknowledging that the earth and its inhabitants are all connected in one big web of life; the web is created by all of us; and the web is sacred. “The piece we plan to produce, entitled We Are All Related, is a celebration of that connection. Conceptually, it is meant to act as a signpost or greeting to all walks of life and is made to be hung outdoors, especially by places that need to be looked at or that may need our care. “The art of the future could have a role far beyond the gallery, museum or investment house. It could just ‘be" in our midst adding beauty and inspiration in unexpected places. “Our chosen topic, the spirit of things in the natural world, is something that will require awareness from all humans if we are to continue to coexist on the planet. We can only look to the art, stories and life skills of the aboriginal peoples to re-learn about our connection to the living web of life that we call planet earth." For their project Idaczyk's photographs were printed onto silk and collaged with larger pieces of silk that were dyed with permanent textile dyes. According to the artists, “The challenge was the combining of all the elements into a cohesive whole. Idaczyk's photos were downloaded from his website; and, by mirror-imaging them side-by-side, they became symmetrical and iconic. Sometimes fanciful beings emerged in the process. Size was determined by the printing processes involved: The photo can be no larger than sixty inches to go through the press. Through back and forth email conversations, the artists chose to create three vertical silk panels that hang side by side to create a large piece about ninety inches across by sixty inches tall. This will be hung like a curtain on a bamboo rod.