Sunday 31 January 2010

Pocket Garden



I am in this exhibition called Insert Coin Here - curated by Nella Themelios & Kim Brockett, comprising vending machines placed around Melbourne CBD and containing 'fashion objects' produced by over 50 Melbourne-based artists.



I didn't want to interpret 'fashion object' literally and also I didn't think I should pretend I know something about fashion, as I haven't really explored that areas in my practice and have no fashion sense myself!
So I decided to make something that can be carried everywhere quietly in someone's pocket or a bag, creating a space for imagination in daily life, and with a material that I'm more familiar with.



I was forming an idea of making miniature books and then I met this quote, Chinese proverb - "A book is like a garden carried in the pocket"





I have to make an edition of 10 minimum so I made book covers first - get all calculations and measuring done first...



I knew each book could never be the same as it's hand-cut but at least I need design of all things to be the same so I made a template by photocopying and cutting the design so I can trace the rest, as shown above.
I haven't finished all of them yet so this would be my priority for this week!

There is my favorite paper weight on the right by the way. It's a black dog, given by my mum.

The exhibition is part of the 2010 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival cultural program and starting from 1 March.
Please have a look at the blog for this show!
I can't wait to see what other artists are doing for this show, you can see all participating artists in this exhibition blog too.

26 comments:

Bridget Farmer said...

I wish I was in Melbourne to see this face to face, it's just stunning! Everything you do is exceptional.

balanced. said...

Ah, too cute!
I want one.

Kate Moore said...

Beautiful work. Thanks Bridget for pointing it out on your blog.

Non-Indigenous Woman said...

This looks wonderful!!

Unknown said...

Wow! Thank you so much! I didn't know I'd get such lovely comments!!!

elizabeth barnett said...

these are so beautiful. i would love one in my pocket!

The Beaufort 8 Group said...

Beautiful Kyoko, I am going to try and find one of the vending machines for sure!

ckillin said...

what a lovely idea and the most stunning execution. can't believe you're making ten of these ..

and thanks for sharing your process, love to see that.

Claire said...

Kyoko, your work is wonderful, such detail and to be making 10 of these books!! Very interesting to see photos of the process, you must have alot of patience.I love the Hummingbird. I wonder what would happen if you added water, voila, instant garden.

Unknown said...

Thank you for the lovely comments!
Yes I can't believe I'm actually making 10+ of this book. This project actually made me want to explore practice of artist books further!
Water is actually a great idea, Thank you Claire:)

stargazer said...

Wow, this is exquisite :) You must have incredible patience as well as a very steady hand and eyesight! It's really beautiful - thank you for sharing your images...

Yoli said...

How imaginative! This is really exquisite work. Like the rest of the commenters I am blown away by your mastery.

thehauntedstudiounderthestairs said...

K-

Aaaaaah CRAP! Yer killing me!
Stop making this amazing stuff!
I want yer brain...It is full fantastic ideas.

Suggestion...your favorite black bunnies, (that show up everywhere),
Make a little book as such and have them show up...make the scenes from anywhere or anywhen...since yer bunnies time travel.

k

Anonymous said...

Truly amazing. I marvel your tenacity at making this an edition print..truly lovely
Janet B.

Insert Coin Here said...

so beautiful!
we can't wait to see it!

xx Nella + Kim

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for all your comments... They mean so much to me!!

Love that suggestion Kevin!!!
Coincidently I was just reading some article about time travel!

thehauntedstudiounderthestairs said...

K-
I just put a teaser post on my bloggy of a quick poem thingy I'm workin' on...have a lookie.

I truly think you should tackle some of yer art with a some sort of writing in mind. Be it a Haiku, an aH-choo!, a poem, a witty verse...(maybe a verse that is not so witty and lets people know they are wankers), ok...maybe not that one...I would even tackle a simple children's book. I am working on a childrens book now. (not drawing or writing it...reading it...and I must be honest, green eggs and ham are not that exciting, even with a mouse)

a pleasure always typin' to you!

K

thehauntedstudiounderthestairs said...

K-

Oh yea...time travel. I was just musing that over myself the last couple 'o days.

I would honestly be afraid of that kind of power....in my hands.

Archeologists make news finding the remains of a tricertops giving a T-Rex a wedgie. Snap!

K

Unknown said...

Thank you Kevin:)
Yes totally I'd give my writing a try!
I like Green Ham and Eggs! When I saw this on a menu in a cafe I was excited!

Have you looked at this artist Shaun Tan? He's Australian and one of my favorite book illustrators.

Just went to Wikipedia for some info about Time travel... overwhelmed!

Nice typing to you too!

JaneA said...

I loooove this book. So delicate.

Simon. said...

such a lot of effort, I am going to save up my $2 coins for the opening.
Have you seen Emma Van Leest's papercuts?

I really like your work. I found it through Bridget's blog. I'm sad that I was not in melbourne for your bus show.

I would be really pleased if you would come to my exhibition on March 3rd at c3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonland/4363396497/

Simon. said...

here is the link

Unknown said...

Simon, thank you!
I actually have seen your work before and LOVED it!
I went to your exhibition at Bus in 2008 with Kylee.
I think I had a book club with your girlfriend too!! I met her through Kylee too.

Unknown said...

And I think I saw Emma Van Leest's work before, it was super intricate beyond description!

Meliors Simms said...

Gosh I wish I were in Melbourne to get one of these sweet little books

red road studio said...

this is quite lovely! i really like the scale and the incredible detail - i'm working with some art and design students on something a little different to this but will certainly be using this as inspiration (we're working on an altered book project) what a happy find!