The Mysterious Content of Softness
February 04, 2011 - June 26, 2011
The Mysterious Content of Softness
The Mysterious Content of Softness
"... awe-inspiring." - Joey Veltkamp, best of
"A boundary-breaking show." - Rosemary Ponnekanti, The News Tribune
"... striking for its lack of delicacy." - Adrianna Grant, Visual Art Source
Bringing together 11 national and international artists, The Mysterious Content of Softness is an exploration of the transformative power of fiber and its connection to the human body. Fiber techniques such as knitting, loom-weaving and crochet have long helped us to fashion personal identity, whether through the clothing we wear or our cultural traditions. In fact, the very nature of fiber—sometimes soft and flexible, while at other times rough and rigid—carries with it a unique metaphor for what it means to be human. It is these mysteriously soft, yet enduring qualities—the ability to adapt and shape—which gives fiber its immense potential for addressing who we are and for capturing the open-ended fluidity of life. The exhibition's title is inspired by Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz, whose enormous fiber sculptures made her one of the most celebrated artists of our time.
Featured artists include: Diem Chau, Lauren DiCioccio, Angela Ellsworth, James Gobel, Angela Hennessy, Rock Hushka, Lisa Kellner, Miller & Shellabarger, Lacey Jane Roberts, Jeremy Sander, and Nathan Vincent.
Exhibition Credit & Sponsors
Organized by Bellevue Arts Museum, curated by Stefano Catalani and made possible by 4Culture and City of Bellevue Arts Program.