Brooklyn in Stop Motion

One of my favorite parts of being an artist are impromptu collaborations. Friends and strangers become part of my work by sharing their stories, which I record and transform into 2- and 3-dimensional embroideries. I sometimes even make stop motion animations using the audio recordings (which I edit).

Stop motion is new to me; I read an online tutorial to get the basic concept. And I now make these pieces which to me have a handmade feel. They're not clean and overly produced and edited; they're more about finding another way to share narrative in the digital age.

The piece below, An Old New York You Don't Really See, is narrated by my friend, Sherri Kronfeld, a native New Yorker and current Brooklynite. She is particularly gifted at capturing 1908s NYC through the eyes and impressions of a child. I wish my own memories retained the feelings of being a kid.

Where has March gone?

While warmer weather continues to evade us, I've taken advantage of the climate to work indoors on growing Native/Immigrant City, my homage to New Yorkers born in the City and from other States and countries.

My current piece in process is below. Please get in touch if you happen to be a current or former Brooklyn resident with a story to share about your experience making a home in the borough.

I also want to thank the Brooklyn Arts Council for providing me with some funding to grow and continue this project. More specifically, I have a generous regrant from the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

Finally, stay tuned for announcements of by-donation workshops coming soon to a Brooklyn venue near you...I provide supplies and instruction; you show up with an idea for a soft sculpture. Together, we turn your vision into a physical reality.

Selfie and @YrImaginaryDog, hanging out at IMC Lab and Gallery in NYC

The opening for Reach Out and Touch Me was fun. It was one of the coldest nights of the year. Nevertheless, many friends showed up, surprising me.

Above is my soft sculpture "family," Selfie, @YrImaginaryDog and her iPhone watching a stop motion video of me embroidering Selfie's and @YrImaginaryDog's tweets on Selfie. 

The exhibit is up through March 18th at IMC Lab, 56 W 22nd Street near 6th Ave in NYC. Get in touch if you'd like to visit!

In the meantime, stay tuned for news of my BAC-sponsored Native/Immigrant City project. As for me, I'm off to art fairs today. I can't wait for Spring Break!

Winter cheer - Thursday opening @IMCLabGallery

Dear blog readers,

Yes, it's cold. Yes, I am suffering from season-long sinus congestion. I'm giving up dairy. For real, this time. It's going to be hard. I will miss Greek yogurt more than I can say. I am hoping coconut yogurt (which is basically a sugary custard) will suffice. Who am I kidding? I can't even keep a straight face typing this.

Anyway, enough about me. 

Thanks to IMC Lab & Gallery, the opening for my solo show, the culmination of my Co-Create Residency, is this Thursday. Details below on the invitation co-designed with James Tunick, Residency co-director and technology guru.

I can't wait! If you're in the NYC area, please come by!

Selfie with @YrImaginaryDog

Fearing that Selfie might get lonely, I made her a dog, @YrImaginaryDog, who provides unsolicited advice via Twitter to @EmbroideryPoems. Follow us to be part of the conversation and watch the development of these narrative, interactive sculptures, making an appearance in your NYC neighborhood soon!

Art Opening HiJinks and He Stepped in a Pool of Red Paint

www.IvivaOlenick.com

I've been slowly making organizational and content changes to my web site, www.IvivaOlenick.com. I'm particularly excited about a new series of small, soft sculptures, "Native/Immigrant City." You can check them out here.

  

This tree was planted in front of my apartment as part of the NYC Million Trees project. "Brooklyn Full of Leaves, Treehouses." 2014. Sculpture with fabric, paint, stiffener, embroidery. 

Oh, Facebook. We never met, but...

"Visual assault of your Facebook
photos the morning after we
didn't meet. Your flimsy excuses
and unrepentant arrogance.

"Piecing him together from
Facebook and OkCupid photos.
We never met, yet I almost ended
up at his apt one night..."

Embroidery, watercolor, and
appliqué. 2013. 6" x 4.5"

Another piece for my December 13th show with Muriel Guepin Gallery. Stay tuned for opening reception and exhibition details!

New work for upcoming show with Muriel Guepin Gallery - stay tuned!

Embroidery and watercolor. 2013.
"Subway Blues."

The myth versus the man

The Affordable Art Fair is this May 5-8 at 7 West 34th Street in Manhattan. I'm stitching like crazy to prepare. Thanks to Muriel Guepin of Muriel Guepin Gallery for representing my work there. I can't wait for this annual show.

Summer fun with new exhibits!

I am excited to announce my participation in "from the tongue," an exhibit about text-based work curated by the lovely Brooklyn embroiderer (and new mom), Joetta Maue.

I will be exhibiting "Rose Hens," which is part of FiberGraf, my collaboration with graffiti artist, Jon Baker. For this piece, I scanned one of Jon's old drawings, printed it on fabric, and carefully covered his tag with French knots...This piece took months to make, and I am grateful it will soon be seen by many New Yorkers. 

Details for the show:

Opening - June 24, 8-10pm 

@ Lotus Gallery Space/34 North Moore Street

The exhibit will remain on view until August 6th.

There are 30 participating artists. I can't wait to be surrounded by "my people" at the opening - fellow embroiderers!

Check out the other artists here.

And if this isn't enough excitement, I am participating in the Center for Book Arts Summer Bene Fête on Wednesday, June 16th. The event takes place from 5-9pm and it's free -- a party with food, music, and the opportunity to see and purchase the work of some cutting-edge book artists. 

The Center is located at 28 West 27th Street, 3rd Floor. 

Accessible via the N/R/W to 28th Street; the F/V to 23rd Street, or the 1 to 28th Street.

Hope to see you at one of these events!!

MTA: Brooklyn's veins and arteries...Get there from here

J train: ReJoice

L train: BeLoved

G: Get going

C: Come on

M: Mystery train

D: Diverge

R: Ride

(c) 2010 Iviva Olenick