Coming off the high of last night, I recieved sad news that Barba-Del Campbell, probably Lehigh Valley’s biggest art enthusiast and even bigger in personality, humor, and wisdom, has passed away this morning.

I want to share with you a little about my relationship with her.  I returned to the Valley in 2001 and had my first exhibition here in the beginning of 2002.  Barba-del immediately dubbed me the “Valley’s Frida Khalo” which felt like to me an enormous title to be able fulfill.  Before she knew my artwork, she would chat with me about anything under the sun anytime I was at the Allentown Art Museum Gift Store, where she volunteered for a number of years.

Barba-del could be seen in the Baum hallways as she had profound relationships with many of the instructors and staff there.  Any event Baum had you could hear her hearty laugh and commanding presence.  She was a force not to miss and who would want to?  Every story she had was something you would imagine in novels- her life, incredibly colorful!

I asked Barba-del to be a part of “she her i: a portrait of women”- an installation I did in 2008.  I think I already have expressed that this experience was had been incredibly poignant.  Through these women, I felt I would have incredible lessons about my own security and identity.  I truly wish that every person could have an experience like I had when I put that show together.  Hopefully this little bit of insight, you too may feel the incredible impact that I am so fortunate to have had.

IF this is the first time you have read my blog, “she her i” was an installation  where I interviewed 22 women in the Valley about components of their identity.  When the 33 question written survey was completed, I then did a photoshoot with each of them.  I’m going to share some of our coorespondance.

When I asked Barba-del to take part in the piece, I recieved a lovely card accepting my offer.  She writes:
“I was an early feminist, and I tell everyone that I regret starting women’s lib (I never minded letting Gloria Steinem getting the credit) because it has failed.  Females have opted to present themselves as sex objects during school, and working, and at the marriage altar.  It never bothered me to model nude, but spare me the backless, and almost frontless, wedding gowns.  The expense of them could be saved if women just presented themselves nude.
Well, I think you already know that I have opinions….”

As I photographed her, she elaborated on her survey and colorful life.  She mentions her time in Manhattan- having dinner with Marlene Dietrich (an invitation extended by her daughter because she knew Barba-del and her mother would be kindred spirits and spent the evening comparing recipes and joking about the challenges of being a woman with a raspy voice).  She was most proud of being mentioned in Lloyd L. Brown’s biography of  The Young Paul Robeson- the African American actor to first do Shakespeare’s Othello, paving the way for Sidney Poiter.  She was a model for many painters and in fact, still modeled for Baum classes these last few years.  When I asked her about growing up and aging, she responded: “I feel catagorized rather than objectified.  Old has become the dirty word Sex used to be.  I’m regarded as a senior citizen before I am seen as a person.  Funny, I never think of younger people as junior citizens.”

I have only known Barba-del during these last nine years since I returned here to the Lehigh Valley and I wish to have known her throughout her life.  A few years ago, I remember hearing about her crooked apartment in an old mansion lined with books.  She would thoughtfully cut articles out of the New York Times for my referenceand leave them at the Baum School desk for me.  She attended some college but did not graduate however is probably one of the most well read people I have encountered.  And when it came to defining herself in one word, she chose: “Questioning.  I have a lifelong passion for knowing the why and the how of everything under the sun, and beyond it.  The more one knows and understands, the more ease one finds within oneself.”

The second to last question on the survey was “Is there anything else you would like to be known about yourself?” 
After filling out questions about race, family, gender, sexuality, and occupation,  Barba-del answers; “The world is not here for me, I am here for the world.”  Thank you, Barba-del.  You were an incredible gift.  May you rest in peace.

I have a few pics to show you from last night on the street but first and foremost, let me just tell you how last night we had an incredible turnout for First Friday.  Thank you planets for all aligning!

The One Stone gals were well recieved by Bethlehem’s First Friday goers and I knew they would be!  Above you’ll see Corey during her performance in Home and Planet’s window.  In case you need a little refresher- the One Stone show was about the different roles we fit into.  Corey Breinesen is working off of the Matriarch and is referencing the Native American mythologies that the Matriarch is represented as the weaver, creator of the bond between familial structures.  She is working entirely of rubberbands to create a gorgeous space in the front window.

Next door to Corey was Bea Wolert’s work entitled “Tiffany Blue/Gun Metal Grey.”  This is a dyptich that represents the dichotomy within ourselves.  The colored patterns on the piece are created by colored bolts screwed into wood panel.  I absolutely adore the contrasting marks the bolts make- so incredibly beautiful.  I totally want this for my house.

Down the street a bit at Shuze, is Marcie Farwell.  Her archetype is the Storyteller/Oracle.  The cut away tree are entirely made up of storybook pages and backlit to create beautiful patterns.  Inside the window (which I promise to photograph for you yet…. I must have imagined that I already did!) is a sweet little video theater that plays a gorgeous video.  Marcie collaborated with dancer, Lindsey Gilmore, to create an interpretation of the storyteller within a stark wintery landscape.  I promise to photograph that segment for you- it is not to be missed!

And finally down the street by Merissa and Massie (both who I already have spoke about in a previous post- it’s ok, you can go back and read it), Meghan is displayed in Marla Duran’s studio.  Meghan worked with the concept of “Women during War.”  It is a compelling  juxtaposition between traditional women’s craft and the images of women during the larger wars America has fought.  These were some beautifully crafted pieces that you really want to spend some time and admire.  Her chosen processes were knitting (as you see below); quilling; flower pressing; embroidery; and quilting.

I have yet to photograph Timi’s “Crazy Cat Lady” which coincedentally enough is the only piece on the other side of the street.  But I better act fast because it was rather popular and there are bids to take hers home.  Go Timi!!

All in all, the One Stone gals worked pretty hard on this exhibit and the manuevering between artists, store owners, and the university did at times feel like a three ring circus.  BUT this all certainly would not have happened without the help and ingenuinity of Silagh White, director of Arts Lehigh.  She created relationships with the owners; problem solved (especially when one of our venues went out of business!); held keys; provided rooms for tired artists; tweeted about our progress; generated buzz; made many many copies; hiked the southside shouting our accolades; herded cats (um I mean storewoners and artists); and probably came up with a solution to solve world hunger during the process. 

Many hats worn by so many people during this entire process….. if you only saw backstage!

Hit up the One Stone gals blog-
www.onestonecollective.blogspot.com
and friend them on facebook and follow them on twitter!

While you are at it- why not check out all the stores and organizations who helped us out!
www.homeandplanet.com
www.tallaricoschocolate.com
www.marladuran.com
Shuze and Cleo do not have websites but go to their store anyway.  You can also friend these lovely establishments on facebook.  Shuze has a lovely chronicle of Marcie.
And since you are friending away, go ahead and friend Arts Lehigh, Banana Factory, the Lehigh Women’s Center, and the Lehigh Women Studies program.

So much to do, right?

….more to come about Chores.  GORGEOUS show!

OK… this is yet another quick post since I have to run to class in a moment but I wanted to encourage you, dear readers, to come out to First Friday tomorrow night.  “Chores” will be opening at BF AND the One Stone ladies will be in town for the opening of their show, “Archetypes: These Role(s) We Wear.”  Both exhibits are quite swanky if I do say so myself!

But I have to say this week will be the end of the first leg of all the Women’s History Month hoopla!  I will be thrilled to see both exhibits get the accolades they deserve- in fact, Massie of One Stone will be on the Lehigh Valley Arts Salon THIS MONDAY on WDIY at 6pm.  Check her out…. her interview should be so great and you can hear how wonderfully fabulous she and the rest of the One Stone gals are!!

Here’s Massie’s work- her archetype was the “scientist/warrior” and she is in the former Clothesline Organics space (next to Merissa).

Last but not least, I promise to have images up from the rest of the ladies after this weekend as well as the “Chores” exhibit, but you should really see if all in person.  It’s worth it!

Once these exhibits open then it’s back to work for me!  You can see my sketch of what I need to accomplish during next week’s spring break (thank all the gods and universe energies for aligning spring break to coincide at each of my three schools!).  My show is coming, folks…. and it’s gonna be fabulous!

(I also wanted to post another pic of Rissy’s piece… i got a cool shot yesterday…. I soooooo promise to shoot the rest asap!!)

This is Rissy’s work installed at the now vacant Clothesline Organics on Third Street (and that’s her in the doorway)…. just a sneak peak as to what’s to come…..

We’ve been installing “These Role(s) We Wear” on Third Street and “Chores” this weekend.  I don’t have time to update you on much but needless to say, with the wholloping of snow New York got last week, it threw a wrench into installation for the Collective this weekend.  And well, “Chores” was wrought with it’s issues too with Karla’s work lost by UPS- only to resurface last night, box damaged but work a-ok.  I am just nearing completion of the installations.

I’m still sick to death over the amount of work to do for both shows to open on Friday AND for my show to open on March 15.  I don’t know what made me think I would actually work on my piece this past weekend but I am extraordinarily anxious about that too. 

I need a mantra….

Regardless….. you need to come to First Friday this week and see both exhibitions. 

MARCH 5- “aRCHETYPES: THESE ROLE(S) WE WEAR” soUTHSIDE bETHLEHEM THIRD STREET STOREFRONTS;  7-10PM

“cHORES: A CONTEMPORARY DISCOURSE IN DOMESTICITY”  bANANA fACTORY mEMBER’S gALLERY AND lOUNGE (2ND FLOOR); 6-9PM

Yes, I know I had the cap lock on…. I actually didn’t realize it but then liked the “shouting effect”.  Do it.  Come.

OK so I’m feeling incredibly guilty to watch my neighbors from the second floor shovel and snow blow out my alley where I live.  Good ol’ Atown was pounded with what looks like a foot of snow which was absolutely gorgeous coming down yesterday.  Being that I was snowed in- I hit the grocery store on my way back home from school Tuesday night and bought ingredients so that I could artistically express myself in cake yesterday.  I have been absolutely enamored with a cake recipe I found while reading Flavorpill’s list of “Valentine’s Day gifts that don’t suck.”  (Maybe I should stick to artmaking…. this cake is a bit rough around the edges but I still think it’s adorable).

What I SHOULD have been doing yesterday if I had been on the ball, was working on the video component for my installation.  I have not yet checked out the camera so there is yet one more day that goes by where I have not tackled video.  It’s ok, I tell myself.  It will get done.  It has to.  Silagh already rented the projector

But why am I really writing today…. well, last week I did an interview with a woman named Megan for the “Evolving Archetype” series.  I had a really great question that I think no one has ever asked me before.  Her question was: “what archetype are you?”

We’ve been talking about archetypes for months and even Silagh and I sat around one afternoon talking about how archetypes have changed and she quickly identified hers but I haven’t ever really thought what mine would be- like in a succinct label.  Kinda weird that I think about this a lot, yet have not identified my own.

So my knee jerk response was “career girl.”  Yup, I pretty much am sucked up by my career and we know how mixed I feel about that but I couldn’t let that land as the one thing that label’s me.  I feel as though to be identified only by a career is rather superficial and I think I am much more than that.  I think about much more so therefore it couldn’t be the ONE thing.

My work creates, I guess, sub-archetypes- meaning one’s that are derivative of larger stories.  Architect’s Daughter (AD) would be one of them and that is exactly how I identify myself for now.  AD is about the deconstruction and reconstruction of identity.  For a period of time, I felt like maybe I had few choices.  Maybe that gender expectations defined me rather than me defining myself.   It’s a weird place to be and probably is a result of low self esteem and a place of victimized confidence (if that makes sense).  And I’m being pretty frank with you, dear readers, that depression is an awful place in which to define yourself (and am quite happy now!).

I began AD about a year and a half ago but that isn’t to say that is when all of that hullabaloo ended.  One thing I have encountered with my process is that I need to assess and come to a resolution about concepts and emotions  in order to apply them to what I do.  This takes years and at times, I think I have it all figured out only to go back to the drawing board.  BUT I think AD has a bit of  the visual and emotional synergy that I look for- which is a great feeling.

So in my sub-archetype of Architect’s Daughter, I think I’m on the active side of defining who I am- on my own terms.  It is assessing exactly who you want to be and throwing out the garbage of expectations; the “shoulds”, and the “have to’s.”  I like being in that spot because for once it feels completely liberating.  As Architect’s Daughter, I now become the architect which in a way becomes an ode to myself but also my parents.  Daughter implies the examples that have been set for you that now become one’s guideposts along the way.

I ended my response to Megan’s question with the archetype of where I would like to be and that is the Jungian/Gnostic Sophia.  I love this story and I love it’s realization.  I think maybe I have talked about Sophia before but to refresh your memory….

The myth of Sophia identifies her as the mother of the “godhead.”  She births god and god becomes the father of creation.  When Sophia sees that god’s creation is flawed, she begins a journey to search for her son and have him remedy his creation.  She endlessly searches only to come to the realization that she created god and therefore it is from within her, creation emerged.  She can create change; she can suggest growth; she can do this singularly.  She realizes that she is god and capable of creating what she wants to see.

This is a place I feel I grow nearer to.  Jung suggests we all strive for this Sophia unconsciously.  For me, well, maybe it’s a little bit more in the forefront of my mind but I know, at times, I tend to forget that I’m on the journey.  But little dips in the journey make the resolution that much sweeter…. maybe like a good piece of cake.

hm.....

Well, my sweet readers…. some have asked what progress I have made over the weekend. Here’s an image that I am not quite sure if I should classify as progress. One of the exciting things when we first opened the walls was the gorgeous lath work became exposed. The problem was that what we had opened seems to cover what was at one time a doorway. So I had a lovely cavity to build my “heatherness” into but I also exposed the lath. I contemplated on leaving the lath as it is but them i felt like it was a disconnect between the “heatherness” and the lath. I decided to try building “heatherness” over the lath so that the effect was no more cohesive. But I’m not sure how much I like that.

I spent a good hour yesterday, cutting wood then putting it in place then ripping it off. I decided to leave just enough up so that I can think about it and then perhaps come back and build more or take it down altogether. I have so much more the the “heatherness” to build throughout the room so it makes me think that I just have cold feet… but then again I just love that lath.

DO you see the conundrum? Art is about making decisions and hopefully from time to time you make the right ones. I know I’m onto something here- it’s just in a stage where I need to feel my way through so by no means think I am in crisis mode!

(ha…. it’s funny. I’ve been looking everywhere for that water bottle today!)

And ps. my obsessive taping of the kickguard is complete. I’ll spare you the image but I’m damn proud of it!

and pps. the blog is about to get a facelift so maybe when you sign on tomorrow, this page will be far prettier. Comments welcome… please feel free to comment. Until I figure out how to get rid of the numerous amounts of spam that filters it’s way here, I need to moderate the comments. I am looking to not be a dumping ground for porn sites and shoe outlets. So as soon as I get your comment, I’ll post it!

Lydia checked out my blog and sent along the image of Rissy and I!

Isn’t this incredible!!

If you haven’t yet…. check out her website www.lydiapanas.com.  It is worth it!

Lydia Panas

I can’t tell you enough about how excited I am to see my “Evolving Archetype” series come together (and if you are a new reader- This visual arts series takes place next month in Southside Bethlehem in celebration of Women’s History Month).  I know I have talked about the One Stone Collective and my own installation at Arts Lehigh but I do have other fantastic events happening.

Thursday, March 25, photographer Lydia Panas is speaking about her work on Lehigh’s campus.  The talk is at 4pm so if you are free, you should really come!  Lydia has a show coming up at Banana Factory which opens in April entitled: “Family Secrets/Untold Stories.”  It will be a gorgeous collection of photographs.  My sister and I were photographed by her 2 summers ago and it’s a lovely experience.  If you have ever met Lydia, she is petite woman who moves a mile a minute.  So when my sister and I arrived at her home on a beautiful amount of land, Lydia was set to go.  She hauls her 4 x 5 camera, tripod, numerous pieces of film, and accessories out to the field always racing the light.  Merissa and I were photographed around dusk against some pretty berry bearing bushes but during a buggy time of day.  Lydia moved us about then would disappear under the camera tarp.  At times, she would let out a little shriek of excitement then ask us to hold our position.  We felt like china dolls!  You’ll have to find us on her website- www.lydiapanas.com! (I didn’t ask for permission to use our image here but please enjoy the one she forwarded me!)

karla stingerstein

The other thing you need to check out while around the Southside is the exhibition I have put together entitled “Chores: a contemporary discourse in domesticity.”  This opens Friday, March 5 at Banana Factory.  You’ll have to come up to the second floor to the Member’s Lounge which is a great little space to intimately view work.  I couldn’t be more thrilled about how this show has come together!  While I was in graduate school, I read a book entitled “Women’s Work.”  It chronicles a global and historical narrative about the jobs and chores women have adopted as their own.  It suggests a formation of a gendered identity and an establishment of roles.  So in putting this exhibition together, I thought I would look at artists who are dealing with the idea of chores.  I think that as a society, chores have evolved and changed which also indicates a shift about how gender can be considered.  Included in this show is work that: questions familial and gender relationships; suggests emotional serenity in domestic habit; and re-evaluates the mundane.

It’s all pretty sweet so be sure not to miss it.  I’m still confirming the last of our artists for this show so I will list the fabulous roster with links as soon as it’s tied up!  Check back soon!