Thursday, July 14, 2011

Manifesto


Last year sometime I heard someone (and I honestly can't remember who) say slightly snidely "Well! You don't want finger prints in your polymer clay!" and that did it for me. I started working on beads that had my finger prints as their texture.


Lately I've been wrestling with the big ideas of copying and being authentic and how can any of us ever be sure we aren't unwittingly using too much of someone else's idea, what with the overwhelming number of visual images we have access to EVERY SINGLE DAY. Angst.

It seemed like the right time to finally complete and post this necklace. The white beads are made with my finger prints. No one can copy my fingerprints but if someone would copy the beads they will be forced to use THEIR OWN finger prints. I enjoy the irony.

11 comments:

  1. beautiful, and such a great back story. I'm struck by the asymmetry of the necklace. very lovely.

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  2. Your work really is that innovative- it has a style that anyone can recognize as yours. Anyone who copies it has good taste, but no ethics. And sadly, no creativity of their own.

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  3. YES! Finally someone has embraced the fingerprints! I adore your rebellious and ingenious spirit. This necklace is stunning. Fingerprints are beautiful - and you showcase them here - brilliant! I work in polymer clay as well and have felt a great deal of annoyance about the 'anti-fingerprint' chorus. Those fingerprints that are so roundly condemned are from our beautiful and precious hands - never to reproduced again. Thank you!

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  4. Excelente razonamiento, se puede copiar el diseño, pero no las huellas dactilares. El collar precioso. Besos

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  5. this is just beautiful.
    the copying thing is stressful and crappy. try not to let it get you down, your work is incredible :)

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  6. the necklace is beautiful! fingerprints - love it.

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  7. Love your fingerprints !!!

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  8. Missed you...glad you're back and your fingerprints too.
    The other one that scorches me a little is the 'all polymer and no paint was used in this design'. Probably isn't meant the way I interpret it! Actually makes me want to smear paint on everything, well...uh...I do actually...

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  9. Lovely necklace!
    Re: Claire's comment...I can relate to the need to say "no paint was used" because often when people see my beads, the first thing they say is "Oh, you paint them?" and then I explain, "No, no paint. The clay comes in basic colors and you can smoosh them together, twist it, tear it, wrap it, shape it, and the colors come out of all that. I never really know how it will turn out -- but that's my favorite part about working with polymer clay."

    And I like fingerprints too. One fingerprint is not great, but many overlapping ones makes a nice subtle texture. Though one fingerprint on the back of a pendant could be a signature!

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  10. I really love your work. The textures, the earthiness, and the fearless ventures into large scale!

    ...and the fingerprints! There is a place for everything and I am a firm believer that certain styles are enhanced by fingrprints. To NOT have fingerprints sometimes feels too sterile to me.

    Claire - I hear you on the paint! :^) Sometimes I feel like I'm considered a dabbler because I use paint. Becca, you make a good point.

    The copying question can indeed be a tricky topic. Gen knows how she and I started faceting simultaneously and we talked a bit about inspiration and not wanting to step on each other's artistic toes. Our styles are similar at times, but Gen has become a master of scale, balance and texture. Definitely a signature style!

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