Timothy Reflects: Part Two – On “Planned” Projects
Timothy’s time as Artist in Residence has since reached it’s halfway point. And oh, what a marvelous 6+ months it’s been for Timothy. I’ve asked him to reflect on some of his experience, and we’ve decided to break down his experiences into four parts, this is Part Two – On “Planned” Projects
“What makes you think of these ideas?” “How did you decide to use cassette tapes?” “He’s a genius!” “You realize you’re clinically insane right?” These are all comments and questions from various guests. ALL of them have been said or asked many times over. As artists we can materialize what inspires us, but what dives us and motivates us, what sparks the desire, is not always so tangible. In twenty-three years I haven’t left the country and I have only visited at length nine states.
Milwaukee has been indescribably inspiring. The Pfister has acted as a platform so many opportunities. It has come to the point that Milwaukee is offering the same satisfaction as traveling to another country. When inspiration in this deep you have to run with it to create your work. Before landing in Milwaukee my proposal was to create “six Victorian ball gowns” This has morphed to five vignette gowns from slightly different eras that act individually and together to tell a story. That story is of the fictional Mrs. Charles Pfister, as the hotel’s founder, Charles, was never married.
Then I found out that Miss Wisconsin was crowned Miss America 2012. This sparked my interest in the pageantry to discover that there is a Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin a subject close to my heart.
With my large weavings I have been doing with them as much as I can, one in particular I threw into our swimming pool to conclude that unquestionably need to make a merman tail. But then you find out that people have their own relationships with cassette tapes and now I have guests requesting items made from their cherished tapes. Being raised catholic, the Fiddler on the Roof was my window into Jewish wedding traditions. Now being at the Pfister I have rediscovered incredible traditions specifically around the Jewish wedding canopy, the Chuppah. I am excited to begin work on a few.
To even begin to guess that you “know” what you’re going to work on is a drastic misconception. This has been an incredible evolving experience.
- Part One – Part One – On “‘Studio’ Practice”
- Part Two – On “Planned” Projects
- Part Three – On Conferences (coming soon)
- Part Four – On Guests (coming soon)