Collective Visions - Opened at the McClure Gallery November 5, 2008

It's as if I'm trying to make up for lost time this morning. This will be my fourth post in a row. I decided that, while I'm at it, I might as well do my best to fill in the blanks.

What I am showing here is my "Juxtaposition I" (the purplish textile piece) on the bright green wall of the McClure Gallery of the Visual Arts Centre in Westmount, part of this year's Collection Visions Art Exhibition and Gala event.

Collective Visions took place on November 5-15, 2008. Yesterday, I received a nicely written acknowledgement from Victoria LeBlanc thanking me for my participation; mentioning that the exhibition and gala opening party were successful on every count.

I felt happy about participating. I am also happy to play my role in providing exposure, for my work in particular, and textile art in general, to the public eye.

L'or du Bleu - Live Smart Livie Green, October 25 2008

Following the heel of my Open Studio event was the weekend of Live Smart Live Green in Westmount. October 25 2008. This was a public awareness event organized by the local community group, Healthy City, to raise awareness about living our life ecologically and responsibly.

As part of this Healthy City project, back in the summer, the local association invited submission to participate in a special exhibition of works made from or about recycled materials. Well, I talked myself into pursuing a spark of an idea and talked Edmund, my son, into cooperating with me and submitted a proposal: "Techno-Obliviation". Well our submission was selected so we went to work. The following is a direct quote of our statement for the piece that we completed. It was one of a collection of 18 accepted entries shown at the Victoria Hall Gallery October 22-25, 2008.

Techno-Obliviation – L’or du bleu
by Lily Lam and Edmund Lam
October 2008

Modern technology pushes the current of change ever forward. In recent decades, the speed of flow is especially remarkable. Successive waves of techno-oblivation leave recognizable ripple marks in landfill sites everywhere. Yet, many time-honoured textile skills persist, serving as the common thread that links ancient and modern cultures; holding together our social fabric and daily life. We only have to pay a little more attention to become aware of these ever-present influences.
This mural uses the discards from notable generations of digital technology to mark off areas of contiguous space defined by the ever-expanding Fibonacci series. Through this space the three spirals of natural, cultural and technological progression march forward. Although the project plan was drafted using computer-aided-design, its construction falls back on the use of time-honoured manual techniques of spinning, weaving, stitching and knotting. Structurally reminiscent of conventional quilt making, the materials used are anything but typical.

This is the second time this mother and son team collaborates to complete a “quilting” project together. In each case, the project involved using discarded materials that are no longer considered valuable or desirable to express a thoughtful idea in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In completing this project, we obliviated techno junk from our home, as well as built up a stash of enticing components for creative play.


To have a virtual visit to the exhibition of L'or du bleu, visit my web album at http://picasaweb.google.ca/MoonGlowStudio/LOrBleuOct2008##

When Disaster Strikes

When disaster strikes, it is good to remain calm. Things will take its course and normally, things do work out.
So here are some reminders that staying collected and hoping for the best do take one over obstacles safely for a softer landing.

The garden floor turned white last night ...

The garden floor turned white last night as I glanced out of the window beside my bed. First snow of the season softly felt. It was a magical moment, but I was tired. I thought to myself, "I should sleep well tonight. I finally put some order to the recent snapshots and uploaded the results. Tomorrow I can start thinking seriously about packing. By week's end, I shall be back close to the Tropic of Cancer, I shall be a child again and spend some time with mother."

In the past few months, I ran myself ragged with deadlines. The deadlines came and past. I had fun with my play, perhaps a little too much fun. I felt I was on the edge of losing it, losing the balance, the harmony, the ugly word - control. I must be more careful in the new year. I must watch myself and stay away from the temptation of over-committing.

It will be the beginning of the New Year when I will return to my studio again. So it is appropriate to write about my Open Studio experience back in October.

Arts Westmount 2008 took place the weekend of October 18 and 19. This was the second Arts Westmount event and the first time I participated. It proved to be a great experience even if it was a fair bit of effort to pull it off.

As usual, I didn't finish all I wanted to do, but that's very much expected. it's the norm of my life. The unexpected twist was the emergence water main break disaster. Having to deal with workmen digging holes on my front lawn and inside my studio space when I needed to do last minute preparation and cleanup was a nightmare I can do without..

The visits were interesting and the visitors interested. I even made some sales! It feels good to be appreciated, especially when people were ready to part with their cash. Would I do it again? Most probably. It was an interesting stopping point on my on-going journey. The best part of it was meeting and interacting with all the "chance" visitors.

As I like to do with me new adventures, I took lots of photos. My camera has become my trusted notepad. So another album has been added to the collection.

See it at http://picasaweb.google.ca/MoonGlowStudio/ArtsWestmount2008#