my make believe collection :: 22 :: tiffany chung

installation of tiffany chung's work at SFMOMA

i took my class to SFMOMA a month or so ago. i wanted them to see jay defeo's work because we had just read an article on the rose [her famous painting].  we ended up also seeing the six lines of flight show.

and i had one of those OH moments. i was familiar with many of the artists in the show. liked the idea of thinking about contemporary art in multiple geographic locales. and then turned the corner and was face to face with tiffany chung's work. i liked it so much i asked the guard if i could please take a picture of her placard to remember her name [no photos allowed]. luckily she said yes.

RECOVERING BEIRUT: HALF-WAY BETWEEN THE IMAGINARY AND REALITY 1964-2016, 2012
MICROPIGMENT INK, GEL INK AND OIL MARKER ON VELLUM AND PAPER
29.5 X 40 INCHES 74.9 X 101.6 CM

born in vietnam, educated in the US, and now living in vietnam again her work is rooted in research - cartography, statistics, urbanization, memory, history, natural disasters, war, future predictions all enter the work in meaningful ways.

WHEAT PRICE PLOT: 1860-2000, 2012
EMBROIDERY ON CANVAS
27 X 56 INCHES 68.6 X 142.2 CM

after looking at more of her work online i am impressed by the multiple media she uses to communicate her messages and meanings. including embroidery [of course i am always interested in seeing how other artists approach a media so near and dear to my heart] but not in any way limited she uses washi tape, performances, installations - whatever she deems necessary to create her work.

D-CITY: WHERE SIDEWALK CAFES MEET THE STARS, FROM "ATOPIA: ART AND CITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY," CENTRO DE CULTURA CONTEMPORANIA DE BARCELONA, BARCELONA, SPAIN, 2010
PLEXI-GLASS, MDF, POLYSTYRENE, DECORATIVE TAPE, THERMOPLASTIC ADHESIVE

D-CITY: WHERE SIDEWALK CAFES MEET THE STARS, FROM "ATOPIA: ART AND CITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY," CENTRO DE CULTURA CONTEMPORANIA DE BARCELONA, BARCELONA, SPAIN, 2010
PLEXI-GLASS, MDF, POLYSTYRENE, DECORATIVE TAPE, THERMOPLASTIC ADHESIVE

she is interested in transformation - by the force of nature, by human intervention [perhaps meddling], by all aspects of life and living. how do our cities, waterways, landscapes and maps change? and thus how are our relationships to these places - places we call home - altered by these internal and external forces? how does reality butt up against our memory? how do we predict how our worlds will look and function in the future?

MIGRATION OF THE LADYBUGS, 2009
OIL AND ALCOHOL-BASED MARKERS ON PAPER
31 1/2 X 43 1/4 IN. (80 X 110 CM)

in terms of my own work, our interests overlap in many ways. above she charts the migration of ladybugs [my last show was all about migration]. i love how she uses data and then shows how things shift over time. her interest is global - she explores the ideas of shifting landscape and the results on inhabitants in locales from kuwait to califorina, cambodia to berlin... and beyond.

BERLIN WALL, TIFFANY CHUNG, 2010
EMBROIDERY, PAINTED METAL GROMMETS, AND BUTTONS ON CANVAS
33 X 44¼ IN. (84 X 112.5 CM)

i also am just completely drawn to her use of color. such amazing combinations - and textures. small marks next to embroidered ones. colors reminiscent of office supplies like highlighters [and thus loaded with their own meanings].  these are maps rooted in reality, but also full of made up or completely personal markings. flowers and misshaped polka dots instead of perfect grids and geometry.

THE PUSH BACK OF CAMBODIAN REFUGEES MEMORIAL PARK - PREAH VIHEAR, TIFFANY CHUNG, 2010
EMBROIDERY, 3D FABRIC PAINT, METAL GROMMETS, AND BUTTONS ON CANVAS
24 X 24 IN. (61 X 61 CM)

so if i had to choose one? [which is hard] i think i'd pick the above. the negative space - those two squiggly river lines - that row of small salmon/red/pink crosses. and the gromets. yeah. i'm in a mad mad crush with tiffany chung. i can't wait to see what she does next.

there's a great archive of a talk she did here

and i'd just like to take a moment to thank jan + earl of poppytalk for giving me the space to ramble about my art whims. i wish for them - and all of you - the best that life has to offer in 2013. may it be filled with great art discoveries... happy happy  new year. i look forward to watching my collection here grow even more in the coming year ! keep an eye on it on pinterest !

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9 IKEA Budget-Friendly Decor Updates for the New Year!

With the new year in mind I did a post over at Babble today offering up a few budget-friendly decor update ideas to freshen up one's space by visiting IKEA.  I'm thinking of popping over there before New Years to see what plants they have too - I'm really looking for an affordable fig tree or something similar (like the one above).  I also love the mini greenhouse idea filled with small plants and herbs for the kitchen.  Do you do something like that every year? Click HERE to see my post!

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Emerald Is Color Of 2013

It's official. Pantone has chosen Emerald as the color of 2013:

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum. As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

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Most Influential 2012 - Part 1

It's that time of year when we take a look back at the past year and have a little fun reminiscing, to see what made our hearts flutter and think about what was the most influential in the design/art/craft world. With so much inspiration, it was hard to pick just a few. Read back on past posts here from previous years, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).  It's always fun to see what will stay on and what will go. Here is part one of what should be a three or four part post.

Sheepskin
How amazing are all the sheepskins everywhere?  I'm loving the grey ones most (out of Scandinavia) - we don't see those as much here, but I can't get enough of them.  This one from Stil Inspiration.

Copper
Another "can't get enough of" this year - has been copper.  I really love it in lighting for a kitchen, my mother gave me some vintage canisters for Christmas this year and how about copper planters as Ashley of Sugar & Cloth posted as a DIY for us this past October. Above photo from Inside Out Magazine | Photography Armelle Habib.

DIY Fabric
This one has been going on for a few years, but it became really prominent this year –perhaps inspired by Danish company, by nord's cushions and bed linens.  I like seeing independant photographers and DIY versions - like the one above by Kimberly Blok on Society6.  Spoonflower has also opened up the doors to this offering indie makers the chance to create their own fabrics using their own photographs and art work.  Check out this DIY round-up where we featured one of my favorites by Mariah of Everything Golden.  We're loving the ones using black and white photos the best.

Hand Lettering + Typography
If you've been reading Poppytalk for a while, you'll maybe remember us talking about hand lettering and typography almost from the beginning. Featuring the likes of Ray Fenwick, Leigh Wells, Paula Scher, Kate Bingaman Burt, Will Bryant, the list goes on.  But this year more than ever - the hand lettered poster, quote poster, whatever you wish to call it has been super prominent.  Above a beautiful one by Emily McDowell.  Also check out my hand lettering and typography board on Pinterest. Heaps there too!

Cacti and Succulents
The cacti and succulent were pretty prominent this year –popping up on patios and in windows everywhere. These from  Serax maison d'être (loving the striped flower pots)!

Beautiful DIY Food Blog Styling
I've been so inspired with all the gorgeous styling I've been seeing of food this year on blogs.  Pinterest has certainly brought that to my attention, and it's always the chocolate on the dark backgrounds with red berries that gets me the most.  This one from Madame Gateau.

The DIY
No one can deny, the DIY has taken over the internet hasn't it? Everyone has their fingers in the pie from big chain stores featuring them on their blogs to the hobbyist wanting to share their latest project –DIYs have most definitely become part of our everyday in a big way.  (Above DIY round-up found here).  More links to DIYs we like, click here and here.

Faceted and Geometric Shapes
From magnets to jewelry, the faceted and/or geometric shaped objects were everywhere this year.  Loving these ceramic ones by Pigeon Toe which are are cast from hand-sculpted shapes and glazed in amazing hues.  Check out this one you can make yourself.
  

Stay tuned for Part 2!

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If I Were a Casting Director...

Sarah Polley as Bette Davis

Mia Kirshner as Debbie Reynolds

Anne Hathaway as Liza Minnelli

Calista Flockhart as Audrey Hepburn

Images: Pinterest.

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Woman Humor

In a dark and hazy room, peering into a crystal ball, the Mystic delivered grave news:

"There's no easy way to tell you this, so I'll just be blunt. Prepare yourself to be a widow. Your husband will die a violent and horrible death this year."

Visibly shaken, Laura stared at the woman's lined face, then at the single flickering candle, then down at her hands.

She took a few deep breaths to compose herself and to stop her mind racing. She simply had to know.

She met the Fortune Teller's gaze, steadied her voice and asked, "Will I be acquitted?"

For some reason, women tend to like this joke........

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Best of 2012 Interior Design Trends

Here's a quick survey for you on interior design trends, do you love or not.



Love It or Leave it?

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