The Sunday Paper #74

Paper of the Week: Pleated Abaca

I learned about manipulating wet paper from Jocelyn Chateauvert, who is the queen of this technique in my book (see her work below).

After you make and couch a sheet of paper, it is still quite fragile. But once you press it, it handles like a giant cooked pasta noodle. In other words, you can fold it, cut it, squeeze it, tear it, twist it – I think you get the idea. The sheets above are pleated – doubled back upon themselves and secured it in place with a second pressing (or brayering). Wet paper sticks to itself, no stitching necessary!

 ————————————————————————————————————––––––––––––

In the Studio:

I’m delighted that my newest artists’ book, 50 Revolutions, is finally ready to go into production. There are always so many details to work out during the design phase of a project! Thankfully, I love the challenge of getting what is in the mind out into the world. 

© Helen Hiebert, 50 Revolutions, abaca paper, tyvek, stone, wood, 6″ x 18″ x 18″ ed. of 35, $875, photo by Dan Kvitka

Here is a short video we made about 50 Revolutions.

 ————————————————————————————————————––––––––––––

Jocelyn Chateauvert made the sweetest earrings and pendant that I wore on my wedding day over 19 years ago. She’s working much larger these days making sculpture and installation and manipulating the paper in such interesting ways. Her work is on view at Jericho Inc. and Arts, Charleston, SC September 10- November 1, 2015.).

© Joecelyn Chateauvert, 2015, Opening, artist-made abaca paper, pigment, 5″h x 13″w x 9″d

Check out the clever paper (and hand) animation in this new Honda ad.

I love reading about paper exhibitions and discovering new artists. I hadn’t heard of most of the artists featured in the current exhibition at LA’s Craft and Folk Art Museum (September 27 through January 3).

Susan Sironi, In Our Image, 2014, Courtesy of Offramp Gallery, Pasadena

I was delighted to discover the work of Ben Durham recently. For this series, Durham pulled photos of his old classmates from an online database, then transformed those shots into large-scale, realistic drawings composed entirely of words associated with his memories of his subjects. The drawings are on sculptural artist-made paper. 

© Ben Durham, David (Menifee Ave / Owsley Ave), 2010
Graphite and pulp painting on handmade paper, 38 × 60 in

I wrote about the Paper Pattern Story a few weeks ago. Here’s a video about the project by Bhavna Mehta, who collected patterns and stories form the community as inspiration for a cut paper installation, titled “GUSH”, at the Oceanside Museum of Art.

————————————————————————————————————––––––––––––

If you enjoyed reading The Sunday Paper today, why not sign up to get it delivered to your in-box each and every Sunday? Click here to subscribe (it’s free), and you’ll receive my nifty pop-up alphabet template as a thank you gift! 

If you read this blog regularly, would you consider making a donation to support the research, writing, design and delivery of The Sunday Paper? Click on that cute paper button (I made that paper) to see how you can provide support.

And if you run a paper-related business, you might be interested in promoting your business in The Sunday Paper.

Thank you to those who have pledged your support, and enjoy your Sunday!