The Mysterious Content of Softness

February 4 - June 26, 2011

"... awe-inspiring." -- Joey Veltkamp, best of

"A boundary-breaking show." -- Rosemary Ponnekanti, The News Tribune

"... striking for its lack of delicacy." -- Adrianna Grant, Visual Art Source

Bringing together 11 national and international artists, The Mysterious Content of Softness is an exploration of the transformative power of fiber and its connection to the human body. Fiber techniques such as knitting, loom-weaving and crochet have long helped us to fashion personal identity, whether through the clothing we wear or our cultural traditions. In fact, the very nature of fiber – sometimes soft and flexible, while at other times rough and rigid – carries with it a unique metaphor for what it means to be human. It is these mysteriously soft, yet enduring qualities – the ability to adapt and shape – which gives fiber its immense potential for addressing who we are and for capturing the open-ended fluidity of life. The exhibition's title is inspired by Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz, whose enormous fiber sculptures made her one of the most celebrated artists of our time.

Featured artists include: Diem Chau, Lauren DiCioccio, Angela Ellsworth, James Gobel, Angela Hennessy, Rock Hushka, Lisa Kellner, Miller & Shellabarger, Lacey Jane Roberts, Jeremy Sanders and Nathan Vincent.

 

Did you miss the exhibit at BAM? We are very excited to announce that The Mysterious Content of Softness will be on view at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida from September 15 - December 30, 2012.

 

 

Learn more about local artist Diem Chau on Seattle Channel's Art Zone with Nancy Guppy [Feb 18, 2011]