what’s hanging (part 4)
(hanging) Lorraine Tady, BTT-TAR (96B), 1999, charcoal, ink, acrylic on paper; (tabletop) Professor Otto Poertzel’s Carrara marble bust previously discussed here
Lorraine Tady may seem a bit shy or reserved in person, but her work is not. I am not very good about using words to describe why I love a work of art, but I will try. This piece for its small size is packed with rich energy. The details and use of structural elements, which I have dealt with while restoring the inside and outside of my little home, speak to me. It may seem chaotic, but there’s a plan, there are layers, it’s going to work and why not have fun while we’re at it.
In Tady’s own words: In my work mechanical-like systems are subjected to or are participants in an indirect and formal examination of structure; or a subverted diagrammatic, engineering process. Parts are extracted, analyzed, and re-translated, using both digital and analog tools. I propose questions in the investigation and set up specific games, parameters and rules to respond to in the work’s progression. The language of line propels the work, and I use it to help make visible the parts, and to find the answer to ‘what connects to this, how is this connected to that, etc.
I own two more pieces by Tady which I blogged about in a previous post. They were part of a larger group, but I could only afford the two. They were created in 1995 and have a different sensibility from the one shown above.
All three of Tady’s pieces were purchased through Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas, Texas. To find out more visit the gallery’s website and the artist’s website.
what’s blooming now
These coral bells were planted six weeks ago.
Heuchere villosa ‘Beaujolais’, commonly known as Coral Bells were chosen to replace the purple wandering jew that did not survive its first year in this location. Since the wandering jew did manage to come back this spring in a shadier portion of my garden, I can only guess that this small patch received too much sun. Additionally, I have chosen not to continue planting seasonal annuals. So the Coral Bells have been planted as perennials to replace the annuals and wandering jew.
my little collection of antique fans
Look but don’t touch. Well… that rule only applies to the carved ivory fan on the right. The ribbon threaded through the blades needs to be replaced before it can perform like it should.
One can never own too many hand fans. At least not here in Dallas. Perhaps you remember an earlier post of mine which showcased a few fans from my summer collection. I also have a winter collection which I will share with you at another time. I have found that unique, contemporary fans are hard to come by. Perhaps it’s because there isn’t much of a market for them. On the other hand, antique versions are plentiful online, so I’ve recently started collecting them. To see each one opened, click on the link below.
time for some pretty flower pictures
After today’s tragedy, a garden can offer escape and a little beauty.
Firewitch Dianthus borders my greenhouse and blooms profusely this time of year. Because of a string of dingy days over the past two weeks, the flowers had been too soggy to photograph. Consequently they were a wee past their prime when I was finally able to shoot them this past Saturday. If I deadhead them after this cycle is finished, they’ll bloom again in the fall, but it won’t be as abundant as this springtime show.
the last cold snap, the last fire
You can click on the photo for a much larger version.
One last hurrah before our sweltering summer. I have now used all of the Irish turf and the old firewood. And while allowing the embers to cool, I will enjoy the smell of their smoky goodness which tends to linger in all corners of my house for at least a week. The following photos will show you two of those corners.