"I begin with an idea ... and then it becomes something else"
~ Picasso

Saturday 17 April 2010

Erosion Bundle Project - Bundle 4

Erosion bundle project - buried bundle
Project started - 1st January 2010
Opening of bundle - 15th April 2010
Finished project - 1st August 2010

This bundle was completely buried, but gradually worked it's way to the surface over time and was very slightly sticking out of the earth. I was expecting the most insect life from this bundle but it was not as bad as I thought it would be with just a few wood lice and a yellow slug thing ugh!













The bundle was wrapped in calico which took some of the dyes ... orange, yellow, brown, pink with patterns from black mould spots. I've washed the calico and the colours have stayed














Inside, the bundle was wet through and very soggy. The papers had massed together and it was very difficult to separate the layers. I managed to carefully ease a couple of layers apart with a knife and then had to allow them to dry off before I could do any more. Deep inside, I noticed minutest white insects (albino) which scuttled off to find dark corners when disturbed - no pictures of them yuk!














I am pleased I managed to salvage this piece. I'd placed a branch of dried berries between layers of painted papers which, when removed, left great umbel shaped indentations and black colouring whch looks good against the red






















The berries themselves were soggy and mouldy and had to be discarded, but the papers are wonderful!






















Detail of indentation on the textured papers






















The buried parcel experienced the most disintegration. I added less fabric to this bundle and the remaining papers and tin foils were fragile and broke off too easily. I was left with only a few pieces to work with































I'm planning to make an art journal of my experiments in the Erosion Bundle Project and, time permitting, possibly a three dimensional piece. This element of it will be inspired by the black umbel shapes and I'm planning to develop this theme a little further. The final project needs to be completed by 1st August 2010 for a show and tell

14 comments:

TanyaMac said...

wow the colours in this one are great!!!

Chris Gray said...

What lovely colours and surfaces!

You'll have happy times playing with that lot!

x Chris

Lisa Boni said...

Fascinating to see the results of this ! Can't wait to see what you create!

gerfiles said...

Ha, a lot of beauty you reaped there... - you could make an exhibition just of these photos...

Monica said...

Carolyn, you definitely inspired me to try this too! It looks amazing, can't wait to see what you're going to create!
Thinking of you often,
Monicaxo.

BadPenny said...

WOW ! FABULOUS !!!! can't wait to see what you do with it all xx

Julie said...

Wow, Carolyn you have got some wonderful results with all your bundles, much better than I achieved last year. Well done! You really chose your contents well and you've got some wonderful colours and marks, you will have a great time journalling with these. The umbel shaped indentation against the red colouring looks great and you have got some gorgeous rusted effects too. I never did get round to setting up my own bundles this time so I am very jealous :o) xx

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

What a wonderful post! Interesting and beautiful, too! Thanks for documenting and sharing your project.

A bird in the hand said...

All your bundles are magnificent!
Well done!!

Colette xo

Deborah said...

I love the results you got from all of your bundles, particularly the rust! Are you planning to combine all of them into one project?

JP said...

such an interesting lot of photos

liniecat said...

fab, fab, fab..........Im doing a Killed Catalogue, ala Maggie Grey but its much the same notion and a great sue of old catalogues. Will def try your Erosion Bundle this coming summer into autumn.
Just a thought, but I often place small items, like seaweed, driftwood etc (in plastic bags!) in the freezer and a good 24 hrs in there kills off anything alive, so that might be an idea to at least be sure the livestock is sorted!

Sarah Payne said...

The fruit stains are awesome! I never thought of adding something so organic to my bundle - but I will next time!

Anonymous said...

Really amazing work, im very interesting in practicing similar techniques in my studies, really interested in the final project. Did you get it all finished by August 1st and in three dimensions?
Hope it all went well. Erin