'flora plastica' photo abstraction Barbara De Pirro
Since last November, I’ve been madly crocheting through mind-boggling mountains of brilliantly, colored plastic bags. My challenge has been to transform this invasive, synthetic material into a floral extravaganza, titled, ‘flora plastica’*.
This site-specific sculpture will initially be suspended above the museums lobby in celebration of ‘Flora & Fine Art’. Then come July it will be re-installed, settling into a new space within the Museum.
*Funding for 'flora plastica' was made possible in part by Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Garden Club.
Special thanks to all my friends & family for providing me with this plastic abundance and for all your fantastic support!
Flora & Fine Arts
June 10–12
Artwork from Tacoma Art Museum’s permanent collection serves as inspiration for floral arrangements created by local designers in Flora & Fine Arts on June 11 and 12. This special, one-weekend-only exhibition showcases nearly three dozen floral designs exhibited with the iconic works of Northwest art that sparked the floral artists.
In partnership with Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Garden Club invited prominent Puget Sound designers and members of the Garden Club to create dazzling floral arrangements inspired by the colors, textures, and compositions of the art.
“Showcasing art in a new and exciting ways while showcasing local, talented designers is an opportunity for the museum to connect people through art in unexpected ways,” said Stephanie A. Stebich, Director of Tacoma Art Museum. “Flora & Fine Arts is a wonderful example of how art can inspire us in unexpected ways.”
This exhibition has been inspired by similar events at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the de Young Museum in San Francisco, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
The exhibition will also include a site-specific installation titled 'Flora Plastica' * by Barbara De Pirro created from an array of brilliantly colored, recycled, plastic shopping bags.
Flora and Fine Arts also includes a special exhibition preview on Friday, June 10, as well as the Spring into Summer Garden Festival on Saturday, June 11. This family festival will feature workshops, hands-on art-making activities, and lectures by notable garden experts Ed Hume and Valarie Easton.
Flora and Fine Arts also includes a special exhibition preview on Friday, June 10, as well as the Spring into Summer Garden Festival on Saturday, June 11. This family festival will feature workshops, hands-on art-making activities, and lectures by notable garden experts Ed Hume and Valarie Easton.
