'flora plastica…the next incarnation'

'flora plastica' (detail)   Barbara De Pirro

Re-installed into its secondary location, 'flora' takes on a different role, this time a magical gateway into the third level of TAM.

'flora plastica'    Barbara De Pirro

This site specific sculpture was created using over 2,000 recycled plastic bags. The bags were contributed by the local community, collected over the past several years. All of the bags were used in their raw state, no dyes or paints were applied, the color is the actual hue of the bag. Each bag was cut into 2 inch strips, creating a synthetic fiber that was then crocheted into the
 various plant and flower forms.

'flora plastica' (detail)    Barbara De Pirro

'flora plastica' was commissioned by Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Garden Club.

in the studio: 'flora plastica'

'flora plastica'         Barbara De Pirro

Since last November, I’ve been madly crocheting through mind-boggling mountains of brilliantly, colored plastic bags. Averaging about 6-8 hours a day, hundreds ...eeek nearly two thousand hours...crocheting through the same number of bags. My challenge was to transform this invasive, synthetic material into a floral extravaganza, titled ‘flora plastica’*.

This site-specific sculpture will initially be suspended within the Tacoma Art Museum's entry atrium in celebration of ‘Flora & Fine Art’. In the lobby for a month, then mid July it will be re-installed, settling into a new space also within the Museum.

'flora plastica' (in process)       Barbara De Pirro

I arrived at the museum with 4 five gallon containers packed full of the completed sculpture and 2 large 're-useable' bags stuffed with all finishing materials and tools. The museum was closed to the general public which allowed me the space to spill out onto the lobby floor.

'flora plastica' (in process)       Barbara De Pirro

Although the initial installation would be suspended 14 feet across the museums entry atrium, after 1 month, it would re-installed into a secondary spot....details to be determined. Keeping this in mind, I designed it in strands or individual components. This would allow it to take on various forms, adapting to different situations.

'flora plastica' (in process)       Barbara De Pirro

These individual strands were threaded onto 1/8" airplane cable, able to securely withstand its full weight. If you look closely you can see that between each strand I strung a 1/4" bead to help maintain spacing even after gravity had its time to play.

'flora plastica' (in process)       Barbara De Pirro

Centering the piece within the 14 foot span, each side was finished off with vine, leaves, pods and bee hives.

Special thanks to Museum Preparators

Cyrus Smith and Jeremy Mangan

It took all three of us to hoist it onto the lift

and four art 'Genies' to install !!

'flora plastica'       Barbara De Pirro

Special thanks to Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Garden Club

…and of course, all my friends & family for providing me with this plastic abundance and for all your fantastic support!

*'flora plastica' was commissioned by Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Garden Club.

'flora plastica' coming to Tacoma Art Museum

'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.

‘Circles'

'Artistic interpretations of this universal shape’

A group show of over 50 regional artists, curated by Charlotte Beall, hosted by ERA Living.

I will be showing a combination of both my paintings and sculptures.

June 13 – Oct. 16

University House Wallingford

4400 Stone Way North, Seattle

in the studio: roots & vines

.....taking inspiration from natures invasive ivy vines strangling and rooting into this grand old tree, I've recreated this in my recent sculptures and installations, both outside & in. 

'roots & vines: plastica'      Barbara De Pirro

2010 Carkeek Park, curated by CoCA Seattle

'roots & vines: plastica' (detail)       Barbara De Pirro

2010 Carkeek Park, curated by CoCA Seattle

'roots & vines: plastica'       Barbara De Pirro

Matzke Sculpture Park, Camano Island, WA

(Funding for 'roots &vines:plastica' was made possible by
 Artist Trust Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) and CoCA Seattle)

'roots & vines'      Barbara De Pirro

crocheted fiber encapsulated in acrylic, reinforced with steel and wood 

more images here

Spring on Camano

'pollinate' (detail)     Barbara De Pirro

(crocheted fiber, encapsulated in acrylic)

'conifer' (detail)       Barbara De Pirro

(crocheted fiber, encapsulated in acrylic, reinforced w/steel)

Then on beautiful Camano Island
at
Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park

I’m introducing two new sculptures, ‘conifer’ and ‘pollinate’,
crocheted fiber, encapsulated in acrylic.

May 6 - June 19

‘Play with Hot & Cold’

While you're there be sure to check out my 3 outdoor installations,'vine, flow & root plastica'. *

more images here

MATZKE FINE ART GALLERY AND SCULPTURE PARK
2345 Blanche Way, Camano Island, Wa.

http://www.matzkefineart.com/

Open weekends 11am-5pm,

weekdays by appointment 360-387-2759

* Funding for 'vine, flow & root plastica' was made possible by Artist Trust Grants for Artist Projects (GAP).

Art Auction at Matzke Fine Art Gallery

'sprig'      Barbara De Pirro

(acrylic on wood)

The 2nd Annual Live

ART AUCTION FOR THE ARTISTS

Invitational

April 23rd, 2011 (saturday) PARTY starting at 4:00. Seventy five pieces of fine art (all mediums) will be auctioned. A $ 20. per person registration fee auction night. The Auction starts promptly at 6pm. Preview the art work April 16th,17th and 23rd, 11 to 5pm

Matzke Fine Art Gallery

2345 Blanche Way,

Camano Island, WA

360-387-1239 or 360-387-2759

http://www.matzkefineart.com/

While you're there be sure & check out the sculpture park!