Surface Design Article

Mixing Invasive Media to Create Environmental Awareness

How many times had I stopped to examine this grand old tree with its gnarled and ruptured bark?

I was in awe of its unsettling beauty, utterly engulfed in a web of invasive ivy, with a strangle hold so deeply rooted into the surface; the tree bulged from underneath the vine’s unrelenting grip.

The spark. This is where it began.

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Many thanks to Surface Design Association!

Botanica

Fraker/Scott Gallery

121 Prefontaine Pl S.

Seattle, WA

206/883-4633

November 3 - December 31

Opening for Seattle's Pioneer Square Art Walk

Thursday, November 3, 5-8 PM

Artist Presentation and Holiday Reception

Saturday November 19, 5-7 PM

More details HERE

'pollinate' (detail)    Barbara De Pirro

'conifer' (detail)    Barbara De Pirro

Intertwined, Requiem for the Trees

The Harbor History Museum is hosting an exhibit that explores the human connection to trees.

Outreach to the arts community was initiated by Pat Lantz, WA State Parks Commissioner, in response to the pending removal of trees in Kopachuck Park.

Artists were called to bear witness and memorialize the magnificence of trees.

The exhibit runs from
October 1-16, 2011
in the lobby of the Harbor History Museum.

More images & information HERE

'roots & vines'   Barbara De Pirro

'forest weavings' on Camano Island

'forest weavings'      Barbara De Pirro

My outdoor series of installations ‘forest weavings’ utilize invasive plant species, such as ivy vine.  Removing it from the forest, I weave it into nests, a symbol of shelter and protection.  Once each sculpture is dried, they are then tucked safely back into the trees.  My intent is to raise awareness to the fact that invasive, plant species have contributed to a huge decline in the diversity of our indigenous plants, endangering our native species.

'forest weavings'      Barbara De Pirro

'forest weavings'      Barbara De Pirro

On view now at,

Matzke Gallery & Sculpture Park
2345 Blanche Way
Camano Island, WA
360.387.2759

'forest weavings'      Barbara De Pirro

This piece was also created with invasive plant species (ivy vines, scotch broom), waste wood (tree pruning’s) woven into reclaimed plastic shellfish mesh.

More information HERE
More images HERE

'forest weavings' at Carkeek Park

Trees whipped and tattered from the winter storms

leaving behind branches, lying broken, seemingly forgotten,

a woody web on the forest floor.

A warm air breezes in, a breath of new life

reaching for the sky, the fallen twigs collectively gather,

like a loom weaving in the wind,

rhythmic patterns form an interlocking mesh,

gently wrapping its protective shawl,

around and between the trees.

art playfully dances with nature.

I've been exploring art created with invasive plant species (ivy vines, scotch broom) as well as, waste wood (apple tree pruning’s, broken branches)

My alternative to burning! 

All of this is woven into scraps of reclaimed plastic shellfish mesh that washes up on my beach.

On exhibit now at Carkeek Park, Seattle, WA

'Heaven and Earth 3'

Curated by CoCA Seattle.

July 9 - October 10

For more information & a printable map,

HERE

'forest weavings' was funded in part by CoCA Seattle.

Special thanks to Antonia De Pirro, Ashlynn Hamlin, Beth De Pirro & Marilyn Innes.

'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.