CYBER FYBER was a tremendous success. I've decided to mount CYBER FYBER 2! The exhibition is scheduled from January 7 - 19, 2010 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios.
IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME!
There is no possible way that I could force myself to do the same thing. CYBER FYBER 2 must be an evolution of the ideas, connections, and concepts from this year. It will still focus on the supportive, global community of fiber artist using the Internet for inspiration and conectivity. I would like the main gallery to feature an international juried exhibit. To this end, I'm already seeking sponsors for significant awards and will be learning about securing quality jurors. I would like to include fiber postcards too....but not traded ones. I would also like to create an installation.
Below are some of my thoughts. I've written this as an email to a close cyber friend and am now sharing these ideas. I want feedback.....ideas, suggestions, new concepts, and comments....basically BRAINSTORMING!
From my recent email:
The main gallery during CYBER FYBER was devoted to the work of the invitational artists. As you know, I selected artists who represented a unique benefit to the Internet world of fiber arts. This was great. The signage included all the reasons for each person's inclusion. I think everyone who walked through the gallery "got it". Next year, however, I'd like the main gallery to evolve into a juried exhibit....the "best of the best" sort of thing. Having submitted for such exhibits, I'm familiar with how this should operate. I'm also aware that in order to attract truly high quality artists, I need substantial prizes and really qualified jurors. This will take MONEY. I'm thinking $1500 for first place; $1000 for second; and $500 for third. There will have to be a few $100 honorable mentions. I'm not sure how much jurors cost but I'm hoping $500 each....for 2 jurors.
Unlike the Pfaff Embroidery challenge that always has a theme, this would not have a theme. The only requirements would be: mostly fiber and each artist would have to have an Internet presence....a blog, website, Flickr!, Stitchin Fingers, active profile, etc....somewhere the public can leave a comment for each artists. Afterall, CYBER FYBER and CYBER FYBER 2 are about the Internet connected community. Each person has to be a "member" of this on-line, supportive, global network. I know that juried shows like this are a bit elitist. I know this means that some people will pay an entry fee and recieve a rejection. I know this because I've opened plenty of rejections myself!
I also know that the fiber postcards were undoubtedly the most popular part of CYBER FYBER for those in the supportive, online community. I know that CYBER FYBER 2 will have to have postcards. But, I'm not about to make hundreds of postcards again this year. For me, that part has to be over! Right now I've got this enormous collection. I hope to donate it for some good purpose but in the meantime I don't need to be adding to this collection! Personally, it was fun making the first round of postcards...but I don't find it fun anymore.
What do you think of this idea: Fiber artists who want to be involved in CYBER FYBER 2 simply send a postcard. They temporarily become my personal property. Each postcard must be from someone in the cyber community. Each one will be hung in the gallery. There will be another on-line PEOPLE'S CHOICE award. There will be another BEST OF SHOW jurying. However, I want to partner with a museum....a GOOD museum....high profile place that already has a connection with fibers. This museum would end up with the postcards.....accepting at least 20 into the permanent collection. The remainder could be sold in their gift shop, used in some sort of charity event, etc.
Do you think that stitchers would participate? I just don't know if people were more interested in trading with me personally, being part of an exhibit, or what. Do you think people would send great postcards just to be in a gallery exhibition, an on-line exhibition, and with the possibility of getting their postcard into a museum.....or do you think they really want something in exchange?
I think the ATCs will evolve into a second International Random trade....but not be part of the exhibition or the on-line exhibition.
I also think that I'd like Maggie Grey's concept to evolve into an installation. Maggie Grey asked the world for comments on her blog and then used the text to create the works she made for CYBER FYBER. I'd like to suggest that fiber artists send me scraps and threads as a gesture of our common stitches and sense of community. I would document whatever I receive and promise to use all the materials in the creation of an installation. The scraps and threads would have to be all fiber but could include any writing, message, stitch about the Internet connected community and/or indications of that part of the physical world from which the material came. The installation's working title could be "Stitched Earth" or "Global Threads" or "The World Wide Web in Thread" or some such thing that addresses both the Internet community and fiber all at once....an evolution of the original concepts....and something totally new and wonderful for me to do!
Well....there it is....my brainstorming. Let me know what you think.
