The Milkweed Project--Info. and Guidelines
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 8:01AM Wanted: Knitters and crocheters. Scroll down to find out how to participate.
What is The Milkweed Project?
The Milkweed Project is a collaborative art project that will culminate in a giant art installation that will create, for visitors, the feeling of being inside a Milkweed Pod (as I imagine it to be). Knit and crochet works by different artists will be hung, draped, connected, etc. to create a gallery full of thousands of soft, white stitches for visitors to walk through.
The artwork will be made of knit, spun and crochet pieces created by fiber artists and crafters from all over the world.
Who can participate?
Anyone who likes to spin, knit or crochet.
What materials can I use?
Any kind of yarn or soft white or slightly off-white fiber. It is important that this piece be created in whites (of which there is wonderful variety). No color, please.
What if I don't consider myself an artist?
I think we are all artists in various ways. Jump into the milkweed pod.
I am a novice at knitting or crocheting.
So am I. All skill levels are welcome. You can simply cast on, knit a long row of stitches and cast off, or you can create an intricate lace-like bit of knitting genius and anything in between.
What size should my piece be?
That is up to you. We will need many long pieces to make the installation work. Long and narrow is preferred over short and wide. It will be helpful to have pieces that are at least three feet long but I will make any size piece fit into the finished installation.
Length: There is no limit on length. The longer, the better.
Width: Pieces can be as thin as an inch or two and as wide as 10" or 20". I request that anything wider than this be created in a airy technique.
What if I have a brilliant, creative idea that doesn't fit those guidelines?
Run it by me. For instance, I'd love to have someone knit or crochet a hammock or hammock-like chair that we can hang from the ceiling so visitors can sit in the milkweed pod.
How will people know who participates in the project?
I plan to list the names and location of all particpants in the installation--possibly on the wall and definitely inside some kind of take-away brochure.
Also, I will post photos of each contribution on this blog and on Flickr as they are mailed to me. I'd love to post a brief bio. (three - five sentences of whatever you want to say about yourself) with each post and a link to your blog or website if you have one. I also plan to create a Flickr group so you can post your own photos of finished pieces and works in progress.
You can also sign your work. Please do so in a subtle way that sticks to the white and off-white palette (you can also use soft, light grays or tans for the signature, as long as it is small and subtle). No black markers, please. One thing you might consider is sewing a soft tag with your name and location on it onto your piece.
Can I be anonymous?
Sure, but I would like to list your location in the installation.
Why a milkweed pod?
This project explores connection: between humans all over the world, between humans and nature and between small things and large. By taking thousands of tiny stitches and making something huge, we are doing something that can't be done by one person alone, thus emphasizing our connection to each other.
The project also explores our interdependence with nature. Milkweed pods are a small but important part of the ecosystem. They spread because of the light nature of their seeds, which are carried by the wind. By using the internet as the wind, and each participant as a new plant, this project attempts to mimic that process.
And, milkweed pods are simply beautiful, as is white on white and fiber craft. I think the potential for a beautiful installation is great.
What qualifies you to direct this project?
I'm a college art professor by profession with an M.F.A. in art. In the past, I've worked as a curator at a small museum so I know how to put together an exhibit, contact possible exhibition venues and put together the necessary marketing materials needed to publicize the exhibit.
Where will The Milkweed Project be exhibited?
In multiple locations, I hope! Once I see that the project is going to fly and I have some contributions coming in I will begin to contact not-for-profit art centers and galleries. Many galleries and museums plan exhibition schedules several years out so this will be a long-term project. All good things are worth the wait!
If you have any locations near you that you think would be perfect, let me know. The nature of this project is extremely organic. I have a vision for it but also want it to evolve through the process.
Will my piece be returned to me?
I cannot guarantee it, but will do my best. If you'd like your piece returned please send a self-addressed stamped envelope or flat box with enough postage for the weight of your piece. I'd also highly recommend taping a photo of your piece to the envelope. Remember, if the installation travels, I may need your piece for a few years.
As times are very tough right now, I'd like to figure out a way to use this piece to raise money for a charity of some sort (suggestions welcome). This may entail auctioning or selling pieces of the pod. I will provide an option to donate or not in the PDF form I email you (see below).
Who pays shipping costs?
At this time, I have not pursued any funding for this project. I want to see whether or not it takes off first. I ask that you pay for the shipping when you send your work to me as well as the costs of the return of the work to you. This is common practice.
I will pay all other shipping costs (for example, if the installation travels to multiple venues).
I have a question you haven't addressed here.
Please ask it in by posting a comment at the bottom of this post. This way others will benefit.
I'm interested. How do I sign up?
You can leave comment at the bottom of this post telling me you're interested. When you leave a comment you are asked for your email address. Please fill it in. It is only visible to me. If you'd rather not do that, you can use the "Send me a note" link in the sidebar to email me.
As soon as I can get to it, I will email all participants a participation form to fill out. It will include my mailing address and other info.
How can I help make this project a success?
For the installation to work we need lots of participants! If you have a blog, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, etc. space, please consider spreading the word via a post and/or link. I'd be very grateful for this help.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and considering participation in the project. I'll leave you with a few samples I've started working on as my contributions to The Milkweed Project:
This one is made of soft cotton. I bought a cone of Peaches-n-Cream and will go until the cone is gone. It has two rows of cables.
This one is a scribbling technique I read about in Mason-Dixon Knitting. I'm using strips of white fabric and crochet thread.
So you see, anything goes!
Best! Shan
Shan
Update:
1. Deadlines: The final deadline for this project will be December 1, 2009. However, I would love to have some contributions by May 2009 so I can start putting together info. packets about the project.I apologize for not having this info. up sooner.
2. I will also start a Milkweed Project Flickr group (where you can share photos of your pieces, both in process and finished) and a Ravelry group, which a number of people have requested,by the end of this week.
3. To thank you for your participation in this project, I plan to do several give-aways over the course of the project and will randomly draw names from the pool of participants. The first give-awaywill be a drawing for one of my paintings, which I will announce soon. Keep watch!
Shan
Two updates:
1. I know the list is getting long but I'm still taking participants. I will cap it at some point but, until then, feel free to keep signing up. My work week is about to get underway so I may not get to comments and emails as quickly. Know that if you make a comment in one of these two posts or send me an email it will be read and you will be added to the mailing list.
2. We have started a Milkweed Project group at Ravelry. It's called The Pod. Ravelry is a community for anyone who knits and crochets. It is free to join but takes a few days to get an invite once you submit your email address. Ravelry is a wonderland for anyone who loves fiber.
Reader Comments (298)
i am definately interested. i will also post at my blog and facebook. look forward to more info soon! sarah
I would love to participate.
Shana - At first I wasn't for sure what your idea was going to be and even though I now know what it is - I'M IN!
I will also spread the word through my blog. You have the wheels turning in my head with ideas for my part of this project. I think it will be exciting to follow as well.
GOOD LUCK!
Thistle downs, Jane and Terri,
Thanks so much for kick-starting the process and spreading the word. Hopefully, many more will jump in and help us create a beautiful art installation. I look forward to seeing your creations.
Shan
What a lovely, lovely idea! I will definitely send you something. I've actually been knitting a bathmat from my husbands torn-up old t-shirts, but that t-shirt "yarn" is so soft. Might work well inside a milkweed pod.
Heather--
T-shirt yarn would be perfect. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Shan
I will contribute!
Excellent. Thanks, Kyndale!
Sounds wonderful! I recently {re}learned how to knit, so this is perfect timing.
I would love to do this :) and i know my knitting circle would too.
Becca
I would love to participate in this project. What's your timeframe for getting pieces to you?
This looks wonderful. It ties in so nice to my interests of Arts and nature. Milkweeds are abundant where I live and frequent our lives in different ways. I look forward to finding some downy soft white to create with. Very cool idea. I will share with others. Anything that links us back to Nature is so important these days. Carol
Can't wait to plan something, how wondrful to be part of something so creative.
I'm in. Just last week, my 5yo son and I noticed that most of the wool things I buy secondhand are white or off-white. And my yarn collection seems to be that, too. I have a few in mind that are so soft. And I love love love milkweed all through the year. Thank you!
Count me in!
Tracee,
Fantastic. How fun it must have been to relearn to knit. I bet your stitch memory returned quickly.
Becca,
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing the project with your knitting circle. It would be lovely to see the different creations that come out of one circle of knitters.
Mike,
I need to add a deadline to my info. Sorry about that. I am going to email everyone who has agreed to participate a submission form in the next couple of weeks. I'd love to start getting pieces in by April or May so I can start pitching the project to galleries this summer. Thanks for your interest!
Carol,
I couldn't agree more with your comments about our relationship to nature. Thanks so much for participating!
Trish,
I can't wait to see something wonderful. I'm glad you're part of the project.
Rebecca,
I, too, love milkweed. Does your home palette have a lot of white? Thanks so much for participating!
Kymm,
Excellent. Can't wait to see what you create!
I would love to be part of this. Looking forward to hearing from you.
This is awesome! Count me in. Can't wait to go looking for beautiful white yarn!
I'd like to participate!
Mmm, this sounds lovely! I'll also be sure to post about it on my blog and my collective blog (homesteading: www.bythelakes.blogspot.com)... count me in!
I'd love to know more - coming from Scotland, I'm not sure I know what a milkweed pod is but your words evoke something soft, delicate and white - it sounds lovely, would be interested to join in
Victoria,
Thanks for your paticipation. I look forward to seeing your contribution!
Monique,
I'm glad you're in. I love searching for yarn. There is so much beautiful yarn available.
Meg,
Thanks so much for participating! Can't wait to see what you do.
Molly,
Thanks for pariticipating and sharing the project on your blogs!
Hilary,
Thanks so much for your interest. I'm hoping to get international particpation. The milkweed pod is a wild plant that butterflies love. There is lovely white fluff (hmm, I need to get the scientific name) attached to the seeds in the pod. When the pod ages and opens the seeds float away and plant themselves in new locations. The photos on this page are of some dried pods I keep in my studio.
I'll post some links to info. about the plants on this blog.
Anything made of white, soft fiber would be a perfect contribution. The piece itself will be rather abstract and visitors will be able to walk through it. The milkweed pod is the inspiration.
I would LOVE to help! I have some white yarn waiting to be called on!
I have wanted to begin knitting for a while now and this gives me just the reason. It sounds fascinating. Thanks for the opportunity.
Anne,
I can't wait to see your yarn and what you create with it.
Terri,
I'm glad you're going to start knitting and participate in this project. Thanks!
I'm in. I've just started a piece of crochet work that I can make really long and leave it at the current width. I'll work until it seems "long enough"!
Let me know where and when to send it.
Charlotte
I would love to crochet a piece for this project. We have tons of milkweed behind our house and from it we always have a hundreds of Monarch butterflies(it is actually the catepillar stage that loves milkweed).
i would love to add something to this project. love the idea and i have an idea about knitting etc.
I would LOVE to participate! I will post on my blog as well as email to friends; I have many many friends who enjoy to knit and crochet.
Charlotte,
Thanks for contributing your latest crochet work! I will email you the deadline info. soon.
Tiff--Thanks for the caterpillar info. Your yard sounds beautiful! I'm glad you're joining us.
Daniela,
I look forward to seeing the product of your idea! Thanks for joining us.
Sonrie,
Thanks for participating and sharing the project on your blog and with friends. I really appreciate your helping spread the word!
Shan
I would like to participate. I would love to invent something white using recycled yarns.
Sushipie,
Wonderful! I love that you used the word invent. Can't wait to see your contribution.
I would like to contribute. I just cut back the milkweed which grows alongside our house yesterday. My son had a great time blowing the seeds away.
I can only do basic knitting, but this sounds like something I could definitely handle. I have some beautiful soft-white organic yarn just waiting for this project, so it seems! Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of something so artistic and inspiring. tt
I would love to join in!!!
Sure! I am a artist / knitter who would be happy to help.
I would love to knit something! I bought some yarn yesterday. I'll spread the word, too! :)
I would like to participate! Sounds cool.
I´m in! What a fantastic idea! Hope you will make it to the Netherlands with this - try the boijmans van beuningen museum:
http://www.boijmans.rotterdam.nl/en/
Keep believing in the project and it will happen!!!
warm regards,
Sam
Jenn,
Thanks for participating. I love watching the seeds blow in the wind. They are so delicate and graceful.
Tara,
Thanks for sharing your knitting time and yarn with the project. Glad you are joining us.
Katy,
We'd love to have you participate. Thanks!
Sarah,
Can't wait to see what you create. What kind of art do you make?
Kit,
Thanks so much for contributing and helping spread the word.
Sharon,
Thanks for participating. I can't wait to see your creation.
Best! Shan
Sam,
I would love to make it to the Netherlands with this! Thanks for the link and your contribution to the project. I look forward to seeing your creation.
Shan
I am in. Knitting to begin shortly.
Oh this sounds like an awesome idea! I'd be thrilled to be a part of this!
I would love to participate. I am looking forward to coming up with an idea.
Sounds really interesting! Sign me up!
I would love more info about this project.
Jan
I'd like to participate, too.
I would love to participate in this. Do you care what TYPE of yarn? Or any as long as it is whitish...?
I'd be happy to participate.