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 would like to participate!!!
I would love to participate too!
I would love to see this in Seattle-- I can just imagine my kids rolling around in it!
Kristina
aiyakjt on Rav
This is a great idea!!! Please count me in. I would love to participate!
I have some handspun, natural color wool...just ready for this project!
Let me know...
Count me in!
I have been holding on to a variety of white yarns for a while, not knowing what I wanted to do with them. I think they may have found a purpose!
-Trinity
What a super fantastic idea!!! Count me in!!!
I'd love to contribute :D
Hi everyone,
I've added you all to my mailing list. Thanks for you participation! You'll hear more from me soon.
Shan
I would love to participate in this project if you're still accepting folks.
Sounds fun. I'd like to contribute a piece.
Sounds like a wonderful idea. Count me in please.
Count me in!
I would *love* to participate! Please sign me up!!!!
I would love to take part in this project please:)
I would love to join this project. I have some really cool ideas but some more brainstorming is in order. I'm loving this collaboration.
I'm Tiggzie on Ravelry. I'll be joining the group shortly.
I'd like to participate with some of my handspun yarn. Not sure what I'll do yet but it will probably be knit.
Hi! I'll add all of you to the mailing list. Welcome to The Milkweed Project. My goal is to get an email sent out by Feb. 2 with my mailing address, a submission form and more info.
Best! Shan
This sounds absolutely amazing. I'd love to sign up.
I can't wait to get started! I will PM you my e-mail address.
This sounds like so much fun! I even have family helping me brainstorm ideas.
I am interested in participating also, if you still have room.
I'm interested in participating. What a wonderful project!
Sign me up, please :)
This is a project that has inspired me to pick up my needles again....and I already have some wonderful white yarns with which to play! I would love to take part!
I would love to participate. Please email me the form to sign up.
Sounds amazing! Please sign me up!
What a neat idea! I'd love to participate.
Yep, I'm in :)
What a great idea. I'd love to contribute.
I'm interested in participating in the project. Send me the form when you can.
Regards from Argentina,
Débora
I would love to join in with this. My mind is firing up lots of ideas already :)
I would love to join. I knit, crochet, and spin.
I'm definitely on board with this. It warms my heart to support the arts and this sounds like a grand and creative idea.
I'd love to participate.
In.
Pittsburgh, PA
I would love tp participate and send in my contribution from the land of the Pharao's:-)
I would like to participate if you still have room. Have you heard of Crochetville? Thousands of crocheters there and I bet you would get a good response if you are still looking for contributions.
Would love to join in! My three children, age 5, 7 and 10) have been hassling me to do more knitting and crocheting with them, so this would be an ideal opportunity to get together and work on a project together.
Hello to everyone who added a comment in the past two days. I"ll add you to the mailing list and will email you more info. by Feb. 2.
Welcome!
TerryD,
Thanks for the Crochetville suggestion!
Sign me up! I've been hoping for something to pull me out of knitting slump, and this might just be the thing. Thanks!
I am SO in.
I would love to participate. Please include me.
Hi - can I join please or do you have enough people?
I can knit but prefer to crochet.
I'll go join the ravelry group.
:-)
I would love to be a part of this!
What is your real name, and with which university are you affiliated?
Hi everyone,
I'll add you to the list.
Kathryn,
My real name is Shan, full name Shan Bryan-Hanson and I teach at Silver Lake College in Wisconsin.
Best!
Shan
What an interesting project! I would like to participate.
I'd love to participate, thinking of an idea right now. I love milkweed, so light and soft and feeds such beautiful butterflies.
thanks for getting this all started. i'm planning to participate. t.
Please sign me up to participate.