May 25, 2011

Sign Language in Silver by Josh Holmes

The Collection

Josh Holmes created this collection of five forks bent into hand positions: Pointing Index Finger, Peace, Closed Fist, I Love You sign, and Thumbs Up. As part of his Modern Art class final  he needed to find a gallery to display this collection and then ask for feedback from those who observe his work. You can click here to see his collection in more detail or stop by The Gallery @ Common Grounds in the Living Word Coffee Bar to see his work in person. You can find it in the gallery display cabinet just inside the Coffee Bar entrance.

He'd appreciate your feedback, so please click "comments" below and share your thoughts about his installation. Note: all comments will be moderated so you won't see your comment right away.

Thank you so much for participating in Josh's Modern Art final.

grace & peace,
deAnn

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great concept, executed very well!

Anonymous said...

Very nice work - an original idea well done!

Anonymous said...

looks well crafted

Anonymous said...

What an awesome display. Just goes to show how the most simple things can be made beautiful.

Michelle said...

Creative idea. I'm wondering what the artists' thoughts are behind using eating utensils to "speak" to the viewer. Was he expressing something about the conversational/communal activity of eating? Was he intentional about the style of forks used? Is there a story behind those particular pieces of cutlery? When we look at a full dinner plate, we use our forks to select pieces of food to bring to our mouths. That process reminds me a bit of pinning down the right words to say... In contemporary art, the concept is often just as important (if not more so) than the physical piece. I'd be interested to hear this artists' interpretation of his work.

Anonymous said...

creatively done - it was really neat to see a common place item, such as silverware,formed in a way that it tells a story and leaves a permanent impression. Blessings on you and your art!

Joshua said...

In response to Michelle's inquiry, you are right. Concept is huge in Contemporary Art. My idea was not so much intended to focus on the aspect of the utensil's normal purpose as it was to focus on "the familiar" in general, a common focus in contemporary art. While I'm glad you interpreted your own story in the display, my story does not deal with the dinner table. I actually wanted to use the forks out of context for open consideration. These hand signs are universal, even encouraging to many, but the unusual material used to form them made the display unique, I believe. I did use different styles of forks not only to be cost affective, but to add variety to the appearance. So, in short, a focus on "the familiar" and an attempt at conveying encouraging hand signs in a different fashion was my goal. Thanks for your interest! :)

rwh1127 said...

A great concept, well developed, and unusual but skillfully crafted. It certainly highlights the various forms of sign language in a unique way. I am sure it took a lot of thought and some brain and muscle power to craft the designs. Little needs to be added to the meaning of each piece, for it speaks volumes with a simple but profound expression of contempory art. Well Done!!

Anonymous said...

Good idea, I like the concept and the execution. I would like to see it in person.

Lana said...

I think they are awesome!!! Sign language is something I have always wanted to learn more of and have taken some classes but still have lots to learn. Great job Joshua!!!!

Boju825 said...

Another great Joshua Holmes interpretation of life using his extraordinary gifts. Love the use of fork fingers to convey the silent messages of sign language. Congrats on a great display and awesome use of mundane items to provoke thought and conversation.

LWCC Messenger said...

Josh did a nice job of creating the bends without leaving tool markings on the pieces. Very creative thought. Our normal thought process is to make forks conform to a pattern, everyone alike, in these they speak silently, each taking on in a way it's own personality and thought.

Anonymous said...

Great job, very unique! How did you even think to do that?

Anonymous said...

The artwork is very interesting and is made really well!

Kyle Walker said...

very interestingly good

Anthony said...

Its a creative idea to start. With the way you shaped the forks to look like real human hands doing sign language was excellent. It has the look i think you wanted to achieve its unique and strange in a good way. You also have good craftsmanship done with i as well

Anonymous said...

This is a very interesting concept. The forks are bent cleanly and it's clear what they are supposed to be. Think this is really cool :D

Anonymous said...

So unique and creative idea!

Anonymous said...

Great work and very creative! I'd be interested in learning the inspiration behind it.

Anonymous said...

I love Josh's creativity! Very talented!

Cathy said...

love the idea of using utensils to create words through sign language. very unique......and visually appealing.

Anonymous said...

Josh- it is a very unique concept! I think it is great that you can create original artwork with everyday material. Maybe I'll try it one of these days!:) Nice work!

Jan said...

Wow, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity, Josh! What an amazing gift you have!!

Anonymous said...

I always find it facinating when someone takes inannimate objects and gives them a living personality. This is impressive.

Anonymous said...

Very creative! Very well done!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting! Gives me the impression of a group of people gathered together and talking. Feels alive!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is a really creative piece with items we use everyday! And great craftsmanship.

Anonymous said...

Very cool. Great job, Josh!

Mary Beth said...

Such a creative mind! I admire those of us that have this talent, as I do not have this ability at all! Awesome display!

Aaron S. said...

I really like how the metal plays against the fabric. I find myself wanting to sort of reach in and further bend the forks. The piece also photographs nicely.

Russell said...

It's very awesome, I like what you did Josh,I want to know if you got caught taking the forks from mom and how long you had to stare at those forks before you saw what they were going to look like

Joshua said...

To Russell: These forks are complements of the dollar store :) And considering I had four prongs to work with, and 5 fingers to represent, I looked at them long enough to decide which prongs to best merge together, which differed from piece to piece. Thanks for your interest. In regards to other questios about inspiration: I conversed with someone about silverware collecting, and almost immediately, the idea to incorporate silverware into hand signs popped into my head. It really was a creative spur of the moment thing that inevitably required further conceptualizing. :)