 |
| 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:
Great concept, executed very well!
Very nice work - an original idea well done!
looks well crafted
What an awesome display. Just goes to show how the most simple things can be made beautiful.
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.
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!
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! :)
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!!
Good idea, I like the concept and the execution. I would like to see it in person.
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!!!!
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.
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.
Great job, very unique! How did you even think to do that?
The artwork is very interesting and is made really well!
very interestingly good
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
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
So unique and creative idea!
Great work and very creative! I'd be interested in learning the inspiration behind it.
I love Josh's creativity! Very talented!
love the idea of using utensils to create words through sign language. very unique......and visually appealing.
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!
Wow, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity, Josh! What an amazing gift you have!!
I always find it facinating when someone takes inannimate objects and gives them a living personality. This is impressive.
Very creative! Very well done!
Very interesting! Gives me the impression of a group of people gathered together and talking. Feels alive!
Wow, that is a really creative piece with items we use everyday! And great craftsmanship.
Very cool. Great job, Josh!
Such a creative mind! I admire those of us that have this talent, as I do not have this ability at all! Awesome display!
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.
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
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. :)
Post a Comment