The Project
November 7, 2011
Dear Family,
For many years now, I have wanted to create a piece of art for The Zantingh Family and in particular, Jenny, Krista & Johanna — a sort of tribute to their lives. My hope is that this artwork can be an encouragement and celebratory gift to Johanna.
In my studio class at Concordia, I am exploring something called relational aesthetics. One aspect of this type of art, is that the art-making involve other people besides or along with the artist. What better people to ask to be involved with my art-making, but my family?
As of Wednesday, with the birth of Layla, there are 114 people in our family, which is an amazing amount of people and we are all connected to each other because of our parents. My vision is that this project might be something we can all contribute to.
It is a lot to ask because some of you may not be comfortable contributing and you are not obligated, but I’m asking you to consider being part of this. During the last couple of weeks, some of you will have received an envelope that contained some drawing paper, one piece for every one at your home and a stamped return envelope. In the interest of time and geography, I have asked some of you to do this on your own, using your own paper and then taking a photo of it and sending it to me via email or facebook.
If you are you are willing, I’m asking that you and each person in your family put something on the paper — anything that you might consider as a gift to Johanna, or a memory of Jenny, Krista. It can be as simple as a line, word, or colour or as complicated as a drawing. You can also leave it blank. In the end, the project will consist of 114 small canvases (5" X 7" or 7" X 5"), each representing one of us and your contribution in the form of a word, a note, photograph, drawing, a piece of fabric, etc. Please feel free to express yourself; no one will know whose work is whose.
When you are finished, you can either send it to me in the mail in the return envelope, or take a photo of your piece and send it to me via email or Facebook. My deadline for this is Novemeber 25 because the larger work is due at the end of the semester, but most importantly, I would like to give Johanna a copy of this artwork before Christmas.
I really hope that this will be a meaningful exercise for us as a family.
If you have any questions let me know.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Love, Petra
Well done Petra. The project has only just begun and already I am somewhat emotional just looking at what you have accomplished this far.
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you as you move forward with this beautiful yet challenging work.
Thanks for your efforts.
Love, Bert