Article Contributed on: 6/25/2009 4:57:34 PM
Imagination, inspiration, and creation are celebrated in
Doll Daze: A Doll Show of Imaginary Figures at TACtile Textile Arts Center, co-produced by the Denver Doll Artisans from July 17 through August 29, 2009.
The show exhibits a variety of dolls that challenge the conventional concept of a "doll" and moves far beyond that stereotypical image. While many creations are familiar as people, show dolls may also include such things as a chair, a tree, or animals personified. Artists participating are both local amateurs and nationally recognized doll artisans.
The exhibit of dolls gives a voice to many artists' sense of whimsy and playfulness. From the artists' imagination comes their contemporary expression of mythology, magical or mystical spirits. Often the inspiration and emotions are exaggerated to evoke reaction by the viewer and create a sense of childhood imagination and grandeur.
The doll artists use conventional materials including cloth, yarn, beads or clay to construct their figures. Sometimes they may incorporate natural materials, such as, twigs, gourds, and moss.
A favorite source of inspiration may come from "found" objects such as, board game pieces, vintages collectables, machinery parts or whatever catches the artist's fancy. Images from the theater, artworks, and magazines also serve as sources to create a new story in the form of a "doll."
"It's all about telling stories," says curator Linda Benson, of the Denver Doll Artisans. "Personal stories, expressed through figures of fiber and texture."
One of the artists tells a story of coming upon piece of cloth belonging to her grandmother. This chance happening led to creating a doll that embodied her feelings of being with this special person in her life. The doll allows both memories and stories of her grandmother to remain present. Old family photographs have also led to miniature scenes recalling an event.
The TACtile gallery is populated with personalities and messages, created by hand, by those compelled to create new life through three dimensional forms and their story. Be prepared to discover your own story through the inner lives of an artist's experience in the world.
Button Trunk Show - Adding sparkle to the dolls at TACtile, a bonus exhibition of handmade buttons from regional makers, concurs to celebrate the National Button Society Convention, to be held in Denver August 3-8.
When Buttons Fly Over Colorado. Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center, 15500 East 40th Avenue.
www.nationalbuttonsociety.org
TACtile, a nonprofit organization is the premier arts center and gallery promoting creativity and excellence in the Rocky Mountain textile arts community. It is dedicated to increasing visibility and sustaining textile art as a living art form. TACtile opened in Tamarac Square in fall 2007, at 7777 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO 80231.
Doll Daze is co-produced by TACtile Textile Arts Center and the Denver Doll Artisans. For more information about the
Doll Daze: A Doll Show of Imaginary Figures show, visit
www.tactilearts.org or contact us at
info@tactile.org. 720.524.8886.