Maker Monday: Fisch Out of Water

"I have always been concerned with the making of jewelry to be worn, of unique works of art, which have the human body as their site." - Arline Fisch

Mother's Day is a day I always get to choose what our family does, and this year I chose to spend the afternoon as a family at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego.  It is a museum showcasing "art of the people".  My main reason for wanting to go was to see what looked to be a spectacular exhibit showcasing "Fisch Out of Water" by Arline Fisch, and I wasn't disappointed!

Who is Arline Fisch?  She is a San Diego based artist, professor of art at SDSU (emerita), was named a "Living Treasure of California" in 1985 and way back in 1961 she established the jewelry making and metalsmithing program at SDSU - just to name a few things about her!  Arline Fisch's main focus is on body adornment, or what some people call "jewelry" and on a large scale - such as collars or arm wraps.  What is so unique and special is the jewelry is knitted, weaved, plaited, or crocheted out of textiles like different colored copper wire - yes, wire!

Fisch Out of Water is her first life-size exhibit of sea creatures crocheted out of beautiful color-coated, thin copper wire.  Originally commissioned by the Racine Art Museum, the sea creatures were grouped in six adjacent window spaces, but at the Mingei the jellyfish and seaweed floated in the air above your head in their Rotunda Gallery, and the coral was grouped in a nook on the staircase.  Over 150 objects make up the entire exhibit.  See all the pics here.

It was a wonderful day and experience to see such fine craftmanship revered and viewed as art.  The day ended with my oldest daughter, Greta, being inspired to start knitting again, and this time, possibly with wire (and a funny mom-daughter pic in the gardens around the museum!).  Greta couldn't understand why Arline Fisch would have her jewelry for sale in the museum gift shop for $, $$ or $$$ of dollars, and also have a book teaching anyone how to do the same thing.  I explained to her that a true artist is inspired to share and teach their passion to others, and not keep it just for themselves.

XO,
allison