Stitched

Stitched, a documentary that follows three quilters (Caryl Bryer Fallert, Hollis Chatelain and Randall Cook) as they prepare to enter  Houston's International Quilt Association show, when it was shown at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago on September 18. First the documentary was a lot funnier than I expected. I also enjoyed the music and loved that two songs by Cathy Miller, the "Singing Quilter" from Canada. Cathy's songs are extremely entertaining. and if you ever have the chance to see her in person, jump at it! Jena Moreno, the director (photograph), and her husband, Tom Gandy, the camera man. editor and graphic designer, were there. I also went out to dinner with them to a great PanAsian restaurant afterward. I found them to be delightful. I've thought a lot about the movie since seeing it. First, it seemed to me that for Jena it was the story and entertainment factor (how much people laughed) that seemed to be important to her and I think she succeeded. For me, it certainly did not tell the entire story of the quilt world. The focus was on the two major shows (Paducah, Kentucky, and Houston, Texas) with more of the focus being on the Houston show. Who was going to win? Unfortunately, none of them won so I was worried that the ending would be anticlimactic, but they were saved when Hollis won Viewer's Choice. They luckily (according to Tom) were able to capture Hollis' emotional response to hearing the announcement.

I was bothered that the traditional quiltmakers shown were elderly and outspoken about their dislike of art quilts. For an outsider, this might look like the opinion expressed speaks of all traditional quiltmakers which I know is not true. The flip side was also not shared. No art quilters were shown giving an opinion of traditional quilts.

I loved that we got a glimpse how the judging occurred at Houston.  I was quite surprised to see that no one was wearing white gloves! I am really surprised that no buzz has occurred about this. When I lived in Houston, I did volunteer to help hang the show four times and each time I was required to wear them. If anyone was seen not wearing them, we were severely admonished.

I am also not sure how long film will be relevant and I am not sure if people will want to watch it more than once. I could be wrong since sales were good with quite a few people even purchasing two copies. For me, I purchased a copy to support them. We need films about quiltmaking. The DVD is only $19.95 which is reasonably priced. Make sure to watch it all the way to the end for the bonus outtakes. Some which were funnier than others.

By the way, Jena is not a quilter nor does she plan to make one. She does live in Houston and drives by the George R Brown Convention Center (where the Houston quilt show takes place) every day on her way to work at the Houston Chronicle. She writes about air lines.  You cannot live in Houston and not be aware of the 50,000 people descending on the convention each year. She and her husband are going to be making a stretching and exercise video for quilters with Randall Cook before making a documentary on Mariachi bands. Jena's dad is in one and I'm sure it will be just as entertaining as Stitched.

Christina Carlos

Christina actually researched the clothing at the time to make sure that her quilt was historically true to the times. Her quilt's title is "Choices/Elecciones." I love watching Christina's process and how her art is evolving as she gains confidence.

"I admire Oney Judge because she made a choice to be free at the sake of being a wanted fugitive along with living a life of poverty. In society, there are laws that want to be passed to limit a woman’s right to choose in having a family. It is not up to man to decide on a woman’s choice. Women have to live with their own decisions and that is what I believe Oney did."

"Admiro a Oney Judge porque eligió ser libre a costa de ser una fugitiva, y de vivir además en la pobreza. En la sociedad, hay leyes que se quieren aprobar para limitar el derecho de la mujer a elegir si quiere tener familia. No es asunto de los hombre decidir  el derecho de las mujeres a elegir. Las mujeres tenemos que saber vivir con nuestras propias decisiones, creo que fue lo que Oney hizo."

Good News!

The National Museum of Mexican Art has decided to extend the exhibit Rastros y Crónicas: Women of Juarez until July 4, 2010! From the museum, "Unfortunately, many institutions are currently cutting back on their budgets and exhibition programming due to the current economic situation we are facing at this time.  It is for this reason that the NMMA feels it is even more important to continue to support exhibitions that otherwise be the first to be eliminated in times like this, such as is the case for Rastros y Crónicas: Women of Juarez. Therefore, we have extended the exhibition run until July 4th, 2010." If you are in Chicago, please go and see this moving and powerful exhibit. I still cannot believe that I have a piece in the show. It is so fun to be a fly on the wall and listen to what people have to say. This is an amazing museum. 

"Art from the Heart Auction" - Supporting Art for Children

I am honored to donate a skull mask to the "Art from the Heart Auction" at the National Museum of Mexican Art on December 5 from 4-7 to raise money so that the museum can continue to offer free art programs for children. The NMMA is the only museum in Chicago that spends a third of its budget on arts education. It is also the only major museum in Chicago that has free admission. Tickets for the event are $30 per person and you don't need to be present to win. Support this worthy cause! www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org

Ni Una Mas at DePaul University

I wish I could say that I dazzled the students. I realized how much I feed off an audience when I speak. Actually, it wasn't bad. The audience just didn't seem interested in the art. However, they were interested in the issues surrounding Juarez. I did get one question. With the naming vigil happening immediately following the panel discussion the room cleared quickly. Judith had an emergency and couldn't make it which was disappointing. I was really looking forward to meeting her. I think she is an amazing artist. Still glad I went. I'd do it again.

Invitation

They are our daughters, our sisters

Pinch me. I still cannot believe that my quilt "They are our daughters, our sisters" will be included in the exhibit "Rastros y Cronicas: Women of Juarez" at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago (1852 W 19th St) from October 16, 2009 - February 14, 2010. I began making this quilt after being asked to teach a class based on what is happening to young women in Juarez, Mexico. The quilt was made over several months as I read articles and books, watched videos and frankly cried. When I lived in Texas (1994-1998), I had read articles that would occasionally pop up in the newspaper about the women being tortured, raped and killed in Juarez and like many things that we read, it passes from our mind. I was surprised to hear that women were still being killed. Since 1993, more than 500 women have been killed in Ciudad Juarez in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua (just over the border from El Paso, Texas). My piece was not planned but evolved. It was important to me to have a cross for every women (girls since the youngest is 10) that has died. It is important for me that it compels the viewer to comprehend and sympathize with what the victims endured and what the loved ones who are left behind continue to face. We must not forget or ignore the loss because we are all connected.