When thinking about which direction to choose, regarding the objects themselves, I decided to make magnets, as they were something my family used to collect when my brother and I were quite young. Upon deciding on magnets, instantly I knew themes of home, and family would inform the content of my artist multiple. When I think of my family, I think of them as a system (a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network) of support ( source of security, comfort, assistance, or encouragement). In terms of construction, I decided to go the route of textiles. Though not typically considered sturdy, or “supporting,” I have lately found solace in my embroidery hobby, with a thread, some fabric, and a needle. Funnily enough, I realized that magnets themselves act as a literal support system to the memos, photographs, and various items they hold secure to a surface.
In this difficult time of social quarantining, support systems become all the more relevant. Whether it be a new hobby or passion, your family, or your chosen family, everyone needs support. Let these artist multiples be a reminder to virtually check in on your loved ones, and to support high-risk individuals by staying home. Thank you all for a wonderful semester, I wish you much love, health, and safety.
Isabella De Tullio
PS I apologize for the dirty, gross fridge in my student house.
– I like how you are responding to the current historical moment
– “support system” can have multiple meanings, like family and friends who take care of you, but also structurally – as in the stable armature of a sculpture – and there could be more play with the meanings in this as a sculpture
– I see how textiles and magnets were used with this in mind – but I’m not sure the textiles give much support, or make sense with the little blocks – playing with alternative materials to support your components could be a good way to develop this work – or maybe the blocks themselves would literally BE a support system for other things – can these little blocks hold other things, or even YOU up? Wouldn’t that be cool to play with?
– I have really loved having you in my class Isabella! Thank you for your tremendous thoughtfulness and participation, and it has been great to see your thinking expand into this way of making art… Very good work!