Allow me to introduce myself, I am one of the contributors and artists on board, they call me Wendybird. As we all hail from different regions, backgrounds, and sentiments, we seek to show a glimpse of the world we travel. Our journeys through making have brought us together, and we will continue to share new creations and inspirations with you!
What a year it has been! Recently returned from Burning Man in early September, the first reunion in quite some time. Many nights were furiously danced, many art cars were hopped on, and thankfully no one was hurt. All in all an incredible time, but now we bring that fervor and passion to our commitment to creation.
Everyone's journey a personal one, I wish to leave you today with an artist who'
s work I found right after the burn. Or rather, her work found me. My first day back from vacation, I accompanied my mother to a local Barnes and Noble in Wellington, FL. Thoughts of playa dust still fresh in my mind, I grabbed a couple of art magazines. The very first one I grabbed floored me... "Shamaness" and costume designer, artist Tiffa Novoa's work has forever shaped the culture of burning man. (1975-2007) http://www.erntefashionsystems.com/Personally, I have never felt such an immediate connection to someone's work- but Tiffa's costume design quite simply speaks my language. Ever since I was 15, I have enjoyed making and creating adornments for the body. The bigger, the crazier, and more out of this world- the better! Jewelry and metalsmithing was my first venture into the world of design.
However, even my most heartfelt works were met with great personal feedback, but no one (including myself) could quite put my work into an appropriate context. "Where do you see this work being shown/sold? Who could you see wearing the pieces?" Not having answers for these questions, it was a "back to the drawing board" scenario.
Burning Man was one of the first instances I've seen to show art- completely uninhibited. Not only is it welcome, it is encouraged. The art being seen was a primary concern, while the meaning a close second, and the "functionality" of a piece came a very distant third. Even if this piece could have no conceivable place in a traditional gallery, it was at home at the burn. It only takes seeing your first 40 foot, flame-shooting sculpture garden to really understand this point.
These ideas fresh in my head, coming across Tiffa Novoa's costumes brought new meaning to my own work. The act of wearing a piece brings new life to a costume. No matter how "other worldly," crazy, or over the top, a costume or jewelry piece one envisions, it can be put in context through speaking to the right audience. When you know how to speak your audience's language, you are free to explore your heart's vision to it's fullest, satisfying end... One look at her work made this possible for me to understand.
I hope to find and work with many more artists who inspire me the way Tiffa's work does. May you rest in peace Tiffa, you live on through your work ~
Stay tuned for more updates from the other side!!!
Wendybird
All images of Novoa's work
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