Material Worlds
The "Material Worlds" retreat brings together four artists exploring sustainable materials and practices. This immersive retreat blended workshops, readings and discussion about sustainable art practices - all giving form to the artists' shared vision of more ecological and renewable "material world."
Liz Atz is a visionary artist exploring biomaterials, specifically chitosan (derived from shellfish) in contemporary art. Atz demonstrated her pioneering techniques, pouring bioplastic skins and foams that resemble plastic and urethane onto fabrics, single-part molds, and lenticular lens films. This groundbreaking approach showcases the versatility and potential of biomaterials in artistic production. Atz presented the remnants of the installation "New Skin for Old Ceremony," originally exhibited at Pace University in 2021. Suspended between two trees, the translucent surfaces of this ethereal work were gently caressed by the wind and bathed in sunlight, creating an interplay of light, movement, and organic forms.
Yan Cynthia Chen investigates biomaterials like paper pulp, clay and plaster to create uncanny abstract sculptures referencing the human body and systems of nature/culture. During her retreat at the Goldey House, Chen offered a thorough and thoughtful demonstration of papermaking. She set up two vats of paper pulp, one with flax fibers and the other with abaca, inviting artists to experiment with both kinds of pulp, layering different materials and pigmented pulp. The pigmented pulp, available in squeeze bottles, could be drawn on or worked with a brush, allowing for a unique and immersive exploration of this versatile medium.
Kim Reinhardt explores intersections of anatomy, ecology, fiber, screenprinting and painting, working with natural dyes and conscious material sourcing. During her residency at the Goldey House, Reinhardt meticulously labored over the preparations for experimentation with natural dyes on fabric, a process that spanned several days. She began by creating a natural mordant using rhubarb leaves and soda ash, as well as prepping plant-based pigments such as madder, buckthorn, and chestnut. Each material has a unique preparation to be used as a dye. The madder required several passes before emitting its rich, burgundy pigment, while the mordant ensured the dyes adhered to the fabric.
Nichole van Beek makes artwork from mycocomposites and kombucha biofilm - temporary pieces allowing natural decomposition over time. Through layered patterns, textures and letterforms, her works resemble maze-like compositions. During her time at the Goldey House, van Beek led an encaustic workshop, introducing participants to the ancient art of working with beeswax and dammar resin dating back to Ancient Greece. She prepared a variety of dry materials to embed in the wax, including coarse textures and fine powders made from grass, mugwort, and pine needles.