Lantern and Papermaking with Plants Workshop. June 30, Joanne Rich

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1 Lantern and Papermaking with Plants Workshop June 30, 2018 Joanne Rich

2 1 My overall artistic work, history and achievements When I left my job as an art director in advertising, creating paper light sculptures was a form of reaction. While I enjoyed the challenge of applying my creativity to branding products, I was uncomfortable with my role in mass production. After selling efficiency and uniformity, my sculptures are free flowing, random, and spontaneous. I don t pre plan or work from a sketch. I enjoy the process of jumping straight in and playing with the materials bending it this way and that allowing it to become the shape it wants to become. When I first began making sculptures, I purchased reeds and tissues. Although convenient, there is a disconnection between myself and my work. The process of creating a sculpture felt as if I had purchased a "kit" from Michael's and made a light. Which is why I am determined to source my materials locally. By sourcing my own materials, I'm forced to slow down and look. By slowing down and look, I am learning about the environment and the biodiversity my materials have played a role in. Making paper from plant fibers is ecologically ethical and sustainable. Fibers sourced from my garden, food waste, and yard waste can be made into paper. The process from harvesting to sheet forming, is a very primitive form of papermaking. When used as a material to build my sculptures, it sparks a dialogue with my audiences, helping to reconnect their relationship with nature. Since my artist career began in 2008, I have received the Access Career and Development and the Artist In Education grant from the OAC, an Honourable Mention from the Scarborough Art Council, 1st Place three dimensional award from the South Simcoe Arts Council, and for two years in a row, 1st place from Witchurch-Stoville Art in the Park. About the workshop When we want something, we order it online, and the product will be delivered to our door step the next day. With products so cheaply made, is it worth our time and effort make it ourselves? In a way, we have lost our confidence and knowledge in making things. My goal behind this project is to encourage students to make their own light sculpture they can be proud of, and to reconnect students with nature through the use of natural materials. For this workshop, students are asked to bring in a few branches from their area to build the frame for their sculptures. This process will be an opportunity for them to go on a scavenger hunt for various branches. When forming the shape of the sculptures,

3 2 students will notice the subtle textures, bends, and the lumps and bumps of their branches. After completing the skeleton for their sculpture, I will show students the techniques I use to rip and cut the tissues, how to make paste, how to brush paste onto the tissues, and how to apply the tissues over their frame. At the same time, students will also learn how to make paper from plants. Papermaking is a primitive process. Tools and techniques haven't changed much since paper was first invented thousands of years ago. Students will experience papermaking from fiber preparation to finished sheets of plant papers. Students will be shown steps in fiber preparation, cooking, beating, sheet forming, and drying. Students will be shown how to make a do-it-yourself version of the sugeta, the Japanese papermaking mold and deckle. In the last stage, students are free to design their sculptures however they wish. In the past, some students added textures, paint, and even carvings. Once a sculpture is completed, it is given a light fixture to fasten inside the sculptures. Light is a symbol of celebration. In China, lanterns are lit to welcome the Chinese New Year, and to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the Western culture, pumpkins are lit to celebrate Halloween, string lights and inflatables decorate our houses and lawns to spread Christmas cheer. We light Christmas trees. Patio lanterns celebrate the warmth of family and friends during summer nights. The use of light in this workshop, is used to celebrate pride and accomplishments. Brief Course Outline Light Sculpture Making DAY 1 BUILDING THE FRAME Students will be shown how to form and shape their light sculptures with reeds, branches, and/or dogwood. Using my sculptures as an example, I highlight different elements students should be aware of (sufficient room for light bulb, how sculpture/paper behave once dry, etc). FINISH THE FRAME AND APPLY THE FIRST LAYER OF TISSUE Students will be shown how to make wheat paste from wheat starch and water. Techniques to apply the first layer of tissue over their frame will be shown.

4 3 DAY 2 APPLY THE SECOND AND THIRD LAYER OF TISSUES Once the 1 st layer has dried overnight, students can begin to apply the 2 nd layer. Once the 2 nd layer is completed (does not need to dry overnight), students can add inclusions (pressed plants or handmade paper) before applying the final 3 rd layer of tissue (or their handmade paper). Some of students light sculptures.

5 Some of students light sculptures. 4

6 5 Papermaking (taking place at the same time as the light sculpture workshop) DAY 1 HARVESTING, PREPARING FIBERS, AND COOKING THE FIBERS If there are milkweeds available in the surrounding area, we will go out and harvest them. If milkweeds are not available, I will bring milkweeds to the workshop. We will steam milkweeds to strip fibers (I may pre-steam them from home to save time). Fibers are cooked in a soda ash solution for about 30 minutes. Fibers are rinsed until the water runs clear. BEATING THE FIBERS INTO PULP Okra is soaked in a bucket of water to create formation aid. Students will take turns hand beating the fibers into pulp. PAPERMAKING Students are shown how papermaking equipment is constructed. Students take turns making paper. DAY 2 PAPERMAKING Continue making paper until the pulp runs out.

7 A papermaking station set-up. 6