Something in the Water/Guidelines for Collaborators

First of all, I am thrilled that you are interested in participating in this eco-art project. This is my first stab at guidelines for it. So, if you have questions and or suggestions about how to make it clearer, please let me know!!!

GENERAL DESCRIPTION;

Collaborators will be creating breast-like shapes that I will join together to form an organic looking reef that will float at chest level. The “yarn” is formed by folding USED plastic bags lengthwise, cutting off the handles and bottom before snipping inch-wide loops. Slip the loops together to form the yarn.

Here is a link to a You tube video showing how to crochet with plastic bags. The directions for how to make a can cover will work for the first part of the nipple:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i1W9Mi7jPM

YARN: Fold the plastic bags the long way, cut off the bottom and any handles. Snip the bag at one inch intervals producing loops one inch wide. Slip the loops together to form a long strand and roll into a ball.

SIZE: On the upper end, some will measure as much as a yard in diameter. On the low end, some of the shapes may be only a foot across at the top. Anything between is your choice. Use any size crochet hook that you like to work with….

COLOR: The only parameter I am asking you to stick to is that the nipple shape’s color should clearly contrast the breast shape’s color. Either or both parts can mix shades, but not so much as to obscure the demarcation between nipple and breast. (I crocheted my first shape out of plastic newspaper protectors. Places that recycle plastic bags and friends are also a good source. Please do not use new plastic bags!)

FORMS: The shape is formed by first crocheting a flat circle in whatever size you think will be appropriate for the scale of the breast shape you will make. This is done by increasing every other stitch as you crochet around the circle. Then stop increasing and the sides of the shape will grow straight up. When that is long enough, begin to increase to develop the wider part of the shape. When the nipple shape seems to fit your idea of scale, change colors and continue increasing as you form the rest of the shape.

WORKING TOGETHER: If you would like to participate, but don’t have the time to complete a shape yourself, one person can start it and another can complete it! Or more than two people can work together to finish a larger shape.

RECOGNITION: All collaborators will be recognized at the exhibition at the American Jewish Museum in Pittsburgh and any future exhibitions of “our reef” in other locations.

TIMELINE: The exhibition is scheduled to open in May. Since I will be joining the shapes into the larger sculpture, I will need some time. Please send all SIW shapes to me by April 1, 2011. If you live in Pittsburgh, I will be happy to pick them up!

BOTTOMLINE: Make it so you like it!

Please let me know if you are working on a piece to contribute. I need to get a sense of what we are going to end up with! Thanks so so much! Send me your questions, insights, and tips for other collaborators!

wendy.osher@verizon.net