I stumbled across an artist this week I’d never heard of before, Corita Kent, also known as Sister Corita. That’s right folks, she’s a nun, or was. I’m not exactly sure how I came across her work, but it was during my thesis exploration of joy in art and design. The writing of my expanded thesis outline is coming along and I’m happy how that is progressing. However, the more time I spend on writing, the less time I’m working on visuals. I’m going to be a week behind sending out my “joy applications” and that’s beginning to worry me. But, as another thesis adviser said last week, “Verbalizing will permit you to visualize.”
Here’s hoping. While on the subject of visualizing, here are some other great examples of Sister Corinta’s work. There’s an exhibition of her work at the Museum of Craft and Folk art in SF titled “E is for Everyone.” I really wish I could go! She’s another example of an artist / educator that values the importance of making and creation, from what little I’ve read so far. I also find a sense of joy and play within her work, two things I’ll discuss in my thesis paper.
Yesterday, I attended an interesting lecture at SVA entitled, “PLAY=DESIGN=LEARNING” by Tucker Viemeister. According to SVA’s website, “Tucker is Lab Chief at Rockwell Group. The Lab experiments with interactive digital technology in objects, environments and stories. Viemeister has been instrumental in the design and development of projects including JetBlue’s Marketplace at the JFK International Airport; “Hall of Fragments,” an installation at the 2008 Venice Biennale; and MGM City Centre in Las Vegas.” Definately check out their website, it looks like an amazing place to work and play. That walk was really interesting.
He mentioned the concept of “Flow,” and my friend Rebecca mentioned the same this morning. Flow and Pivot are two words, concepts, or ideas I want to investigate to bring scientific/academic rigor to my thesis. Not that I’m in any way interested in “rigor,” but as I started in a previous post, I’m all about making this thesis bulletproof! In all seriousness, I think these explorations will be the final components needed to fully substantiate my thesis topic.
One last visual, when looking at Sister Corita’s work, I came across a quote she used, which should look familiar! I love finding connections between designers and myself, finding how everyone is related. Her work is first, then mine is below, from my Sophronia project.
Yes! I love her too! I think she has some pieces in the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh — or it might have been temporary…? Either way, seeing her stuff there made me love the city!
I’d love to see it in person, I got excited when I read she had a show at the Folk Art Museum (i thought it was the NY one), but sadly, it’s in California.
I love her too! My status the other day was a quote from her 🙂 Such an amazing artist/person. I have a book of her work if you want to borrow it.
I can across her work unexpectedly too – in Williamsburg, MA – I am obsessed with screen printed design and wandered into an exhibition of her work – I was blown away! I also discovered that she painted the giant gas tank in Boston (if you ever get to see it – phenomenal) – it is something that impressed me ever since I was very young …