"Threads That Bind" Interactive Reviews
Threads That Bind is a collaborative exhibition brought to you by Brea Gallery and Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, highlighting contemporary women artists using textiles and fiber works to give voice to the issues that bind us. Now on view from October 14th to December 8th.
As part of this exhibition, we’ve also weaved in two interactive spaces for the community to also participate in! We’ve had some great submissions that we’re going to highlight our favorites so far in our “Community Quilt” and “Connecting Threads” interactives.
Community Quilt
The Community Quilt room is a designated space for our guests and patrons to get creative and add something personal to the ongoing creation of a large blanket-like project. We’ve laid out some interesting shapes, letters and glitter glue to use alongside a variety of colors to choose from.
It’s become a daily ritual to check what designs everyone leaves behind and it’s interesting to see what colors and shapes people are drawn to. Some prefer minimalistic and funky abstract designs, reminiscent of the party patterns of the 90’s (I’m looking at you, Taco Bell). Others like to accent their work with glitter glue, combining 2 and 3 dimensional designs. There are also some representational art squares, like the eye created from felt pieces, a fruit tree, or a video game controller. Some visitors thrive off of pure chaos, and expressionism- and we’ve been loving them all.
Over the course of the exhibition, Gallery staff has been refreshing the supplies every day and discovering new, simple shapes to add. Since there isn’t any experienced quilt or fabric artists here at the gallery, it’s been a small joy discovering new shapes that we can provide to visitors. (Someone take me back to geometry, please.) We can’t wait to see what the final, full quilt will look like!
Connecting Threads
Our Connecting Threads activity is meant as a reflective interactive for guests to connect to some of the themes discussed in the show: motherly love, gender expectations, mass production, and issues that bind us. We’ve been enjoying the conversations created from these questions. Answers range from short to full analysis, from younger to older generations, from personal and general.
Here are some responses we’ve received so far…
What traits and/or skills did your mother pass down to you?
“The ability to appreciate the moment you’re in and grow from it. Also her kind and temperate nature to balance out my fire.”
“Her smile”
“Aside from Mother’s love of opera, classical music and the arts in general, she was passionate about being a watercolorist. I too share her love for the arts, unfortunately, she also passed down to me her mental instability in the form of anxiety and depression; her intergenerational family immigrant trauma; her unacknowledging submission to the patriarchy and the Catholic church (which I no longer identify with)”
“Her laugh and mannerisms”
What is your opinion on hand-made vs. mass-produced items?
“Both solve unique problems. But, as an Artist, who loves making work from textiles I have an affinity in the hand-made.”
“Love is transferred from the hand of the artist to the art piece. Mass-produced items lack the love factor.”
“They are all being handmade by someone. The difference is often the price paid. Something to consider when paying little for something mass-produced is, how long did it take a person to make an item?”
“Mass produced feeds the masses, hand made feeds the soul”
What is considered masculine vs. feminine?
“Anything within your perspective”
“Femininity is all internal strength, beauty, and creativity. Masculinity is outward strength, dependability and growth.”
“I believe most modern constructs of masculinity and femininity is socially constructed and used to over power certain populations and undermine & marginalize people who do not conform. Out ideas of masculinity vs. femininity should be viewed as an inclusive spectrum.”
What problems do we face across the gender spectrum?
“People don’t understand each other the way we should.”
“The expectation to define it.”
What is your favorite way(s) to be creative and express yourself?
“Music, writing, poetry and dance”
“When I pick out my fits! I dress based on my mood and what I feel.”
“Body movement, dance, surf, skateboard”
“Showing affection :) "
Threads That Bind
is on view now through December 8, 2023.
Join the conversation and community, and plan your visit soon!
Threads That Bind is produced in collaboration between Brea Gallery and MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center, in an effort to offer more diverse and comprehensive programming that bridge our communities, as well as, broader Orange County.
Brea Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday noon to 5pm. (closed Thanksgiving Day)
