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Artist Residency CULMINATION 2022!!

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I just recently completed my  Artist Residency in Bookmaking, “We Write the Book” at the West Valley Regional Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, through the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs.
 
I and the Staff at West Valley would like to share the Residency activities with you, and so I have created a short PowerPoint video highlighting the workshop projects, themes and events as part of our CULMINATION EVENT!
Please click on the arrow key below and enjoy seeing the bookmaking projects our marvelously creative participants have learned and created!  You may also view the video on You Tube by clicking here.  ENJOY.

 

Six of the Best Interview Questions: Interviewed on Philip Hartigan’s PRAETERIA blog

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Today I share my interview with artist and writer Philip Hartigan, a  regular contributor to Hyperallergic for 7 years. on his blog,

PRAETERITA

where he talks about art, interviews other artists, and more.

“Part 42 of an interview series in which artists reply to the same six questions. Debra Disman makes sculptural objects from a combination of materials that can be read as fiber art, yet also imply book forms. Her work is  a mesmerizing combination of materials, textures, and forms that are combined with exceptional skill. You can see more of her work here.”

https://philiphartiganpraeterita.blogspot.com/2022/04/six-of-best-debra-disman.html

This was fun!

Check out Philip’s work on his insta and site!

Thank you Philip!

 

Studio Notes: Texture Tactility Tactile Textile

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Today I am sharing some explorations into “tactile textiles,”, a term coined, as  understand it, by Anni Albers, tactile textile artist/weaver!

Such works and materials become spaces, places, rooms, lands, terrain, forests…tactile explorations into the unknown, guided by, among other things, the sense of touch, a tactile sensibility.

 

Detail of “Forest Through The Trees”, book board, hemp cord, wood, canvas, acrylic paint, used typewriter ribbon, ribbon

Test piece/sample, paper, jute cord

Detail of “It’s Not Black or White”,  book board, mulberry paper, used typewriter ribbon

Detail of “FruitFull” (in process), textile samples, hemp cord

Stacked pieces of “to the trade” folded textile samples


Stacked pieces of repurposed and folded denim cut from jeans

“Collective Acts of Peace / Actos colectivos de paz” at 18th Street Art Center

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I am thrilled to participate in: Collective Acts of Peace / Actos colectivos de paz, an exhibition of 18th Street Arts Center in the Slipstream Gallery, at the Airport Campus. curated by Frida Cano.

“Artists in residence at 18th Street Arts Center are pleased to present Collective Acts of Peace, a selection of 18th Street projects with the aim of exploring different embraces of the creative mind in the midst of an endless global pandemic. Featuring the work of Alexandra Dillon, Ameeta Nanji, Crystal Michaelson, Daniela Schweitzer, David McDonald,  Debra Disman, Doni Silver Simons, Joan Abrahamson, Joan Wulf,  Julia Michelle Dawson, Labkhand Olfatmanesh, Lola del Fresno, M Susan Broussard, Melinda Smith Altshuler, Rebecca Youssef, and Susie McKay Krieser,  this artist-led project is on view in the Slipstream Galleries 18th Street Arts Center’s Airport Campus (3026 Airport Ave, Santa Monica) from March 14 – June 4, 2022. The exhibition highlights the connections among creatives who strive to make this a better world for all living beings, humans and non-humans alike.”

I am showing my triptych: “RENT WOUND TEAR, MEND HEAL REPAIR” in dialogue with artist Joan Wulf‘s works on view from her “Ruminations” series.


Debra Disman, “Rent Wound Tear, Mend Heal Repair”, 2022. Mixed media: canvas/acrylic paint/hemp cord/string. Exhibition view of “Collective Acts of Peace” at 18th Street Arts Center’s Airport Campus Slipstream Galleries. March 15 – June 4, 2022. Photo by Marc Walker.

Explore the show and accompanying events here!

I will be participating on this panel, with artist David McDonald on May 22nd!

JOIN US!!!!

Celebrate Poetry Month and Honor Earth Day through Bookmaking!

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Please join us online for our final Artist Residency  event of the season!

I will help you create a special handmade “closed spine” accordion book with simple pop-ups  honoring Earth Day and celebrating National Poetry Month!

 

When you sign up you will not only receive the supplies necessary to participate in the program, but a special artmaking materials good bag and Los Angeles Public Library SWAG!
This is an online program.

PLEASE  sign up using the link that we’ve set up: tinyurl.com/34a8nam9  so that we can provide you with the info we’re gathering using the form and also to minimize any questions about supply packets.so that we can provide you with the info we’re gathering using the form and also to minimize any questions about supply packets.

 For ADA accommodations, call (213) 228-7430 at least 72 hours prior to the event.

Para ajustes razonables según la ley de ADA, llama al (213) 228-7430 al menos 72 horas antes del evento.

I Hope To See You There!

Collective Acts of Peace / Actos colectivos de paz

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I am happy to be part of a unique exhibition:

March 14, 2022 – June 4, 2022
at:
18th Street Arts Center (Airport Campus)

“Artists in residence at 18th Street Arts Center are pleased to present Collective Acts of Peace, a selection of 18th Street projects with the aim of exploring different embraces of the creative mind in the midst of an endless global pandemic. Featuring the work of Alexandra Dillon, Ameeta Nanji, Crystal Michaelson, Daniela Schweitzer, David McDonald,  Debra Disman, Doni Silver Simons, Joan Abrahamson, Joan Wulf,  Julia Michelle Dawson, Labkhand Olfatmanesh, Lola del Fresno, M Susan Broussard, Melinda Smith Altshuler, Rebecca Youssef, and Susie McKay Krieser,  this artist-led project is on view in the Slipstream Galleries 18th Street Arts Center’s Airport Campus (3026 Airport Ave, Santa Monica) from March 14 – June 4, 2022. The exhibition highlights the connections among creatives who strive to make this a better world for all living beings, humans and non-humans alike.”

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 12-5pm

Participating artists:
Institute of United Minds, a manifesto-driven project: Ameeta Nanji, David McDonald, Doni Silver Simons, Joan Abrahamson,  Melinda Smith Altshuler, and Susie McKay Krieser.: Alexandra Dillon: Crystal Michaelson + Rebecca Youssef, Daniela Schweitzer; Debra Disman + Joan Wulf, Julia Michelle Dawson, Labkhand Olfatmanesh, Lola del Fresno, M Susan Broussard

I am showing “RENT WOUND TEAR, MEND HEAL REPAIR“, 2022, a triptych made of canvas, acrylic paint, hemp cord and string.

My work is in dialogue with artist Joan Wulf’s three pieces made of cut-up and repurposed journals: Ruminations 2, 4 and 5

“Our submitted works engage processes of dissembling and weaving together repurposed materials, text and experience in an effort to reconfigure and make meaning of the past and present, find a way through trauma, and achieve clarity in the confusing banality of everyday life.
Through exploring new forms of artmaking we seek transcendence and deeper understanding for ourselves and the viewer. In this way, the proposed dialogue between our works becomes a collaboration of the spirit as well as the material, as we work to imagine and achieve what seems impossible within and without, and invite others to do the same.” — Debra Disman and Joan Wulf