"The Floating World" refers to the popular culture of early modern Edo period Japan (1600-1868). It represented a transitory approach to life where people lived for the moment-literally "floating" through life's pleasures. Fashion became a symbol of one's wealth, character and aesthetic sensibility displayed in the kosode garment which is a precursor to the modern day kimono.

Inspired by the work of modernist painter Deborah Remington and architect Frank Gehry, the eight Premonition watercolors are the conceptual seeds of The Floating World exhibition. The series includes the mixed-media Kosode Scroll installation, Vestiges I-V watercolors and Premonitions-Passages I, II, III, oil paintings.

Passage I is constructed of flat jewel-toned broken shapes exposing the heart of the painting and the appearance of illuminated silk. Passage II represents the illusion of an elevated earthen passage inspired by Japanese haori robe design and Passage III is characterized by floating symbols reminiscent of another world.

The Kosode Scroll is a 4.25' x 33' mixed media watercolor and collage installation inspired by the flowing designs, lush beauty and tactile elegance of Edo period Japanese textiles. It is a unique ambitious interpretation of early modern Japanese art and design which grew out of my investigation of modern, postmodern and feminist theory.

 

The idea of a continuous evolutionary image to me is symbolic of an aesthetic narrative. The method and materials used to make my art comes from personally just wanting to experiment with mixed media watercolor and collage on a very large scale, influenced by the work of Joyce Kosloff and Miriam Schapiro.

 

The Kosode Scroll is built on modern theory through the use of logic and clarity of visional order in the design. The thoughtful juxtaposition of color and form creates a sensation of advancement and recession throughout the scroll emphasizing the directional flow and movement. The vertical plane scrolls 13' off the floor. It is not framed or protected, meaning, it could easily be harmed or destroyed. Metaphorically representing nature, culture and humanity in a sense of physicality and spirit, it is fragile and vulnerable to old biases.

 

The Floating World exhibition is my interpretation of 18^th century Japanese culture, formalist theory and postmodern-feminist consciousness in terms of methods of appropriation, materials, design and ornament.