V9 Exhibition: International House, Davis

Viewpoints 9 is proud to announce a special exhibition of contemporary fiber art selected from each of our original 2012 and 2013 challenges. The exhibit will be held at the International House in Davis, California, April 9 - May 6, 2015.  Viewpoints 9 members, Diane Wright and Martha Wolfe, invite you to join them for the Opening Reception on April 10, 2015 from 6 - 8PM.

Out of Control Weather

by Lin Hsin-Chen

Global warming becomes even more serious in summer 2013. Human beings are luckily enough to be able to hide into an air-conditioned room to regulate body temperature. The pursuit of comfort is a human instinct. How about all the other living things on Earth? Are they as lucky as we are? The temperature is getting higher and higher every year. The problem of global warming seems out of control. What a hazardous time we are in! It’s hard to imagine that we human beings will become “climate refugees” in the future.

I attended a cruise trip in July. As a first-time cruiser, I enjoyed the facilities on the ship and felt everything was so novel. But I felt confused when I was listening to the tourist guide on the cruise explaining how the coastline landscape has been changed due to climate change, flood and drought. It swept away my joy and made me feel sad. Why does the environment change? How will it affect the future?

Getting off the ship, we visited the coastline of Okinawa. I saw a scorched tree standing obliquely under the hot sun in the marine park. The tree leaves just looked like black nets. There was no wind under the shade, only high-temperature heat instead. I guess the tree also felt unwell as I did. I quickly ran into the air conditioning car. How about the tree? Does Nature have any method to resist the hazardous climate? Or does it just show the reality in front of human beings and try to give some warns?

Admittedly, this trip was no much fun. The cruise brought me to the coast and let me see the ecological truth and the environmental change we’re facing, which is very different from what I saw from an airplane. The scorched black tree was definitely an unforgettable scene for me! Pray for the Earth!

Materials: commercial cotton, poly batting, lace, silk, flannelette, knit patterns

Techniques: 100% hand-stitched

Cognitive Correction

by Lin Hsin-Chen

The quilting world in Asia is mostly under the commercial domination and this problem is particularly serious in Taiwan. There are fewer people in fiber arts that can set up their self-learning goals and accomplish their dreams as a fiber artist like I do. Getting a foothold in Asia is relatively hard. The unwritten rules are just like a rope that ties the freedom of creativity, which not only harms creative quilters but also distorts the true intention of fiber arts. I’m quite envious of the creative environment and atmosphere in the U.S. and Europe. That’s why I set up TAQS (Taiwan Art Quilt Society) and try to find a way out. Hopefully I can see the environment to be changed and improved gradually. Being a part of Viewpoints 9 has helped me to widen my vision and influenced my perspectives in many aspects.

This spring, when I was attending an exhibition in Provence, Nature gave me a “hint” by showing me “black flowers.” It brought me new inspiration for the future and altered my original cognition of Nature colors. The color of Nature is ever changing and beyond our expectation. It helps me to learn to accept something that exceeds the original cognition.

Nature is just like a Master who guides us to renew our knowledge and vision and allows us to see our shortcomings and change our concept. It is always a happy thing to participate in Viewpoints 9.

All the best to everyone!

Health and Happiness

By Lin Hsin-Chen

God loves us and let bad things happen in due course, giving us the opportunity to learn from mistakes and live a better life. I learned an important life lesson from a “pain-removing process”. The lines of a varied, adventurous, complicated and challenging life story are imprinted on this quilt.

"Health and Happiness" ©2013, Lin Hsin-Chen

The red flowers on the quilt represent happiness and the white flowers represent both physical health and mental health, which not only should be co-existed in harmony, but also the goal for everyone. I hope all my friends are healthy and happy like the red and white flowers.

Everybody knows that health leads to happiness. However, my conception of this idea was reversed. I wished everyone was happy even I had to sacrifice my health. During TIQE2012 (Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition 2012), Sue, Mary and Misik told me that I looked exhausted. That’s true, but I was still keen on accompanying with all the artists till they left Taiwan. In fact, I was facing the crisis of heavy bleeding. Only my husband and daughter knew it, so they shared my works. Until this year, after several visits to Europe, I finally had to do the surgery. My preconception “grew” the tumor up. I am lucky enough to be able to choose the time for surgery. Who has such courage to accept this kind of life crisis? Thanks to my husband and family for the huge and selfless support of my dangerous “experiment”. Thank God for guiding me through this life challenge. I will put health and happiness in my first priority from now on.

This is a story of a stupid adventure. After I overcome my ignorance, this story will “bloom” like bright flowers in this quilt. I’m glad that I still have enough time to sew it after the surgery without delaying the deadline. Everything is going well and I truly appreciated.

I wish everyone healthy and happy forever.

Materials: silk, cotton, ribbon

Techniques: 100% hand-stitched

Different from Our Thoughts

by Lin Hsin-Chen

I attended an exhibition in France in mid May and met many European artists. I found many groups are quite similar to our Viewpoints 9. Some of them use social network for public viewing and some of them don’t, but they have one thing in common, which is the long histories. Some of them even have been lasted for 20 to 30 years. I was stunned by their attitude and spirit of cooperation. It was truly a valuable opportunity of exchanges and I’ve seen diverse insights from them in the world of quilting, including creating styles, discussion, communication, art work publishing, obligation and cooperation between members. There’s a lot I can learned from them. 

I’m lucky to have the opportunity to visit different cities and experience various local cultures. During each journey, I often encounter something that is “different from my thoughts”, not only in quilting professions but also in trifling matters of everyday life. I always try to blend in and learned from the local people, but maybe I am not knowledgeable enough, I often feel upset and start complaining. Worst of all, the unsatisfied current situation not only affects my emotion, but also violates my creating and self-learning plans.

In fall, 2009, I visited Chicago and stayed there for 5 days to enjoy the arts and architecture and so on of this city. The Millennium Park located beside Lake Michigan let me absorb in its cultural and leisure atmosphere. What a great chance for meditation and rethink about those things that I used to complaint about! When I stood in front the tremendous work, Cloud Gate, all of the people and things looked distorted. Both our attitude and the environment keep changing, so if we don’t keep learning and adjust ourselves, maybe the friends around us would see a “distorted” person. The world is always different from our thoughts. Keep learning and accept the fact seems to be the only solution.

The sudden enlightenment in Chicago helps me a lot in dealing with people and things. Also allows me to adjust myself in a very short period of time in Europe and accept and appreciate diverse groups. Thanks to the previous learning experience that have changed my views. All my best wishes for the future development of Viewpoints 9.

Warm Love

by Lin Hsin-Chen

Thank you, Misik, for giving us this meaningful challenge. By this challenge, Image from Tradition, I got the chance to take a look at the vanishing culture of Taiwanese Aborigines. Then, as I tried to explore the definition of “tradition”, an image that has existed in my life for 25 years rose before my eyes. I decided to use the image for my quilt and share the story with everyone.

Admittedly, every contemporary culture will become ancient traditional images in another generation. New culture that has been influenced by traditional culture must be recorded. The red sweater that my mom gave me not only gives me warmth but also appeases my negative emotions. The power of it is as beautiful as flowers. The sweater is worn out and now it becomes part of my quilt. I would like to dedicate this quilt to my mom and thanks for her love and support. Happy mothers day and stay healthy to mothers around the world!

Marriage is a tradition itself. It’s also the hardest challenge in my life. My mom was definitely worried and anxious about my new life. She bought me some clothes, so that at least she could make sure that I wouldn’t feel too cold. One of them was a red sweater, which was just like an angel to me, and it “escorted” me through my “hard times”.

In Taiwan, following the tradition is the most basic obligation for a married woman to obey. I was assigned to prepare for traditional ceremonies and 3 meals a day for the entire family of 30 people or more during Chinese New Year (usually for 10 days). During the 10 days, no one else could help me. I had to do all the preparing and cooking by myself. I was pregnant, but it wasn’t an excuse to escape.

I didn’t have any cooking experience at my maiden home, not to mention housekeeping. The traditional value was just like a monster, and it made me wanted to run away. Beside the household chores, I had to try to get along with my husband’s family and adjust myself to the new living environment. All the things just came to me at the same time, and I was extremely struggle with them. I used to cry a lot and feeling helpless like a melancholic.

It was a cold winter, so I wore the red sweater that my mom gave me. Magically, the red sweater not only gave me warmth, but also brought me joy and luck. I started to look at the bright side of life and learned to do those things step by step. The interpersonal relationship was the first problem that I overcame. After that, life seems become easier gradually.

Techniques: hand pieced, hand quilted, yoyo

Materials: sweater, mono printed cotton, commercial cotton, beads, paillette

The Vanishing Culture

by Lin Hsin-Chen

Life is a combination of numerous coincidences. When I completed the 6 challenge, I shared the idea of making a quilt with my collection of old traditional fabrics with my friends. Then, I received our 7 challenge, “Image from Tradition”. What a great coincidence! Thank you Misik for giving me this incredible opportunity!

I attended an opening ceremony of a cultural exhibition at a museum in Taiwan on March, 24^th. The theme was “The Vanishing Culture of Taiwanese Aborigines - The Pingpu Tribe”. The exhibition introduces the people who lived in Taiwan Island around 4 to 5 thousand years ago. The people are what we called “The Pingpu Tribe” today. Their traditional culture and customs are replaced by the Han Chinese culture gradually in the recent 4 hundred years. Many of the valuable antiques are also taken away from Taiwan by the new residents. Many of the exhibits displayed in the exhibition are from overseas. It’s nice to see them “coming back” to Taiwan again. I am especially attracted by the fiber and costumes of Pingpu people, so I decide to do some research about them.

The Pingpu people use natural plant fibers, such as cotton and linen, to make their clothes. They use waist looms to weave. Plaid is the most common pattern they use, and natural dyeing colors such as red, yellow, green, purplish blue, orange…etc are common to see. The most gorgeous costumes of Pingpu people are usually decorated with delicate brocade. The handmade techniques present the simple and pure lifestyle at that time.

I was born and grown up in Taiwan, but it’s my first time seeing the primitive culture. I’m so touched and feel very lucky to experience the vanishing culture. All the photos posted here are not the antiques of thousand years ago (but 400 years ago), because I can’t take photos of the oldest antiques. They are too old to be attacked by flashlights anymore.

To be honest with you, the exhibition changes my original design plan for the 7^th challenge. My plan of challenge 7 now remains unknown.

Encircled with Friendship

by Lin Hsin-Chen

I received the 6 challenge when I was working with the “stories” that happened last year. By handling the details of each plan, I could have an in-depth view and absorption of those practical experiences. It also helped me to enhance and widen my vision of both private and public perspectives. It feels like I’m a university student learning for credits. Thanks to 2012.

Among the collation of gifts, many are fiber materials. They are a wide variety of fabrics that I’ve received from Sue Dennis, Mary Pal, Misik Kim and many other friends around the world. I decided to make them connected in my quilt. It’s a fresh thinking, and it made them a meaningful existence in my work. Making it for my 6 challenge is really an extraordinary thing.

I’m the kind of person who hates getting in troubles, so my daily life is very simple, and I follow plans and care every detail. It’s also my attitude in official business. When I was organizing TIQE2012 (Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition 2012), I had many chances to communicate with international artists by e-mails or face-to-face and exchange gifts. These working conversations and meetings always give my body and soul a sense of floating, because I want to take everything seriously and be highly concentrated. These conversations and meetings are just like a biological cell, which stores and expands my life memories and feelings. The cells are knowledgeable and often being stored in the dark for a while, but they are always ready to let me take them out any time and add new elements in. They are everlasting nuclei of life, which carrying the stories of my life.

Precious friendship comes from ordinary days. Delicate literal conversations and enthusiastic meetings with friends are the warmest life exchanges. Its extension is an invisible circle, like a ring. Such profound friendship is beyond distance and time, and connects us firmly.

While sewing this quilt, I made the seams visible, because real friendship needs not to care about outside appearances. I believe every stitch is heartfelt appreciation for year 2012 and every valuable learning experience.

In Chinese thinking, people believe that a circle is a fusion of ordinary and extraordinary things. I use circles to convey my feelings. Wish every letter and gift will be my eternal memory.

p.s. the size of this quilt is much bigger than the original request, because I want to put all the gifts and fabrics on it.

Technique: 100% hand pieced, hand quilted.

Meditating

by Lin Hsin-Chen

Thanks to Ms. Sue Dennis for giving us this interesting challenge.

Recently, I have been busy handling various business reports, budget and final accounts…etc. It’s a long-term stressful job. I’m familiar with dealing these matters, so it seems to be easy and trivial for me. However, those matters are complicated actually. In short, the combination of a series of simple things becomes extraordinary.

I often leave my working environment with complicated emotions, worries or some problems that awaiting to be solved. I expect the change of time and space would help me up with those matters. This week, with an unhealthy heart, I went on an adventure of mountain hiking with a group of experienced elders. Mountain hiking seemed to be an easy thing for them, but for me, I could only follow their path and walked slowly behind them. While walking, I felt kind of nervous, helpless and very unconvinced. I am at least 20 years younger than those walking in front of me, why aren’t I as healthy as them? Undoubtedly, this trip didn’t solve my worries, but increased my hard works and fatigue.

When I finally reached the destination, I shared my hard feelings with the elders. One of them told me it’s just like I could make a quilt easily, but it’s an impossible mission for them. Everyone has their “ordinary” abilities and “extraordinary” expertise. Indeed, the elders concentrated on walking, and focused on the adjustment of footsteps and breathing, while I was walking around and taking photos for my creating. I didn’t concentrate on mountain hiking at all. No wonder the 10-kilometer journey was too exhausting for me.

While we were discussing, a shop nearby showed us an interesting scene. It’s just like reminding us that it’s ordinary for chameleons to change colors, but it’s extraordinary for them to pile up and change the body temperature and color together. What a perfect answer for this trip!

"Dazzled"

by Lin Hsin-Chen

When I received the fifth challenge, I was attending the International Quilt Festival in Houston. It was a grand exhibition, and I felt delighted, joyful and excited. Other than these feelings, I expected myself to stand in the position of learning. Curiosity made me associate with such feelings. I felt the trip was full of imaginations and inspirations.

I entered the exhibiting area of SAQA’s Seasonal Palette, and stood in front of my work, Recovery. As I gazed at my work to its every sewing detail, I discovered that my work actually replaced me as an instructor to narrate my creative ideas to the audience and it even had “conversation” with the audience directly. I felt honored and proud of it, but I also felt kind of worried at the same moment. What did I worry about? I wondered if my work itself really told the audience what I wanted to express. I wondered what kinds of conversation it had with the audience, and I wondered if the audience also put masks on my work. I was confused by these feelings and images and I doubted if I put masks on my work as well. Does everyone have these kinds of notion in their lives no matter by intentionally or unintentionally? How to describe and explain the concept of putting masks on others irresponsibly?

We need courage to pursue every improvement during our life process, to experience every precious details of life, and to amend and change. It is undeniable that we cannot abstain from the dazzled sight given by the world. For our current lives that are redoubtable, watchful, unknown or touchable, we must abandon prejudices. Then, we would find a space where we can control things independently, and learn to contend with the masks that we put on accidentally.

Visual experience is not the only way to judge others. Unfortunately, we may wear complicated eyelashes in advance to cover up our true self. Dear Masks, we don’t want to put you on ourselves or others. However, you do exist in our hearts. Please help us with our intellectual power in the changing lives, so we can ask ourselves not to wear masks and not to put masks on other people.