In Deep Water - We’re in this Together
The Live Forever Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan 2023-24
Jane Ingram Allen and Jami Taback
This exhibition is the result of a collaboration that began in August 2021 between two Northern California artists, Jami Taback, a printmaking artist ad Jane Ingram Allen, a papermaking artist. Both artists are concerned about our climate change crisis and environmental problems related to water, including rising seas, warming oceans, droughts and flooding, wildfires, more severe storms and increasing shortages of clean fresh water for humans and all life.
This site-specific installation “We’re in this Together” at The Live Forever Foundation in Taiwan presents the water crisis as a global issue and that we all have to work together because we share this climate change crisis. By bringing more public attention to water (the essential element for life) maybe people can realize that our planet is in crisis and make changes that can positively affect global warming, pollution and other problems caused by climate change.
The two artists have worked together in a collaborative process to create this multi-part sculptural art installation. The project has already resulted in three public exhibitions, one in Sonoma, CA (Sonoma Community Center Gallery), and one in Glassboro, NJ (Rowan University, Discovery Hall Lobby) and one at Gallery Route One’s Project Space in Point Reyes Station, California. The last exhibition at The Tides Converge Galleries, the Presidio, San Francisco we focused on the hope that we are turning the tide and that we can solve our climate crisis before it’s too late.
Both artists are committed to making art using sustainable methods and materials and using their art to bring more immediate public attention to climate change and water issues. The artwork shows the terrible beauty and dichotomy of water as it can become out of control and raging, while at other times it is calm and refreshing. Our current environmental crisis continues, and we are “in deep water”, but still there is hope for making changes and turning the tide.
The artwork produced for this project makes use of printmaking and hand papermaking to create an immersive multi-part modular large-scale art installation. The artwork is primarily in a color scheme referencing water with out-of-control seas and swirling flood waters using many shades of blue, gray and white with accents of orange and black referencing wildfires. There are torn and burned holes in the artwork and swirling strings uniting the elements. This artwork makes use of each artists’ area of expertise and takes advantage of unexpected happenings in an artistic dialogue. It can be installed in a variety of ways to create site-specific installations in different exhibition spaces and generate dialogue about climate change and ways to meet the crisis.
Installation at The Live Forever Foundation
Workshop and Demonstration in Papermaking and Printmaking Art
For “In Deep Water” exhibition in Taiwan at Live Forever Foundation
Instructors: Jane Ingram Allen – Hand Papermaking and Jami Taback – Printmaking.
Both artists will assist with each part of the workshop, since both artists have learned from each other as they collaborated for this project.
For hand papermaking we used abaca and kozo pulp that is dyed in shades of blue with some pulp that is white or off white. Artists brought the papermaking molds and deckles and other papermaking supplies.
The Foundation supplied 4 plastic bins or tubs for vats, each about 12 inches deep and 18” wide and 24” long. Jane provided photos of acceptable bins for vats and more details about where to get them. The Foundation also provided 4-6 plastic buckets for the papermaking. The Foundation additionally provided a place for this part of the workshop that has a sink or hose for water and electric plug for a blender. The workshop space had 6 tables that are okay to get wet and chairs for all participants and instructors. The space was located on the ground floor with access to outdoors for drying on a clothesline. The space had a sink for water, a hose, and an electric outlet for a kitchen blender.
For Printmaking we used non-toxic water-soluble inks and intaglio and relief plates that Jami will bring. Jami brought the inks and a plastic sheet, brayers and fabric to apply the ink. The Foundation supplied a small printing press with bed about 12-18” wide and blankets/felts that go with it. Artists provided more details and a photo of the type of press needed. The Foundation provided 6 tables for working on and doing the printmaking and chairs for all participants and instructors. The same tables were used after the papermaking is cleaned up and removed. Each participant made prints on the handmade paper made in the first part of the workshop.
For Putting Together/Collage we used the same tables used for printmaking, and each person worked on a piece of plastic sheeting to make it easy to take off after the work is dry and also to protect table from the acrylic gel used as glue. The Foundation, or each participant provided acrylic paint brushes for use with the gel, and water containers such as recycled plastic yogurt containers. Flat Brushes that are about ½” wide are a good size to use. Artists had provided photos of brushes that can be used, and they can be found at most art supply stores. The artists brought the appropriate acrylic gel for glue. Each participant had a brush and also scissors to use. We also need an assortment of cotton, linen, hemp, or silk threads (100% natural fibers) in colors of blue, white, turquoise, navy blue, black, orange, red and gray. The thread used was to be not too thick, and the artists provided photos of acceptable threads and bring some threads with them.