FASHION.
verb. to give shape or form to : to make, construct, or create (something) usually with careful attention. example: she fashioned a construct in which people could confess transparently.
For Mainframe’s May First Friday Style Guides, I decided to take a different spin on fashion. Continue reading to learn more about the igloo you see before you and the contents inside.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONFESS?
The Creative Confessional is a pop-up portrait experience, exploring the authenticity of sharing your creative trials and errors — the wins and losses, dreams and dreams dashed. The images created within the experience are authentic, inspired, hopeful and honest — a true representation of humanity and the arts. You can learn more about the experience at www.creativeconfessional.com.
Creative Confessional at Witching Hour, 2017
SEE FOR YOURSELF | EYE SEE YOU
In the fall of 2016 I began my fascination with eyeballs. Female Gaze was a collaborative exhibition featuring art by members of the DSM Girl Gang (RIP). Fellow Mainframe artist Claire Sedovic and I created an interactive installation encouraging viewers to engage with the artwork by taking an eyeball with them.
Since that time, I’ve continued to create these all-seeing eyes, serving as a talisman for strangers and friends to know they are seen. My daughter Margaux, helped me create this latest batch.
See For Yourself (October 2016) encouraged viewers to engage with the artwork. “Take an eye with you. Remember how you felt exploring this topic. Place it in your purse or pocket and allow it to generate additional thought and dialogue each time you hold it in your hand. The piece of artwork is meant to last only until the last eye is taken.” Photo by Meanz Chan, courtesy of Janelle Ketcher.
ARTISTS AS INSPIRATION
When the world shut down over one year ago, my photography career (which included traveling across the country with the Creative Confessional) came to a screeching halt. My priority had to shift from authentic and intimate portraiture to becoming a teacher for my two children, at that time ages four and ten.
While I wrote about the experience here, one of the many outcomes was a proliferation of artwork created under our roof, both separately and together. Proving we’re all in this art game together, Finn Graves debuts his limited edition merchandise ART IS KING as his fashion entry into Mainframe’s Style Guides.
Art is King, design and limited addition merchandise by Finn Graves