Rachel Beckman » Weaver & Textile Designer

Thesis in Print

Some printed goodness for my thesis show. The title of my show is Sealed/Surrendered: Stories From the Loom, and comes complete with a hardbound book featuring photographs of the art of storytelling as well as the original scans of my letterbox stories.  The fiber department at MICA will be purchasing a copy for the archives, which is very exciting.

I am almost done with my thesis work, so it’s been a little crazy in my head and in my house the past few weeks. My final thesis crit is next Thursday so I’m busy putting the finishing touches on hems and hanging devices. My final artist statement is due today, so I’m hoping to post that later on in the evening as well as some thoughts of my journey thus far and a clearer picture of how my work has culminated into this show.

Business Card and Postcard Designs

New business card design, featuring my Juggler’s Scarves set and one of the original sketches.

The front of my postcard for my thesis show boasts a detail of one of my Turkey weavings:

And the back:

As always, thanks goes to my wonderful boyfriend Bryan Connor for his super computer skills. And enduring patience.

Out Into The World

A friendly reminder! I’ll be at the opening from 6:30-7 if you want to stop by and say hi.

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Quick, unrelated edit to today’s news. If you are on the MICA campus tonight, check out the exhibition Seeing Red in the lobby of the Gateway building in support of V-Day and the Vagina Monologues. The opening is from 5-7. From the Facebook event page:

An exhibition of MICA student and faculty work, to accompany the Office of Diversity & Intercultural Development’s 2nd Annual Production of The Vagina Monologues, by promoting themes of the VDAY campaigns: stopping violence against women and children, and celebrating women’s health and multifarious identities.

Curators:
Anna Showers-Cruser
Allison Samuels
Maura Dwyer
Michelle Gomez

Enjoy refreshments and interaction with the artists!

I’ll be there to support my fellow ladies and lady-lovers!

February News!

Holy Fiber Gods folks, February is going to rock, and I’m definitely going to get the most out of the shortest month of the year. Most of the really cool stuff is happening next week, so let’s get to it!

Sweet Soundsuits!

On Tuesday, February 8th, artist Nick Cave is coming to MICA. As his talk is sponsored by the Fiber and Interdisciplinary Sculpture Departments, I’m going to have a chance to have lunch with him on the day of his lecture. My work will accompany other senior fiber work in a slideshow that will be presented during this time. I didn’t win the lottery to have a studio visit with him, but I think the people who did totally deserve it.

Bread and Puppets- All You Need!

The Bread and Puppet Theater is coming through MICA on Friday, February 11th to teach a workshop with the Multi Media Event class as well as the Puppets and Prosthetics class. While I’m not in either of these classes, I was nominated to participate and my interest got me into the workshop! This is the description as was sent to me:

1. Learning how to perform a cantastoria / Becoming familiar with this tradition

2. Developing ‘Kasper’ skits (using large masks to create and perfom short acts)

3. Finding, producing and ‘orchestrating’ sounds using garbage (or may they could bring garbage with them to the workshop)

I am in heaven!

Shows, Shows, Shows

First things first. Many of you know that I did a summer study abroad program in Turkey last year, and I then had to make work in response to my travels. Back in December, I submitted my work to a show that will feature work from all study abroad programs at MICA, and my pieces were accepted. The opening for the show is Friday, February 11th from 5-7 pm in MICA’s Brown Center.

If you’re in Baltimore, come on out to see these guys all close and personal:

Another event that is very dear to my heart is the production of The Vagina Monologues. This year the production highlights women in Haiti, and I feel honored to be delivering the spotlight monologue, a letter from Eve Ensler to activist Myriam Merlet. You can check out MICA’s production Thursday, February 10th and Friday, February 11th at 8pm, and Saturday, February 12th at Midnight. All performances will take place in MICA’s BBOX Theatre. Ticketsare $5 for MICA students and $10 for the general public, available at the school store on Mt. Royal. Limited tickets available at the door.

Finding a Needle in a…

I made an impulsive decision today to apply to the Haystack craft school in Maine. I’m currently deciding what workshop I actually want to take, and convincing people to write letters of recommendation to me (I’m feeling so much love- I have the best support!) in hopes of a full scholarship which I would need to actually attend the program. Wish me luck!

Final Thesis Crit- Fall 2010

Here are a few photos of my set up for my final critique of the semester. I cleaned up my studio and arranged things according to the narrative. Additionally, on Thursday during my crit I will be modeling a new costume, but since I’m still putting a few finishing touches on it I will post pictures later.