Forest I: Weaving Project - A 1956 Nash Metropolitain Basketry Covered Car



Earl came across this gem of a project recently when one of his Illustrator student's mentioned she was assisting an artist friend with a project she had launched this year, "Forest I", a cedar bark, plastic strapping, and wool wrapped-twined and plaited full size automobile (1956 Nash Metropolitan) using bark salvaged from urban forests clear cut for condominium developments.

Basket Weaver, Annie Ross along with assistants Jenni Tiles (decoupage) and Robert Pictou have been working on this project which is almost completed since the beginning of this year; from processing the salvaged bark (stripping and pounding), measuring, designing motifs, weaving, decoupaging the interior, living and breathing the project.

Continuing the hand work of her Mayan lineage Annie explains that "Forest I" speaks of colonization, urban sprawl, the concept of trash (bark, considered trash to construction crews); remediating an urban landscape that came from the forest, and what can happen through the act of salvage. Thinking back to the basketry covered glass bottles, the project considers and speaks to the several waves of colonialism upon aboriginal peoples. Spirits are shown by flowers and animals woven in wool. Visit here to read more of the artist's statement.

Cedar Blessing - (see more here)

They were kind enough to allow us to share some of their process here, but to understand the depth and meaning of this project, a visit to Annie's blog, Annie Dancer is definitely recommended.

They are waiting for confirmation mid October of an exhibition here in Vancouver at the Bill Reid Gallery in January.

White Owl - read more here

Interior of roof, pinecone design using dyed biscuit carpentry joints - more here


Annie trimming cedar edges & interior floor decoupaged using maps

Spirits, shown by flowers and animals woven in wool, considers wrapped bottles, wrapped bodies, as its ancestral line.



And we couldn't leave this post without showing some of Annie's beautiful weaved baskets (below) which we are told, she cannot part with. Sigh.

More images can be found by visiting Annie's blog, anniedancer.wordpress.com

Jan Halvarson

17 comments:

3 sous un parapluie said...

love the car...EXTRA ! Samantha

Lisa Viger said...

Wow, that's an interesting project!

Jeannette StG said...

Interesting! Although I'm an artist, I don't know if I would like basketweave on my car -how would I clean it?

by marie-nicole said...

Isn't it just amazing what some people come up with!!!
Fantastic.

Unknown said...

oh, love it!

size too small said...

that's seriously impressive.

dutch sisters said...

An amazing project, it looks great!

MagicMarkingsArt said...

That car is seriously crazy cool. What an amazing combination of talent, heritage, re-used materials and vision. A true example of art at its inspirational best.

Mary said...

That's amazing!!! It reminds me of the girl that did a knit cover for a corvette for her senior thesis at a fashion and design school.

sfgirlbybay said...

just completely incredible. wow!

The House of Lisa said...

Fantastic!

Linda said...

Don't understand how peaople even im agine to do such things?
That is so great!

Evita said...

WOW.

nameless dog in a busy street said...

thank you comment-ers, your support means so much to me!!!! thank you PoppyTalk!!
i am thrilled to be featured here and so excited for this opportunity.
when i gathered the bark for this project from trees cut down in their prime, i promised them i would use their skin to make something beautiful, and i hoped they and my ancestors would help me. thank you trees, thank you beautiful Earth, thank you everyone!

small said...

Best weaving project ever and best car renovation project ever!

Meghan McNally said...

Whhaa? This is amazing! I just stumbled on your site and I think I'm hooked.

Unknown said...

This is AMAZING!

I would LOVE to know more about the application of the weaving once it was created. To be specific, was it glued on? If so, with what? I have a fashion truck and am working on decopaging the interior but I want to add something between the paper and the metal to make it more sound proof. Would love some ideas!! Thanks