New York - Artists Ged Merino and Aze Ong have been engaging in a series of collaborations aptly called “The GedAze Project”. “Open Threads” at Topaz Arts is their fifth collaborative show for 2017.
For “Open Threads” Ged and Aze found a parallel experience in their process of collecting things meant to remind them of their individual journeys. The objects will be incorporated in their works, bound or crocheted to preserve and symbolize their significant experiences.
Based in New York Ged collects things discarded incidentally or intentionally. His migratory history includes a movement of physical things. A collection of comfort scraps, gathered and transferred and bound for the creation of a totally new object. There is a peculiar line between archival gestures and the bonding in the sense of transitional objects. It is a way of collecting artifacts from people’s lives, a sort of archaeological expedition.
Manila based, Aze is currently in New York on a grant from the Asian Cultural Council. The main purpose of the grant is to immerse in the culture. Because of the nature of her work and its tedious process she tends to spend countless hours crocheting pieces to assemble into larger installations at some point. So while in New York she walks around with needle and yarn in hand crocheting in parks, concerts, festivals, bus rides, subways and wherever she goes, unintentionally inviting conversations with onlookers, crocheters and curious folks. The osmosis is fascinating. The conversations are natural.
Conversations from Art, daily life in the city to “open relationships” and other fascinating stories flow. Experiencing the hectic pace of the city and “empowered” by the experience, she felt the need to gather objects as mementos from places like San Francisco and here in NY.
Her exhibitions typically open with a performance where the artist is seen wearing her vivid creations as stylized gestures and percussive rhythms dynamically activate the site. The two artists sometimes collaborate on works, in effect juxtaposing their preferred materials and different approaches to form.
Open Threads, an exhibition by artists Ged Merino and Aze Ong on view September 16 to October 28, 2017. Opening reception Saturday, September 16th, 3-6pm with a performance at 4pm by Aze Ong.
Viewing hours: Saturdays 1-5pm or by appointment – visit@topazarts.org with special public programs by the GedAze Project each Saturday.
TOPAZ ARTS, 55-03 39th Avenue in Woodside, Queens, NY
To learn more, visit http://www.topazarts.org/
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