SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
HAYSTACK ARTWORKS
The art of documenting nature.
Note: The Haystack papermaking artworks were acquired by the Thomas Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. The artworks are held in the Robert Hauser, Busyhaus Collection, Paper on Paper Archive.
The three day hand papermaking workshop included twelve students and the instructors, Sue Gosin, Cynthia Thompson and Kathrine DeLamater. A variety of plant fibers (abaca, cotton, linen, etc.) were pulped using a mechanical Hollander Beater. Students were instructed in the use of Western and Japanese papermaking methods, stencil patterns, multiple couching, the use of pigmented dyes and pulp painting, collage, felt pressing and drying techniques.
The Haystack Fabrication Lab assisted with the computer designing and laser printing of vinyl watermarks. The watermarks were adhered onto screening that was applied onto the hand papermaking screening of the moulds used to form watermarked papers. When not involved in the papermaking process students were instructed in hand bookbinding sewing & paper folding techniques.
The two weeks of hand papermaking were intense… as were the frequent rain storms that made papermaking outdoors complicated. Heroic efforts at drying papers indoors were made at the same time students outdoors were making more paper. The collection of five Haystack Artworks were created while attending the papermaking workshop. The medium includes the experimental use of hand formed paper shapes and the collage inclusion of natural found materials. The intent of these works is to document the natural environment and working conditions the artworks were made.
Note:
ARTWORKS: All are matted and measure 16″ x 12″ x 1″ size includes mat (depths vary). FRAMING: Framed in a natural finished wood using archival materials with ultraviolet filtering Plexiglass. Artworks are comprised of natural organic and recyclable materials.
INSTRUCTORS: Sue Gosin, President and Board Member of the Dieu Donne Paper Mill, New York, N.Y. Cynthia Thompson, Director & Associate Professor, MFA Book Arts/Printmaking & Studio Art, College of Media & Design, Philadelphia, PA. Katharine DeLamater, Print & Papermaking Technician (Graduate of Mount Holyoke College).
1.Three other unframed Haystack artworks 6.Trees & Water, 7.Specimen Keepsakes, 8. Hand Watermark is stored in the Paper on Paper Archive (Solander Box no. 4.) at the Thomas Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut. Other materials from this workshop are stored in the folder American Hand Papermakers (Box 2. H-O).
HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN SCHOOL OF CRAFTS: PAPERMAKING & BOOK ARTS/SESSION THREE: JULY 19-31, 2015.
POST OFFICE BOX 518, DEER ISLE, MAINE, 04627 • www.haystack-mtn.org