AMY MEISSNER
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A history of relics.

2/14/2016

6 Comments

 
"(...) A 'romance with the fragment' begins when our childhood pockets fill with relics from the natural world -- in this case, objects found on the shores of Prince William Sound, Alaska -- and later, as adults, when we fill our most vacant spaces with the weight of the spiritual or the worry of the inevitable. The body is the ultimate reliquary for pain and loss; we are shaped and defined by what we cling to despite its apparent worthlessness." 

Amy Meissner, artist statement, juried submission, 2015

A year ago, I finished "Reliquary #8: Scroll," which is currently exhibited at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center as part of the All-Alaska Biennial where it received a Juror's Merit Award. It has lived a short, full life as part of the Reliquary Series -- an on-going exploration of form, found object and reverence for the discarded.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
All-Alaska Biennial, Anchorage Museum
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Solo show, Bunnell Street Arts Center, Homer, AK

The piece took 67.75 hours to complete, not including the work on the old metal dock bollards, which I took up again this fall, concerned about rust bloom and corrosive contact with fragile fabrics. When polishing by hand proved thankless, I burned through fine wire grinders, then white felt polishing wheels now permeated with rusty froth and beeswax.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

These objects now have the luster and heft of cast bronze. The weight of hours. I love them.
Like the other components of this work, they were found in a heap, in some sense rescued.

​In another sense, simply seen and considered and pocketed.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

​Artists submitting to the All-Alaska Biennial were asked to explore the theme of "the authentic North, its people, materials and landscapes, through a variety of interpretations." And while there could be a literalness to this -- all glaciers and arctic foxes and and the sharp sheen of ice -- I feel like I've been in Alaska long enough to present my own authentic relationship to this place.

I feel closest to it in Prince William Sound.
​
​Picking up trash.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

To be clear, I don't use garbage in my artwork, but I use the time handling and hauling it to observe and collect my thoughts on how I fit into this vastness, this depth and solitude, this never-ending work my young family has taken up, not because we are paid or want recognition, but because we love this place and its wildlife.

In our bumbling earnestness, we have been known to foul debris collection data on certain documented (yet, unmarked) beaches. That's been embarrassing to learn, but not enough of an excuse to stop.

We are just one small boat with children and some trash bags.
​
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

Besides, to stop this kind of work is to force oneself to stop seeing. Once your eyes are open to the potential of a thing or a place, how do you close them again?

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

I've been thrilled to see this piece, my thoughts, going out into the world.
​
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Textile Fibre Forum, Issue #120
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Mabel Magazine, issue # 4
Picture
Anchorage Press, Feb. 4, 2016
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

​And since the work doesn't look like much coiled in a cardboard box, I owe a lot of its showmanship to the willingness of my photographer, Brian Adams, who foremost shoots blow-your-mind contemporary portraits of people and place, not objects. But it's probably for this reason he's able to capture the soul of some thing.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

​Or someone.

​In some place.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post A history of relics | www.amymeissner.com/blog/a-history-of-relics

For as remote as I sometimes feel, it's this exact quality that grants me clarity.
I've been in Alaska 15 years, the longest I've lived anywhere.

*    *    *

If you are curious about the work we sometimes do on Alaskan beaches, check out the post What we found, 2 and for work on other, warmer, beaches, there's always the first What we found post.

And, if you wonder about the impetus and/or influences behind my work, please visit the Histories category in the side bar where I share stories and process images. 

The All-Alaska Biennial is on exhibit in Anchorage until April 10, 2016. 
​That Anchorage Press Article is here. Dawnell Smith is a talented writer and a good friend.


You can follow me on Instagram: @amymeissnerartist or on my Facebook Page Amy Meissner, Artist

6 Comments
Jenny M
2/14/2016 06:40:01 pm

Your words hit the mark with me... 'worry of the inevitable' and 'defined by what we cling to despite it's apparent worthlessness', ~ I ask myself do these feelings become stronger as I age? And seeing my dear MIL mentally suffering, as she has very recently gone thru a major downsize and has had to gift to family or donate to an op shop nearly all of her treasured belongings, to move into an aged care facility.
It was so hard to see my MIL pick up an item and tell me a story about who had given that item to her, then to see her so torn about having to choose to keep it or give it away.
Seeing our parents age and having to downsize has made me question, the 'value' of the many items one gathers over our lifetime. By value, I mean the stories and memories attached to each item we hold dear, yet we know that if required we would give up all our treasures to have one more day with a loved one or to be able grant good health to a loved one.
Your work is so beautiful, thank you for sharing your artist statement...such thought provoking words.
PS. I still, at nearly 60, collect relics from the natural world.... seed pods, leaves, a stone....and they sit on my kitchen windowsill.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
2/14/2016 07:24:49 pm

Jenny,
Thank you so much for sharing your story about your mother-in-law. I just spent a day this week with a couple in their 80's who invited me to their home, an hour away, to give me a box of linens, woven cloth and Dutch crochet. It was a very special day for many reasons, but one is that I arrived as a stranger and left as a friend, blessed with history and stories from these rich, filled lives. All we can do is listen and accept the gift of time and important objects and love.
I am so pleased that you read this blog and took time to share your experience here. I know you aren't alone and neither is your mother-in-law, I'm teary with the thought that I will, too, be in your position at some point in time. I wish you many more days with your loved ones, not just one.
Blessings,
Amy

Reply
Anita Joy link
2/23/2016 08:23:18 am

Comedian Ross Noble (everybody's favourite randomist) used to live at St Andrews in Victoria Australia. Back in February 2009, on "Black Saturday", (a take no prisoners bushfire) he had lost his farm home on 100 acres and all its contents.

He said that he realized that he had been the "curator of a collection that no one cares about".

Fortunately, (so far) when I have downsized, it has been by choice not catastrophe..

Reply
Amy Meissner link
2/24/2016 05:40:46 am

Anita Joy,
This feels like such an important reminder. We are all curators of "Collections No One Cares About." My father's house burned down when he was not much older than my son is now and the only thing saved were the inexpensive dishes drying in the rack by the sink. I remember my grandmother telling me that story and wondering, decades later, why she'd grabbed those and not the photo albums. Who can say when it comes to our final moments what will be the mind's response to fleeing? To have the time to go through and consider what to save is really such a blessing.
Thank you for reading and commenting,
XO
Amy

Reply
Dawn Wilson link
11/26/2017 10:00:09 am

Hi Amy,
Just went to see the show in Lowell, MA and loved your work. I took my mother who is an avid quilter and she loved your work too. It was so nice to see it in person and then be able to see your process here in detail. I wish I knew you were going to be here I would have loved to meet you. Following your blog and amazed at your prolific work. I admire your commitment and thought process.
Have an amazing day!

Reply
Amy Meissner link
11/27/2017 11:59:38 am

Hello Dawn,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to drop me a line. I'm so pleased you visited the exhibition at the New England Quilt Museum, what a wonderful opportunity for me to show on the east coast with such an impressive gathering of historic and contemporary work. I, too, would have loved to meet you! Next time.
Take care,
Amy

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    Amy Meissner, textile artist. Photo credit Brian Adams, 2013. www.amymeissner.com

    Amy Meissner

    Artist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other.

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