hoping to resume soon

Calgary’s winter has been long and with more snow than usual and fewer Chinooks than usual! I’m praying to the weather gawdz that by the end of April, this project will be in full throttle.

update

This project will resume when the weather and season is more amenable. It’s tough expecting people to stitch with gloves on, or to freeze their asses to park benches! I’ve been handling the cloth lately and am enthralled by its weight and feel, looking forward to more interaction with it and other people.

first participants for real :)

I had the good fortune of testing the concept and execution this week for GroundCloth with a couple of visiting friends. I know i gave them a bit too much information initially, but they suspended what they already “knew” and were willing participants. I admit that using “feelings” and “feel” are subjective at best, as i truly don’t know what they felt, but from what i could observe, and that in this case, i actually know, i think these descriptions are very accurate. I may have “interpreted” unknowingly, but my own interaction with the process is also part *of* the process, so valid in my estimation.

B is a 40 year old female artisan. Very relaxed about the procedure and questions, as she has had a lot of experience with the needle arts previously, she choose green first as a symbol of life, also her favourite colour. She was ambivalent about the cloth’s appearance, describing it as dirty and raggedy, quite disturbed by that facet as it implied to her homelessness and squalor, but that the feel of it was warm and soft, “like it was comforting itself”. She expressed that if  cloth is/ is to be comforting and  a soft object, it should be clean.

Her next choice was white,  a colour not usual for her, but that contained purity and innocence for this purpose.  Both times she used the 6 strands of floss as one strand. As she stitched, she was very introspective, saying that she felt a connection to the actual  ground beneath her feet and to her friends and to the past, because of the colours on the cloth and that she had chosen. She did say that at first she didn’t know what to stitch, though obviously a design occurred intuitively, a star that to her represented sparks of life and light that are inherent in everyone, but not always recognized. B chose a spot to work based on a circle stitched on the ground cloth. She was quietly pleased with the result and her feelings after completion.

When asked if she would have participated had i been a stranger who asked her, she said yes, she would have been quite interested.

W is a 46 year old male artisan. He has had experience with a needle and thread sewing on buttons and repairing leather items, but never done any actual needlework before. The cloth was thicker than he anticipated, and the colour(s) reminded him of his own work on motorcycles, so he was comfortable with that aspect. He did however find it uncomfortably warm, but that was the present circumstance rather than the cloth itself. He was partially relaxed, but a little anxious about whether or not he could express his own ideas with an unfamiliar medium. “Thread bends, you can’t really make it lie flat or behave as paint, metal or wood would do.”

He chose beige as his first colour because it was right for the job. He stated that was the way to get the job done and how to get on in/with life, do what needed to be done. He felt a connection with the present,  though had a memory of an artistic friend who was inspiring. The six strands of floss were used as one thread here, and he creatively used a mistake as a tail.

The second colour he chose was blue, his favourite, and with intent, as the motif stitched was a personal symbol, the alpaca, and the water embroidered in blue represented where he was currently residing. He was slightly frustrated by the limit of two colours and the length of each piece (24″) as he thought that would not be enough to express his vision. He was accepting of having to improvise then. W chose to stitch near B’s motif, as they are connected in real life, even facing his alpaca to her shining star.

He stated that if i had been a total stranger who asked him to participate, he would have had said no, thinking i was intrusive and possibly mentally ill.

My reactions: I was quite nervous  myself. I hadn’t printed out the questions and i over explained the idea and the concept. This may have lead the participants to presume what they were expected to do: both iterated that some people may have a fear of doing the wrong thing, not being creative enough, or not having the skill set or level of sophistication. I was very involved with the questions and responses, but had to adjust a conception about what was a personal question with intending or taking offense.

My observations: Because these two knew each other personally, they reacted to each others answers and stitching. If W had gone first,  would B have complemented his work with hers?  How? Do/will personal connections with myself and possibly other participants influence the choice of placement, colour and motif? Both of them did not use every inch of the thread as they felt it was not necessary if the motif was complete in their eyes.

What i learned/realized:

Avoid using quotes in their thoughts—–saying it was right for the job is accurate–saying it was “right” for the job is my interpretation of his meaning. Quotes are acceptable as highlighting something said, but not for emphasis.

Some people may not participate due to hygiene issues–A.the cloth looks dirty because of the colours B. if it’s been handled by many, how do i maintain sanitary procedures and what precautionary measures do i need to take?

People are going to ask what *i* am getting out of this, whether it be money, fame, thrills or research. They are also going to ask personal questions, whether about the project or myself. Interaction and reaction are part of the process, on both sides.

Have the list of questions ready and format answers so there is a formula for transcription.

Anonymity can be preserved, though some may ask to be recognized.

What will i do if someone becomes antagonistic?

What will i do if someone wants to participate but not at the moment? This one i figure they will have to come back after their own task is done: if i am still where they saw me, they can then participate. No appointments will be made.

first participants

I will take GroundCloth to work on Monday and ask my co-workers to add some stitch. Both have sewn in one form or another, whether to replace a button, mend a rip for their children or hem up pants, but usually i get blank, glazed or not “quite sure where she’s coming from” looks. I think if i start on known ground with this, i’ll feel more confident after that first fiasco attempt. Safety net!

I have asked my “Significant Other”, Greyman, to participate as well, but so far he is quite reluctant.

forget the humiliation, soldier on!

After the public embarrassment died down, i checked with City Hall—–i was NOT breaking any laws, require no license or permit, have free use of the streets as long as i am not wreaking havoc or stopping traffic or harassing anyone to participate.

Perhaps the person was a constabulary zealot having an attitude day?

This week unfortunately is impossible to get out there–Calgary is having one of its usual unusual weather spells, and my fingers and mouth will not brave asking people to stitch in near zero temps in the rain and snow!

ABORTED

“Nuisance factor”: cloth snatched from me, threatening words, “possible charges”, no “license”.

thank you

I appreciate the time you took to write to me, privately, on FB or in comments on the blog. I’m slowly assimilating what my feelings are and dealing with the issue. This is one time in my life that i feel no intensity and am not quite sure if it will explode on me unexpectedly someday, or if that’s the way it will always be.When things get back on track (despite the current postings on the blog looking like they are on even ground),  i will probably contact some of you more privately. I value you all highly and thank you again.