Enews 09/18/11 War Rug Project Update 3

Barbara Koenen :: WAR RUG PROJECT UPDATE 3

Making Finishing Interest Art Prize Remembering Thanks The WAR RUG PROJECT @ the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) runs through October 9, 2011 . Art Prize runs from Sept. 21 - Oct 5. Vote for me # 41731 during the first week. Exhibition ends with a print pull on Sunday October 9 at 2 pm.

Making The War Rug Project installation at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is comprised of 3 framed monoprints of the Silk Road War Rug monoprints from 2006 (right), three original war rugs (left), a book, cards and the newly made 9/11 War Rug on a platform. Two of the original rugs are 9/11 war rugs, and one dates from the Soviet occupation in the early 1980s. That carpet is the larger one on the right, and it was the inspiration for the Silk Road prints. Oh yes, and that's me in the middle, working away with the spices. It was surprisingly moving to methodically render the twin towers, their windows, the jets and explosions in spices. It was a relief to make the flags and peace dove, with their big flat planes of color. And especially liberating to be able to make the aircraft carrier and the jets queuing up, all of which seemed quite free-form. Of course I wondered what the weavers thought about the images they were slowly making. The explosions have become flattened and abstracted and the words, originally in English describing the events of 9/11, are long obliterated, as the pattern has been repeated for a decade by weavers who could never read them in the first place. You can see the day-by-day progress here. And read about the 9/11 rugs here. photo by Dianne Carroll Burdick.

Finishing The completed spice installation, Sept 11, 2011 "Twin Towers- Tribute Rug Carpet-9/11 2001- USA History" was completed on the morning of Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. It is named after the title of the original war rug's Ebay listing. The spice installation took about 6 days to make, and It was great to be able to build it while the museum was open, and have many conversations with people while I was making it. Lots of questions about the origin of the patterns, the spices used (the blue is colored sugar), how the prints are made, and what keeps it there (gravity!). The finishing touch was to place the firecracker fringe border that Tim made underneath. Wonderful enthusiasm from the security staff, who are now very concerned that something will happen to the artwork. They are correct! I was there for the first impact, when a little boy dropped his toy onto it. Oops! But, the imperfection lets the rug reveal itself for what it really is. Spices. We will pull prints of the installation on the last day of the show, Sunday October 9 at 2:00 pm. Join us! photo by John Corriveau

Interest Demonstrating the popper firecrackers on the fringe for reporter Tori Pelz. So many family and friends made their way to the GRAM on Sunday, September 11 for my artist talk -- it was wonderful to be surrounded by people we love on that day. My talk went well (from what I hear) as did that of my colleague, the painter David Gillanders. Thanks to curator Cindy Buckner, who combined us as artists who use war as a springboard for philosophical and aesthetic investigations. Here are several articles and interviews about the project that you might enjoy: Fragrant Re-imagining of Afghan War Rugs: An Interview with artist Barbara Koenen by Tori Pelz, a reporter for the Rapidian who actually spent 6 months in Afghanistan in 2004. She interviewed me after my artist talk on 9/11, and I hope to return the favor soon. On the local news -- WZZM The GRAM video photo by Jonathon Timothy Stoner

Art Prize Art Prize is an open art competition and the public is the judge. It takes place from Sept 21 - Oct 5 throughout downtown Grand Rapids, and really transforms the city. The first week has voting for all the artists (thumbs up or down), and the second week is just the top 10. Voting is free, but all voters must register in person (so you can see the art in person!). The Art Prize website has info about places to stay, artist, venues, voting and more. Here is a schedule of events, in case you are able to come up to Grand Rapids. When I went last year I was amazed to see thousands of people walking all over downtown GR, and every one was looking at and talking about art. It is a phenomenal experience and fun for the whole family! If you come, let me know and we can try to connect (I'll be there on weekends.) And if you want to vote for me, I'm # 41731. Sept 21 - 28 :: Art Prize Round One Voting Sept 29 - Oct 5 :: Art Prize Top Ten Voting Oct 6 :: Art Prize Winner Announced Oct 9 :: War Rug Destruction / Printmaking 2 pm @ the GRAM Oct 9 :: Last Day of GRAM exhibition

Remembering September 11, 2011 came and went, and it was good to participate in such a wide spectrum of remembrance. A number of people made a point of coming to the museum to see the 9/11 rug. Veterans, families, even scouts! The War Rug Project helps create a space for contemplation and inclusiveness, ambiguity and complexity. Bear in mind the conservative estimation that between 12,000 and 14,000 Afghan civilians have been killed since 2001. They are killed by crossfire, improvised explosive devices, assassination, bombing, and night raids into houses of suspected insurgents. Unexploded ordnance from previous wars and from U.S. cluster bombs continue to kill after the fighting stops. As we remember 9/11, let's mourn for all the victims, and work together to make a real and lasting peace. And if you'd like to help, consider supporting one of these fine organizations. photo by Dianne Carroll Burdick

Thanks Heartfelt thanks go to the friends of the War Rug Project. Your support makes a huge difference -- spiritually and financially. I could not do this without you! Julie Banzhaf Stone :: Robert J. Tassone :: Chuck Thurow :: William Zbaren and Robert Sharoff :: Delphine Cannon :: Katharine Banzhaf :: Beverly Koenen (thanks Mom!) :: Duane Fimreite :: Janet Carl Smith :: Pat Casler :: Alicia Berg :: Michelle Boone :: Deborah and Glenn Doering :: Carrie Hanson :: Anonymous :: Jackie Kazarian :: Pooja Vukosavich :: Chris Gent :: Shirley Patton :: Kristin Dean :: Kristin Patton :: Carolina Jayaram :: Laura Samson :: Esther Grimm :: Karen Paluzzi Steele :: Carol Reisinger :: Dr. David Hinkamp :: Marguerite Horberg :: Dianna Frid :: :: Annie Morse :: Doug VanderHoof :: Neiman Brothers :: Tim Samuelson :: Alison Neidt Toonen :: Lynn Basa :: Mary Wittig :: John Vinci :: Jane Bretl :: Iain Muirhead :: Adam Brooks :: several anonymous donors!! Special thanks to Samantha, Max and Daniel Koenen, who have been wonderful hosts to their Aunt. And to Elizabeth, who is an amazing mom to them and sister in law to me. And my little brother Rob, the captain of the ship. And of course Tim, my love and sweetheart. I think we've raised the whole $5,000 needed for this phase of the project, but am still reconciling the Indie Gogo website with other contributions. Will start on gifts soon. If you'd still like to help out, click here to learn more. Many thanks to everyone!!

You are receiving this newsletter from artist Barbara Koenen because I thought you might be interested in my artwork. If that is incorrect, my apologies and please unsubscribe at the link below. Thank you!

Enews 09/09/11 War Rug Project Update 2

Barbara Koenen :: WAR RUG PROJECT UPDATE 2 Progress Support Schedule of Events :: Exhibition, Artist Talk and Art Prize 9/11 War Rugs, Then and Now 9/11 War Rugs, Then and Now, Pt. 2 Remembering 9/11 Heartfelt Thanks! The WAR RUG PROJECT runs through October 9, 2011 @ the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). Progress End of Day 3 It is surprisingly moving to methodically render the twin towers, their windows, the jets and explosions in spices. Wondering what the weavers thought about the images they were slowly making, and making again and again. The words no longer mean anything to us, and never did to the weavers in the first place. Many people I've had conversations with in the past few days are fascinated by the war rugs, and unafraid of their complexity. I especially enjoyed my conversation with a dairy farmer, who is also a county commissioner -- and was checking out the art museum between meetings! We talked about land use issues, the satisfaction of farming, and art. It is reassuring. Support Max and Samantha collaborate on reverse engineering. Thanks to everyone's support, the 9/11 spice war rug is under construction at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). My niece and nephew, Samantha and Max, helped with installing the three original Afghan war rugs, very straight and secure. They also figured out how to put the cards in the funny dispenser I designed. It took coordination and cooperation, and they did a great job. Later, Daniel came for the member opening and gave his approval. Bill Dougherty designed lovely frames for the 2006 war rug prints, and a solid platform for the new war rug. He did the heavy lifting on Sunday's install as well, always the professional. Other artists were humming throughout the museum as everyone put the finishing touches on their installations -- everything from bronze female warriors to crystal growing tube construction responding to barometric pressure, to a beautiful sculpture of a wheel and horse hair. Puryear-esque. Lovely. My neighbor has a series of paintings inspired by his grandfather's WW1 reconnaissance flights. Shades of Chuck Close as a landscape painter, thinking about what one sees when traveling fast and at altitude. Beautiful blurs. Schedule of Events :: Exhibition, Artist Talk and Art Prize I'm looking forward to my artist talk this Sunday, September 11, at 2 pm at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). Hopefully the rug will be done by then too, and we can place the fringe underneath as a finishing touch. Join me if you can! The GRAM show consists of the 30 artists they selected for Art Prize. It runs from September 7 - October 9. Nestled within that time is the actual Art Prize event, running from Sept 21 - October 6. Art Prize is an open competition and the public is the judge. The first week has voting for all the artists, and the second week is just the top 10. Voting is free, but all voters must register in person (so you can see the art in person!). The Art Prize website has info about places to stay, artist, venues, voting and more. Here is a schedule of events, in case you are able to come up to Grand Rapids for the installation or Art Prize or both. When I went last year I loved seeing thousands of people walking all over downtown GR, all looking at and talking about art. It is interesting and fun for the whole family! Sept 8 - 11 :: War Rug Construction 10 am - 2 pm (at least) @ the GRAM Sept 11 :: My Artist Talk 2 pm @ the GRAM Sept 21 - 28 :: Art Prize Round One Voting Sept 29 - Oct 5 :: Art Prize Top Ten Voting Oct 6 :: Art Prize Winner Announced Oct 9 :: War Rug Destruction / Printmaking 2 pm @ the GRAM Oct 9 :: Last Day of GRAM exhibition 9/11 War Rugs, Then and Now Lynn's 9-11 War Rug from 2001 War rugs originate from the 1979 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and mostly depict patterns of weapons, and sometimes maps of specific events or places. 9/11 Rugs appeared shortly after the terrorist attacks in 2001 and subsequent US invasion of Afghanistan. Last month, we purchased a new "9/11" war rug on Ebay, and then my friend, the artist Lynn Basa, lent me one she purchased shortly after the attack in 2001. It's interesting to compare the two. Both rugs depict the World Trade Center with jets flying into the twin towers simultaneously, which didn't really happen. It looks as though the image was based on a collage of media photographs from the separate attacks. Both rugs depict US and Afghan flags, with a superimposed dove of peace linking them. The he outline of Afghanistan is in the background, and the base of the composition has a US aircraft carrier with jets queuing on board and taking off, and a missle being launched. 9/11 War Rugs, Then and Now, Pt. 2 My 9/11 War Rug, dating from 2011. But notice the differences between the earlier war rug and the recent iteration. In 2001, all the words are in English, and very legible. There is a lot of detail, especially in the line drawings of helicopter, jets and the windows of the World Trade Center. The palette is very simple and reductive, and curiously, the stars of US flag are reversed. In the same way that a cartoon that has been xeroxed or faxed over and over eventually loses its meaning, or when the game of Telephone ends up telling a different story after being whispered in so many ears, much of the detail in the new version of the 9/11 War Rug doesn't read like the original. None of the words are legible, except the year "2001" and the letters "USA". There is more color and experimentation with the design, and the jet explosions have become oddly flattened. Many X's fill in the background, depicting, perhaps, explosions, mines or casualties (experienced or anticipated). Thousands of these rugs have been made since 2001, yet it is virtually impossible to know who the original artist is, or who the many different weavers now are. They may be in Afghanistan or in a refugee camp in Pakistan. They are probably women, possibly children, and quite possibly confined to their home, illiterate and forbidden to leave unescorted by a male relative. These rugs are collected by soldiers, including General Tommy Franks who famously bought a bunch as souvenirs and gifts when he retired, and by people like me. They have almost no value for commercial rug dealers, yet they continue to be made, as the tragedy continues to evolve and people need somehow to remember. Remembering 9/11 Our nation is bracing itself to remember the horror of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93 as we approach its 10th anniversary. The whole world continues to feel the effects of this tragedy, with heightened security, fear and unease now much more a part of daily life, and the emotional and physical scars of the victims, our armed forces, and their families will be endured for years to come. Its just as important, though, to remember all the innocent people in Afghanistan who have been affected by the events of 9/11. And those in Iraq and even Pakistan. So many of them are women and children, powerless victims without control over their surroundings. It is conservatively estimated that betwen 12,000 and 14,000 Afghan civilians have been killed since 2001. They are killed by crossfire, improvised explosive devices, assassination, bombing, and night raids into houses of suspected insurgents. Unexploded ordnance from previous wars and from U.S. cluster bombs continue to kill after the fighting stops. The hospitals in Afghanistan are treating increasing numbers of amputees and burn patients, and in 2009, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health said two-thirds of Afghans suffer mental health problems. As we remember 9/11, let's expand our mourning for all the victims, and work together to make a real and lasting peace. Let us not abandon them, but let us not assume dominion either. And if you'd like to help, consider supporting one of these fine organizations. Heartfelt Thanks! Heartfelt thanks go to the friends of the War Rug Project. Your support means so much -- spiritually as well as financially. I could not do this without you! Julie Banzhaf Stone :: Robert J. Tassone :: Chuck Thurow :: William Zbaren and Robert Sharoff :: Delphine Cannon :: Katharine Banzhaf :: Beverly Koenen (thanks Mom!) :: Duane Fimreite :: Janet Carl Smith :: Pat Casler :: Alicia Berg :: Michelle Boone :: Deborah and Glenn Doering :: Carrie Hanson :: Anonymous :: Jackie Kazarian :: Pooja Vukosavich :: Chris Gent :: Shirley Patton :: Kristin Dean :: Kristin Patton :: Carolina Jayaram :: Laura Samson :: Esther Grimm :: Karen Paluzzi Steele :: Carol Reisinger :: Dr. David Hinkamp :: Marguerite Horberg :: Dianna Frid :: :: Annie Morse :: Doug VanderHoof :: Neiman Brothers :: Tim Samuelson :: Alison Neidt Toonen :: Lynn Basa :: Rob, Elizabeth, Samantha, Max and Daniel Koenen We're close to raising the whole $5,000 needed for this phase of the project. If you'd like to help out, click here to learn more. You are receiving this newsletter from artist Barbara Koenen because I thought you might be interested in my artwork. If that is incorrect, my apologies and please unsubscribe at the link below. Thank you!

Enews 08-28-11 War Rug Project Update

Preparations are Underway... Thanks to everyone's support, preparations are well underway for the upcoming War Rug Project installation at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). Tim is hard at work gluing Stars and Bars "popper" firecrackers to cotton cord to make the fringe we'll use (thanks Sweetie!), while I'm drawing out the pattern on a special felt mat. Fresh spices have been purchased at my favorite wholesaler, Neiman Brothers. Poppyseeds, allspice, turmeric, cinnamon, sesame, ginger, coriander and more all look, smell and feel amazing. We purchased a new "9/11" war rug on Ebay for the project, and also borrowed an older one one from my friend, the artist Lynn Basa. It's interesting to compare the two, which I've done below. Allison Neidt Toonan worked her graphic design magic on some 50 variations of cards for the project. The awesome Bill Dougherty is building platforms and frames. My friend and videographer Doug VanderHoof is making a short video about the project, which I'll share with you soon.

Schedule of Events :: GRAM Exhibition and Art Prize The GRAM show consists of the 30 artists they selected for Art Prize. It runs from September 7 - October 9. Nestled within that time is the actual Art Prize event, running from Sept 21 - October 6. Art Prize is an open competition and the public is the judge. The first week has voting for all the artists, and the second week is just the top 10. Voting is free, but all voters must register in person (so you can see the art in person!). The Art Prize website has info about places to stay, artist, venues, voting and more. Here is a schedule of events, in case you are able to come up to Grand Rapids for the installation or Art Prize or both. When I went last year I loved seeing thousands of people walking all over downtown GR, all looking at and talking about art. It is interesting and fun for the whole family! Sept 8 - 11 :: War Rug Construction 10 am - 2 pm (at least) @ the GRAM Sept 11 :: My Artist Talk 2 pm @ the GRAM Sept 21 - 28 :: Art Prize Round One Voting Sept 29 - Oct 5 :: Art Prize Top Ten Voting Oct 6 :: Art Prize Winner Announced Oct 9 :: War Rug Destruction / Printmaking 2 pm @ the GRAM Oct 9 :: Last Day of GRAM exhibition

9/11 War Rugs, Then and Now Lynn's 9-11 War Rug from 2001 Last month, we purchased a new "9/11" war rug on Ebay, and then my friend, the artist Lynn Basa, lent me one she purchased shortly after the attack in 2001. It's interesting to compare the two. War rugs originate from the 1979 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and mostly depict patterns of weapons, and sometimes maps of specific events or places. 9/11 Rugs appeared shortly after the terrorist attacks in 2001 and subsequent US invasion of Afghanistan. Both Lynn's and my 9/11 rugs depict the World Trade Center with jets flying into both towers simultaneously. It looks as though the image was based on a collage of media photographs from both seperate attacks. Both rugs depict US and Afghan flags, with a superimposed dove of peace linking them. Both have the outline of Afghanistan in the background. Both are anchored by a closeup of a US aircraft carrier with jets on board and taking off, and a missle being launched. But notice the differences. On Lynn's earlier rug, all the words are in English, and very legible. There is a lot of detail, especially in the line drawings of helicopter, jets and the windows of the World Trade Center. The palette is very simple and reductive, and curiously, the stars of US flag are reversed.

9/11 War Rugs, Then and Now, Pt. 2 My 9/11 War Rug, dating from 2011. In the same way that a cartoon that has been xeroxed or faxed over and over eventually loses its meaning, or when the game of Telephone ends up telling a different story after being whispered in so many ears, much of the detail in the new version of the 9/11 War Rug doesn't read like the original. None of the words are legible, except the year "2001" and the letters "USA". There is more color and experimentation with the design, and the jet explosions have become oddly flattened. Many X's fill in the background, depicting, perhaps, explosions, mines or casualties (experienced or anticipated). Thousands of these rugs have been made since 2001, yet it is virtually impossible to know who the original artist is, or who the many different weavers now are. They may be in Afghanistan or in a refugee camp in Pakistan. They are probably women, possibly children, and if located in the countryside, quite possibly confined to their home, illiterate and forbidden to leave unescorted by a male relative. These rugs are collected by soldiers, including General Tommy Franks who famously bought a bunch as souvenirs and gifts when he retired, and by people like me. They have almost no value for commercial rug dealers, yet they continue to be made, as the tragedy continues to evolve and people need somehow to remember.

Remembering 9/11 Children killed this year in a helicopter attack. Our nation is bracing itself to remember the horror of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93 as we approach its 10th anniversary. The whole world continues to feel the effects of this tragedy, with heightened security, fear and unease now much more a part of daily life, and the emotional and physical scars of the victims, our armed forces, and their families will be endured for years to come. Its just as important, though, to remember all the innocent people in Afghanistan who have been affected by the events of 9/11. And those in Iraq and even Pakistan. So many of them are women and children, powerless victims without control over their surroundings. It is conservatively estimated that betwen 12,000 and 14,000 Afghan civilians have been killed since 2001. They are killed by crossfire, improvised explosive devices, assassination, bombing, and night raids into houses of suspected insurgents. Unexploded ordnance from previous wars and from U.S. cluster bombs continue to kill after the fighting stops. The hospitals in Afghanistan are treating increasing numbers of amputees and burn patients, and in 2009, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health said two-thirds of Afghans suffer mental health problems. As we remember 9/11, let's expand our mourning for all the victims, and work together to make a real and lasting peace. Let us not abandon them, but let us not assume dominion either. And if you'd like to help, consider supporting one of these fine organizations.

Heartfelt Thanks! Heartfelt thanks go to the friends of the War Rug Project. Your support means so much -- spiritually as well as financially. I could not do this without you! Julie Banzhaf Stone :: Robert J. Tassone :: Chuck Thurow :: William Zbaren and Robert Sharoff :: Delphine Cannon :: Katharine Banzhaf :: Beverly Koenen (thanks Mom!) :: Duane Fimreite :: Janet Carl Smith :: Pat Casler :: Alicia Berg :: Michelle Boone :: Deborah and Glenn Doering :: Carrie Hanson :: Anonymous :: Jackie Kazarian :: Pooja Vukosavich :: Chris Gent :: Shirley Patton :: Kristin Dean :: Kristin Patton :: Carolina Jayaram :: Laura Samson :: Esther Grimm :: Karen Paluzzi Steele :: Carol Reisinger :: Dr. David Hinkamp :: Marguerite Horberg :: Dianna Frid :: :: Annie Morse :: Doug VanderHoof :: Neiman Brothers :: Tim Samuelson :: Alison Neidt Toonen :: Lynn Basa :: Rob, Elizabeth, Samantha, Max and Daniel Koenen We're close to raising the whole $5,000 needed for this phase of the project. If you'd like to help out, click here to learn more.

Enews 08/08/11

war rugs, pomegranates, and other musings...

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The War Rug Project in Grand Rapids is less than a month away... Plans are underway for the War Rug Project installation next month. Starting on September 6, I will be building the first 9/11 Afghan War Rug out of loose spices in a temporary installation at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. All of the eight previous war rugs I've recreated have been found on Ebay -- and the 9/11 Rug will be no exception. Here is its Ebay listing, which provides the title of the artwork and the monoprints: The "Twin Towers-Tribute Rug Carpet-9/11 2001- USA History" has arrived from Tucson, and I'm planning the spices and construction process now. These 9/11 rugs are different from the Soviet-era carpets. They draw from media imagery and images from US/Coalition Forces propaganda, like this image of flags and a dove of peace that was made into stickers and leaflets: courtesy of http://www.warrug.com/pages/psyops.php HEARTFELT THANKS TO the following people who've lent their support to the War Rug Project: Chuck Thurow + Kathy Banzhaf + Karen Paluzzi Steele + Pooja Vukosavich + Kristin Dean + Chris Gent + Laura Samson + Kristin Patton + Carol Reisinger + David Hinkamp + Marguerite Horberg + Dianna Frid + Esther Grimm + Carolina Jayaram + Beverly Koenen (thanks Mom!) + Robert Tassone Each has helped me raise $5,000 to cover costs associated with the War Rug Project installation at the Grand Rapids Art Museum: Framing three large spice monoprints. Building a platform for the new 9/11 war rug. Shipping the artwork. Documenting the creation and the destruction of the new war rug. Designing and printing a War Rug Project trading card. Producing a book about the project. And no doubt something else I haven't thought of yet! All of these add up to a great exhibit, and a bit of an investment. If you can help with a gift of anywhere from $10 to $5,000, I have a gift for you, along with heartfelt gratitude. See the new gift options and learn more about the War Rug Project on my Indie Go Go webpage. ARTIST TALK I'll be giving an Artist Talk on Sunday September 11, 2011 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. We don't hear enough about the women of Afghanistan, so I'll be talking about them and their troubled situation. Some articles I'm reading now in preparation include Afghan Women at the Crossroads by Michael Soussan It is impossible to say, now, what would have happened... by Geraldine Brooks Why Peace is the Business of Men... and Shouldn't Be by Ann Jones Afghan Women under Tyranny RAWA.org and the video "ReThink Afghanistan - Women" If you have any questions, suggestions or thoughts you'd like to share about the War Rug Project, please email me at koenen@gmail.com. SPREAD THE WORD Pass along this email to let your friends know about the War Rug Project as it develops, and remind them to sign up for Enews. Thanks for your support! Barbara Koenen www.barbarakoenen.com

Enews 07/25/11 "War Rug Project Update - Fundraising"

The War Rug Project
Fundraising Campaign Launched!

Dear Friend,

This fall, on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, I've been invited to make a Spice War Rug installation at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. It is a momentous opportunity for reflection and commemoration, and I have resolved that the installation will be my most ambitious project yet. It is part of the 2011 Art Prize competition, and I could use your help...

I'm trying to raise $5,000 to cover costs associated with the exhibit. Framing three large spice monoprints. Creating a platform for the new 9/11 war rug. Shipping the artwork. Documenting the creation and the destruction of the new war rug. Designing and printing a War Rug Project trading card. Producing a book about the project.

 All of these add up to a great exhibit, and a bit of an investment. If you can help with a gift of anywhere from $10 to $5,000, I have a gift for you, along with heartfelt gratitude. You can learn more about the War Rug Project, and see the various options on my Indie Go Go webpage.

And, if you have any questions, suggestions or reminiscences you'd like to share about the War Rug Project, please email me at koenen@gmail.com.

I'll be sending out more emails about the project as it develops, including the talk I'll be giving in Grand Rapids on Sept 11, and the whole Art Prize that will follow, so stay tuned!

And thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Barbara Koenen
www.barbarakoenen.com

Enews 07/16/11 "Summer Muse... Arts Enews"

Enews from Barbara Koenen

Summer Muse

Dear Friend,

"They are heavy in my hand. Round, lumpy, fecund. If I threw them against a wall they would explode, fragments of pulp and red stain..."

This is the beginning of my essay, Muse, which appears in the Summer issue of Gastronomica, the Journal of Food and Culture.
It is an anecdotal reminiscence about pomegranates and hand grenades and their odd, unfortunate centuries-old relationship, accompanied by the beautiful photograph (above) taken by my friend, photographer William Zbaren.

The essay stems from a 2007 installation I did at Finestra Art Space in the Fine Arts Building. You can see some photos if you missed it, and reviews on my website, www.barbarakoenen.com. Gastronomica is available at Whole Foods or online here. Also wonderful articles on John Cage and Mycology, foraging in Oregon, and the politics of sustainability. The whole issue is a real treat.

Coming Soon-- The War Rug Project

It is hard to believe that its been almost 10 years since terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, and we went to war in Afghanistan. I've been creating installations based on Afghan war rugs ever since, in some attempt to digest, resolve, and commemorate the sacrifices that have resulted from these tragic events.

This September, I will be making a new war rug installation -- this time based on a 9/11 war rug. I will be making it at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which has selected me to exhibit during the 2011 Art Prize competition. The exhibition will run from September 6 - October 21, and I encourage you to consider making the trip to attend.

War Rugs?
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in the late 1970s, Afghan women, the traditional weavers, began to incorporate pictures of weapons into their traditional floral, animal and geometric patterns. Subtle at first, soon rifles, grenades, tanks, AK-47s, helicopters, landmines and bullets dominated these strange textiles, erasing centuries of previous motifs.


I adopted the practice of the Tibetan Buddhist monks who make elaborate sand mandalas that they then destroy, and began to reconstruct Afghan War Rugs like mandalas, using spices instead of sand. A meditation, my spice war rugs take up to a week to complete, with fringe and popper firecrackers attached. Like the mandalas, they exist only temporarily, and are often touched, inhaled, even walked on. At first, I swept up the spices into jars at the end of each exhibition. Now I record the pieces as “monoprints,” which retain the pattern of the installation, its scent and color. I've made 8 war rugs so far, and you can see them here.

The War Rug Project
There will be several stages to the project.
Sept 6-11 Creation
Sept 11 Artists Talk, Ten Years After
Sept 21 - 28 Art Prize Voting
Sept 29 - Oct 9 Art Prize Round 2
Oct 21 Closing Ceremony / Monoprint Pull

At the conclusion of the exhibit, I will make a book that documents the 10 year project as an art work and an intellectual journey.

Why Art Prize?
My brother's family invited me to Grand Rapids last year to see Art Prize, an open, city-wide art exhibition and competition, and I went out of curiosity. I was amazed to see over 100,000 people walking all around town, and everyone was talking about art. Families, couples, kids. For three weeks straight! I decided Art Prize was an excellent opportunity to start a lot of conversations about war rugs, Buddhist mandalas, and the lost voices of Afghan women.

So, stay tuned for more details and think about a trip to Grand Rapids sometime this fall. It's guaranteed to be an interesting experience!


What else?

Wishing you a happy summer, and stay tuned for more about the War Rug Project. If you have thoughts or observations related to the project, the war, the rugs or the status of women that you'd like to share, please email me at koenen@gmail.com And of course tell your friends, if they are interested in this sort of thing.

All the best,

Barbara Koenen