mending.

I so need to make it down to Lombard-Freid projects by November 14th to see the Mending Project by Lee Mengwei.


The press release states:

The Mending Project, is an interactive conceptual installation that uses the gesture of mending to explore ideas of trust and intimacy between strangers...Trained in weaving by a monk in Taiwan and later as a student at the California College of Art, in this project Mingwei brings together his expertise in sewing with the concept of the gift and reciprocity in his artistic practice...Closing the gap between art and life with the ceremonial serenity of a Buddhist ritual, Mingwei invites the gallery audience to bring in articles of clothing that require mending. However, unlike a tailor whose goal is to hide the tear and restore the article to its original state, Mingwei’s gesture celebrates the rip by leaving a visible mark of brightly colored thread, chosen by the participant. In his effort to expand the potential limits and contexts of transformative experience, the conceptual core of the project becomes the conversation between the participant and the artist as he repairs the garment.

Pretty much all I can say is gorgeous. Conceptually this is such a beautiful and moving project that I am just so excited by it. I love the combination of the simplicity of the idea and the minimalist installation with the highly poetic and conceptual idea.
I think it is really difficult to create art that so perfectly and simply illustrates an essential act of humanity- such as giving- and Lee does it in just the right way.


I cannot wait to see it. And Lee is now so on my radar- his other projects include- The Dining Project, The Letter Writing Project, The Tourist Project, The Sleeping Project.

See more of his work here and here.