"Whether we call it collecting, scavenging, accumulating, scrounging, gathering, or junking, it's all about the urge to surround ourselves with our stuff, our loot, our stash, our hoard, our mother lode of treasures, and to reap the inspiration that these sometimes inexplicably irresistible objects provide." Lynne Perrella, from her book ART MAKING, COLLECTIONS & OBSESSIONS. This is a wonderful book which includes the collections and artwork of 35 wonderful artists. You can find out more about this book and how to acquire it here.
We do love things that bear the marks of grime,
soot, and weather, and we love colors
and sheen that call to mind the past that
made them. ---Tanizaki Junichiro
soot, and weather, and we love colors
and sheen that call to mind the past that
made them. ---Tanizaki Junichiro
38 comments:
incredible FINDS...always loving the hunt, but to be in japan and find these luscious pieces, what can i say but WOW...
The book Art Making is indeed a book that to some or maybe many, validates their collection(s). Some of us and our spouses do not understand what drives artist into collecting so many different things, filling the house with (in their words) useless junk.
I gave this book to a good friend, who a few days later expressed relieve knowing that there are other artists with this obsession. She felt better about herself, at least for a day or two.
The photographs of your treasures are 'to die for'.
You have returned with material that I find very precious and I hope that before using it, you would scan the material at high resolution to at least 1:1 ratio for possible digital collage making in the future.
So much wonderful material is lost when not saved digitally and this would be rather sad.
Enjoy your treasure.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and all the very best,
Egmont
My eyes popped out of my head!
I wanna go there now,
I'm racing downstairs to tell the gorgeous one. Standby.
the photographs of your finds are works of art.. such fabulous treasures..what will you do with them? Art Making is indeed a must have...it validates obsessions and gives us ideas how to expand our collections...
Hi Donna
what loot!!!
How exciting and thanks for giving the dates of the markets for future reference.
I agree with Egmont, I always scan documents and use the replica, the loot is too good to use except maybe for something special...
I love to handle old materials that have been touched by 'the ancestors'
I love Lynne Perrella's 'aplphabetica' so will get the one you recommend...
Happy creating
Lynne Perrella's book is beautiful, as is your presentation. The markets sound so intoxicating. I love the Tanizaki Junichiro quote.
Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your evening.
Donna, An incredible collection of stuff...what finds! You must have been breathless with all that you touched!
Thank you for the book link, it looks like a great one for my wish list.
Fascinating subject! I think I'm a collector who doesn't actually collect things. In my photography I collect textures and images and then put them together, as you do with your real objects.
It's a tradeoff - I can probably do more to the images in digital form, but they do lack the tactile richness of the real thing.
I think I'll get the book for my wife for Christmas - right up her alley as she does a lot of collage.
Do you remember her? She took one of your workshops a year or so ago (susancornelis.wordpress.com).
Oh yes...we so love these 'things'...
Wow Donna, I head out to the studio for the day and come in to find this awesome post! Great finds, these. I know you will love using them in your work. I ripped apart a small book in German today, thinking I would use the spine. The book binder had used a scrap of paper behind the spine – and it was an old map in black and white! I felt like I really found something! The work of William Dole – I must have that book! I hope it is still available. You have exquisite taste. I bet you feel rich in Japanese ephemera.
a great eye for simple gifts and patina splendor
I have chronic butterflies looking at these amazing finds and I'm not sure my heart could take such an amazing market. You must have been in your element Donna!!!
I do appreciate being able to look at these photos enlarged. Thank you!
Love the old asian tools in your sidebar. (Thanks too for the mention)
Your awesome collections from Japanese markets have left me practically speechless, I think you will have to scan these before you can use them in any artwork, they are much too precious to use the originals. I also think the Asian tools are excellent. I will be returning to your blog frequently just to drool over the 'goodies'.
Wow! You picked up some nice pieces from the flea market. I always wanted to go to the Kyoto flea market when I lived in Japan, but it was a bit far from where I lived at the time. But it wasn't so bad. There were other flea markets that I enjoyed in my area of Japan.
What stunning bits and pieces. Looking forward to seeing what becomes of them.
Seeing them presented here has already been an inspiration. Lovely photos!
Perhaps I will purchase that book finally. I do have quite a collection of creativity books.
Thanks for the book recommendation Donna. My list is growing a little too fast these days. Periodically I treat myself. Your photos of finds are exquisite in themselves. Happy Sunday!
It seems that I've discovered something among your finds myself. :)
the last photo... is it a book? looks like a stab binding at the top and the color and age of it has me swooning...! what a lovely collection of treasures!
the last image here is the cover of an old book-- worn and weathered and simply beautiful to my eyes.
Great collection of finds!
what amazingly wonderful treasures! i can't stop looking at each of the photos -- gorgeous!
I love each and everything you bought. What a great opportunity you had and what amazing flea markets they must have been. One day... And what funny timing that just a few days ago I just pulled Lynne's book off my shelf to read again!
I feel like I've stumbled into a candy shop. I love artfully displayed treasures but to find Asian treasures is such an eye popping treat for me. Like all the other commenters I love your treasures but you have a special flare I think for making us "want" them.
So many gorgeous things to feast my eyes on, on your site. And shucks I so wanted Suki to be my designated driver!
the pure zen of finding --
There is something about flea markets... about the discovery, about finding a new use for, about it being the perfect things for a new project... something about its inspiration... something about the life before, and now the new life to come...
As a hunter and gatherer, and lover of all things Japanese, I adored this post!!
Great purchases Donna. Will you permit your photographs to be printed or are you retaining copyright?
I'd love to be able to play with some of the images.
How absolutely wonderful to have found so much treasure! I am often suprised at what I find and can't believe that someone else parted with it and that no one else has taken it home yet!
2 people recently have commented saying that my work reminds them of yours...I will take that as a compliment:) I do find it interesting though because I don't see our work as similar except for in our colour pallete! I guess we all see different things in our own and each others and have a different understanding of it.
That book is brilliant, I renewed it 2 x at the library and loved every page.
Robyn Gordon linked me to your blog. I traveled to Japan last year with Gail Rieke, my friend and soul sister. Your blog gives such visual treasures and is very beautiful. Your work lovely.
Donna -- I've noticed that several people have mentioned scanning your treasure trove of wondrous objects. As part of my profession, preservation is imperative to protect fragile, delicate objects, especially papers. Not only should you scan and work with the copies, but the originals should be kept in archival boxes away from direct or bright light, and kept in a temperate, stable climate. Also, ensure that you are not wearing any kind of hand lotion when handling these items. Archival gloves may not be a bad idea, too.
P.S.: i am quite envious of your finds!
Layers, I am so embarrassed. You have been commenting on my blog for awhile and this must be the first time I've visited you, lured on by your saying you live on an island. I adore your blog. I totally love these items found in the Kyoto flea market. I love all your quotes and references. Thank you.
I have a friend who lives on Whidbey Island. And also a friend on the east coasat who lives on Ocrakoke. I think living on an island would make up for being half an hour away from stores, etc. How wonderful. Blessings, Suki
ps have read a lot of Tanizaki and love your kittie and doggie's names
count me in on all this (good natured) covetousness!
and how delightful to be in the company of those who appreciate such treasures.
i started with my own mental luggage, that i am "letting go of" things and by the end of your eye/heart's collection I was craving new old things. the ballance in these selections must eminate from you ...
a bow your way.
thank you.
It must have felt like being a kid again at that flea market. That's how I would have felt.
Old = Interesting ; )
Cheers!
fabulous finds
ohl am so jealous of your finds.....l adore things like this and l scan most things as l cant bear to part with them!! love your work.lynda
i hope i can find this in the library! the link is bad..you have the blogger part included in it :)
great find!!!!
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