For the month of September, the Gallery is inviting our community and members to participate in a unique installation art piece inspired by the enigmatic Fates of Greek mythology—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. These mythological figures symbolize the inescapable threads of life, weaving a profound connection to the cultural journeys and destinies of individuals, especially within immigrant diasporas.
Clotho, the spinner, represents the beginnings and the choices made when embarking on a journey to new lands, often filled with hope and the promise of a fresh start. Lachesis, the measurer, reflects the unfolding of these journeys, where the paths of life are influenced by cultural intersections, the challenges of adaptation, and the perseverance required to carve out a place in a new society. Atropos, the cutter, embodies the inevitability of change and the conclusion of life’s chapters, paralleling the bittersweet nature of holding on to one’s heritage while integrating into a new culture. In this way, the myth of the Three Fates mirrors the immigrant experience, where the threads of old and new worlds are continuously woven, measured, and cut, shaping a unique, evolving narrative.
Throughout the month of September, you can contribute a representation of your life connections in one of two ways:
- Visit at the gallery throughout the month of September and use the materials provided to add to the art piece. Come for an hour or two and use your imagination to symbolizing the ways in which our lives intersect with those of others. Interpret these themes broadly, from literal representations of the Fates to abstract expressions of the interconnectedness of human experience.
- Work from your home and bring in your contribution. Artwork should consist of one or two embellished scraps of fabric approximately 6 inches square. Embellishments can include, but are not limited to, embroidery, painting, printing, beading, patchwork, photography or mixed media techniques, provided they incorporate the core element of embellished fabric
Curated by Linda Coumont, Michelle Loughery, Stacey Phinnemore and Brigitte Red, the installation aims to be immersive, and we especially encourage works that contribute to an environment of storytelling and contemplation, highlighting the web of connections we forge along the way and that define our existence.
Contributions will be added to the installation throughout the month of September with the final day for adding pieces being September 25.
The work will evolve throughout the month with a final closing reception, a “finissage”, taking place during Culture Days on September 26,2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Come and see what a community working together can create.