`LINE AND VINES,' EDGE
‘ Lines and Vines’ at Children’s Museum shows process of creating art
A rt can be inspirational — but when it comes to children, it also serves as a tool for teaching about the artistic process and all it entails. As part of an ongoing gallery series, Boston Children’s Museum invited Fort Point artist Elisa H. Hamilton to create an installation about process called “Lines and Vines,” a growing exploration of houseplants.
“The work I make is about the beauty of our ordinary experience and specifically our everyday surroundings. So I make a lot of work about my home — and my home life and the beauty there,” explained Hamilton.
The exhibit features a few of her own beloved potted plants, framed artwork about the plants and an interactive chalkboard wall where kids can create their own lines and vines.
“When I was invited to do this, I knew I wanted it to be about process … and I think that’s one of the great things about this show, is that families can go home and do this at home,” the multimedia artist said.
Hamilton’s process starts with crayons on paper. She documents the way her plants grow using crayons and then adds wet media over it. The crayon acts as a resist with watercolor or ink and pops up on top, creating a very vivid effect.
“I love crayons. I’ve always loved crayons. You go to art school and they tell you grownups don’t use crayons, but I do … I have thousands of crayons!”
Local artist Alice Vogler is the museum’s arts program manager. She manages the interactive art gallery and runs the art studio there, which welcomes visiting artists for monthly workshops.
“It is very important for families young and old to really hear and see and learn about different artists’ process because it’s never the same. It gives this real insight into art making,” Vogler explained.
When dealing with installing artwork for curious kids, durability is the name of the game. The art is carefully mounted on the wall with ultra-durable industrial strength tape and the plants have been repotted in plastic and mounted down on low tables.
“That’s what’s so good … this is a place where kids can touch things. ... Art galleries tend to be a place where you can look but not touch, so I really wanted to bring the plants in with the art and have them be low enough for kids to be able to interact with them,” said Hamilton.
When asked about her precious plants — which have moved with her from place to place over the years — Hamilton laughed and said, “It’s tough having them here but you know you gotta share.” She giggled. “I repotted them all in plastic containers and we stuck them down, so we’ll see what happens!”