Diary folded paper diary, 1hr performance, Atrium, Victoria BC, open actions performance collective, Nov 7, 2015
paper
the paper period
The Paper Period (Japanese: kami kikan) is a term used to define the works produced by Canadian artist Brenda Petays between 2008 and 2015 when she essentially abused books by unbinding and re-binding the pages. These “literary works” are now some of her most popular works, although she had difficulty selling them at the time.
encyclopedia and wheat paste, art history textbook and packing tape, found photo and packing tape with wooden stool, 2015
Artist Residency, Onishi, Fujioka, Gunma, Japan
Artist Residency August 2015 Onishi
At Shiro Oni Residency I continued working with paper as it was so much on my mind…and when I first saw the window in my studio I knew I wanted to activate the space from both inside the studio and the street — using paper, light and air. The inside/outside concept was important to me – I feel close to Japanese culture and sensibility but I know I am an outsider and that many Japanese concepts are hidden to me.
Summer Window: old book paper, string, nori glue, sun, air
inside
outside (with motion graphics by Kurumi Shiowaki and sound by Momoko Negishi)
There is a fantastic antique shop in Onishi where I found many books to use as raw material and for imagery.
I found an old paperback book from the 1950’s filled with advice for young mothers…so I imagined for myself a Japanese mother: the photo on the cover of the book.
My Imaginary Japanese Mother:
…and I imagined stories and teachings she would have told me….
materials; old book paper, found images, pet bottles, water, beads, adult magazines
Bound and Unbound
Plant Spirit: washi paper, insects and nori glue
Sumi Book: sumi ink, old book pages
Bound and Unbound: old book pages, clothes pins, Onishi forest
Bound and Unbound: old book pages, metal pins, Onishi forest
Bound and Unbound: old book pages, thread, wooden skewers
Bound and Unbound: old book pages, thread, clothes pins
Bound and Unbound: old book pages, masks, string
Washi papermaking workshop
Washi papermaking workshop, Awagami Paper Factory, Tokushima, Japan
The washi workshop participants peeling the bark of the harvested Kozu plant, cleaning fine debris, beating, cooking, pressing and finally forming sheets of washi/paper.
So great to make paper by hand and with a sustainable plant – the Kozu grows so freely and quickly and you only harvest some branches in the spring so the plant can be harvested each year.
brenda petays projects 