Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists
INTERWOVEN: Exploring Transformation Between Impermanence and Permanence
In early 2025 we received an "Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists" from the City of Laguna Beach. This support gives us the opportunity to step away from our regular schedule and dive into new ideas for our project, "Interwoven: Exploring Transformation Between Impermanence and Permanence". Over the next two years, we'll be experimenting with new techniques, building on earlier ideas and deepening our exploration of how impermanence and permanence coexist, both in nature and in our own lives. We hope to share this creative journey with audience through ongoing documentation here on our site.
Progress Report #1 (August 2025)
Getting Organized
We began by setting aside time to focus on this project. We dedicated a calendar to track our progress and placed the grant funds in savings until needed. To make space for experimentation, we paused our usual November show and carved out focused studio time. We've also taken smaller windows between show and gallery commitments. We are gathering natural materials that could be cast in ceramic or bronze.
Early Explorations through Ikebana
In April, Naomi was invited to give a student demonstration at the Japanese American Community Cultural Center (JACCC). She created an ikebana piece titled Interwoven using wisteria, dried pomegranate branches, and a yellow pincushion protea. This exploration helped us connect the project's theme of impermanence and permanence through a living art form.
Evolving Earlier Ideas
The grant has given us time to return to maquettes and ideas set aside due to time constraints or technical challenges. Revisiting them has opened new directions for exploration and fresh opportunities for creative development while using them as a building block.
Building Documentation
We have started this web page to share this grant journey with public, documenting our experiments, reflections, insights, and progress as the project unfolds.
Skill Development Goals
To carry our vision forward,we plan to refine and learn:
- Advanced mold-making techniques for complex forms
- Welding, first learned at Otis Parsons, now deepened for precision
-Precious Metal Clay (PMC), revisit it as a more immediate way of working with metal
Reflections
This grant has allowed us to slow down, embrace uncertainty, and observe our work from new perspectives - building on the past while opening space for discovery.
What's Next
-Develop earlier concepts as building blocks for Interwoven
-Keep collecting and testing natural materials for casting
-Begin workshops and independent study in mold-making, welding, and PMC
-Share ongoing process notes and images with public on our site
With gratitude to the City of Laguna Beach for supporting artists and innovation.