the lies project, 2004-2005

Abstract

This first work in the series is grounded by the idea that our world is made up of lies of all shapes, sizes, and persuasions, and that in fact these constructs bind our universe together. I began by collecting hundreds of donated lies at lying booths set up around Montreal. I then embroidered these in white stitch on white silk, in a font designed from handwriting. My interest in using the stitch was to weave the ephemeral quality of the lies, both materially and metaphorically, and to give the lies a life and immediacy through texture and image. I then treated the embroideries chemically, dissolving the silk fabric — their support — leaving behind only the stitch. The embroideries were then pinned, in single file, a string of lies just off the walls of a gallery.