How New is Modern? news release
The Basics
The Denver Metro Modern Quilt Guild has been offered the opportunity to hang a show of original works at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO. The show will be opening on approximately October 26, 2017 and will hang until approximately January 25, 2018.
Concept: The title of the show is How New is Modern? The goal is to tell a story about how modern quilting has emerged out of quilting’s long history. By engaging with traditional quilts in a modern way and linking them to modern aesthetics, it creates a point of connection and dialog between traditional and modern quilts. We will be choosing 3-4 antique quilts made prior to WWII from the RMQM’s archive or from personal collections as inspiration to hang along the original quilts in the show.
Inspiration Quilts: The chosen antique quilts will demonstrate one or more tenet of modernism as defined by National Modern Quilt Guild.
Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to the following: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work.
The committee is asking members of the guild to assist in choosing the quilts digitally. Please fill out the Inspiration Quilt Survey and choose the quilts you are most interested in. Images have been pulled from the RMQM Collection at the Quilt Index, save for otherwise noted in the survey. We will be taking responses to the survey until February 28, 2016. After all of the votes are in, the show committee and interested members will be taking a trip to the museum in Mid-March 2016 to make the final choices. Images of the antique quilts chosen will be posted on this page for member’s reference.
Edit 04/04/2016: We’ve chosen the final four inspiration quilts which can be seen here with some information and links.
Challenges: This show presents a challenge to members to make an original museum quality quilt, even if one has never thought about doing so or made one previously. Museum quality is defined by the craft of the object and how well made it is, not necessarily it’s aesthetics. The guild has been allotted 300 linear feet to fill at the museum, the equivalent of 30 90″ wide quilts with 18″ of space between them. It is important that we as a guild maintain momentum and engagement. It is also important that to find a means for feedback and constructive criticism. The committee is open to ideas on how the guild would like to proceed.
Goals: The show will be the first all modern exhibit at the museum. It’s an amazing opportunity for the guild to set this precedent for the museum and for the guild. Think of it as the chance to grow and explore as a maker. We will be using 2016 as the year to make work and 2017 as the year to plan and promote the show.
Needs: The committee is currently seeking interested parties for event planning, promotional work, photography, writing and copy editing and assistance with hanging the show. The museum has also asked us to consider doing some sort of educational component such as a lecture, artists’ talk, workshop or class in conjunction with the show. It was suggested that we do panel and a catalog of the work, both of which are excellent ideas and should be explored further at a later date.
Details and Fine Print
Starred items are verbatim from the show contract from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.
Eligibility: How New is Modern? is a one-time exhibit of modern quilt art held at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO. All works must be a quilt. It must have three layers (backing, batting, and top) joined together with stitching or tying and a finished biding on the edge of the quilt. All works must be original; quilts from published patterns that require credit will not be accepted. The exhibit is open to current and future members of the Denver Metro Modern Quilt Guild. Collaborative works made by multiple artists are eligible. Works must be ready to hang. Works must be original and completed since January 1, 2015. Works must be less than 90″ in width and 90″ in length.
Entry Information: Entries will be accepted between March 1st and April 12, 2017. No more than two works by an artist will be selected. Entry fee is $10 per quilt. You must also submit the completed application and correct entry fee. Artist statements will be worked on at the May meeting and are due by June’s business meeting. Submissions will be accepted online and fee is payable through PayPal. Entries must be brought to April 12, 2017 business meeting to be shared and photographed. If you cannot attend and are submitting work to the show, please have someone else bring your quilt(s) or get a high quality digital photograph to the show committee.
Display: All of the quilts must be submitted with a 4″ wide hanging sleeve stitched to the back. All quilts must have a label with the maker’s name, title of the piece and phone number attached to the back lower right hand corner. All quilts must be finished (quilted and bound); no tops or partially finished quilts will be allowed to hang.
Delivery and Receiving: Quilts will be collected on April 12, 2017 during the business meeting. They will be packed into water tight containers and be delivered to the museum on April 13, 2017. If you cannot make it to that meeting, you will be responsible for getting your quilt to the committee or to the museum. After the show, they will be returned to the maker in February 2018.
Sales: Exhibitors may offer their quilts for sale if they wish. The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum takes a 40% commission off the sale price.
Care and Preservation*: All objects loaned to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum (RMQM) will be given special care at all times to guard against loss, damage, or deterioration. Objects will be protected from fire, theft, mishandling, dirt, insects, and from extremes of light, temperature, and humidity while in possession of the museum. It is understood by the lender that all tangible objects are subject to gradual and inherent deterioration for which neither party is responsible. Evidence of damage not described in the lender’s documentation at the time of receipt or while in the borrower’s custody will be reported immediately to the lender. No alteration, restoration or repair will be undertaken by the borrower without written permission of the lender. Borrower also agrees no sub-loans will be made.
Transportation and Packing*: Lender certifies that object(s) are loaned in satisfactory condition. Borrower will be responsible for the safe and secure transport of the object(s) from RMQM storage to the place where the exhibition will be installed. All object(s) will be handled by museum professional staff and supervised volunteers at all times. After completion of the exhibit, all objects will be stored securely until return arrangements are made. Any packing materials received by RMQM with object(s) loaned will be returned in like manner upon completion of the exhibit.
Insurance*: Minimum insurance coverage is included in the amounts stated in this agreement for borrowed objects. Upon receipt and while on exhibit, all borrowed object(s) will be covered by RMQM insurance. Objects valued over $500 must be accompanied by a written appraisal.
Reproductions and Photography*: Unless otherwise stated, it is understood that objects borrowed for the purpose of this exhibition may be photographed for the RMQM for the purpose of documentation, education, and exhibit publicity. It is also understood that photography is permitted in the museum for the personal, non-commercial use of museum visitors.
Returns of Loan*: All loaned objects will remain in possession of RMQM for the duration of the exhibit. Lender will inform Borrower of any change of address. All loan objects will be returned to the lender at the completion of the exhibition upon arranging satisfactory conditions for return.
Important Dates
February 28, 2016: Deadline for choosing antique quilts digitally
mid-March 2016: Meeting at the RMQM to choose 3-4 quilts for inspiration
January 11, 2017: Commitment for submission
April 12, 2017: Submission Deadline. Quilts collected and packed to be delivered to RMQM.
April 13-14, 2017: Quilts hand delivered to Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.
May 2017: Quilts photographed for promotional purposes.
~October 26, 2017: Show opening
~January 25, 2018: Show comes down
February 2018: Quilts returned to makers
