Emily Duong
Pause

Media: Abaca and cotton string, 10 x 8 inches each
Size: 10” x 8” each

Artist Statement:
In this series, I captured a set of clean and elegant visuals, each of an entanglement waiting to happen. Every piece uses two contrasting cotton strings to represent the process of fastening in motion. Though it appears to be a knot, upon closer inspection, one realizes the bond is not yet made. The only true bond arises from the fibers of the paper keeping the action frozen. I use the strength of abaca fiber to suspend the knots in time, allowing for deeper inspection and further reflection of the captured potential. 

For each piece, I created a second “edition” to be pulled on all four ends by two individuals, in order to resume the anticipated motion. This performance provides relief in the completion of the knot, while the abaca paper tries to hold on but ultimately breaks fully out of its plane, tearing into the third dimension. The resulting drama serves as a metaphor for creation from destruction.

Performance Video: https://youtu.be/Mgj6qbR8sEc

Biography

Emily Duong is an artist, born in New York City and currently living in New Jersey. Her love of paper stemmed from a childhood obsession of stationery. Emily also serves as the Bulletin Editor on the committee of IAPMA (International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists).