This document summarizes Dianne Smith's process of documenting and examining her artwork called "Remix Repurpose Studio". It describes how she is working in a way she doesn't usually by documenting her thoughts and materials which include rope, burlap, cloth and boxes. The process has helped her uncover things about herself. She discusses her use of belts, t-shirts, and fabrics from memories and objects that hold memory for her. The document examines her choices in artwork and waste.

1. Dianne Smith
Remix Repurpose
Studio Documentation
Thursday, December 16, 2010

2. I have been
documenting my
process. This is
particularly significant
because I do not
usually work in this
way. Along with the
images in this
presentation are
excerpts containing
some of my thoughts
as it pertains to the
work. This process has
aloud me to uncover
things about myself
which I am still
examining.
Thursday, December 16, 2010

3. 3
Some materials I use: rope , burlap, cloth, clothing, cinnamon sticks,
belts, string, deconstructed basket
Thursday, December 16, 2010

4. In the Studio
4
Thursday, December 16, 2010

5. Boxes, boxes, boxes everywhere. I couldn’t
bring myself to throw them out. So, that
decision started me thinking. What do people
do with used boxes? What have I noticed in the
city, in my travels? Some of us make art, some
may use them to pack and move and others out
of necessity, they need them for shelter.
5
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6. 6
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7. 7
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8. Thursday, December 16, 2010

9. This piece is made with belts that were sitting in my closet. I realized that I had been
holding on to them secretly reliving my past. See when I wore these I was
but a mere size 4. Today I am a 12.
Thursday, December 16, 2010

10. White T-shirts, dinner napkins, and a tiny piece of
african fabric. What do these things have in
common? All my stuff knotted and looped.
Thursday, December 16, 2010

11. I used to wonder why it would take me so long to rid myself of things.
Now I know, objects have memory. I would wear my golden yellow zip
up jacket, you see, it was my favorite, it brought such joy and comfort.
So did my long sleeve blue Tee... What does this say about me?
Thursday, December 16, 2010

12. Cardboard, dirt, gesso, graphite, reused wood panel, paprika, and other spices were my choices. Choice is an
interesting thing. Those of us who can do it freely often take it for granted. As I was working on this piece I
kept questioning my choices. Suddenly it occurred to me, it was simply because I could. it started me thinking
about the countless women around the world who are not as fortunate. They are unable to make any
choices simply because they could,
12
Thursday, December 16, 2010

13. A knot here, a twist
there, and a loop... It
wasn’t
13 long before it started
coming back to me.
When I was a little girl
spending Summers’s in
Belize my Aunt Louise
taught me how to
weave, the women in
my family were
weavers. We would sit
on the veranda weaving
baskets and bags. I
want this memory to
bring back more joy
than it does. It always
felt like weaving was a
punishment not a gift.
However, I am grateful
for knowing that little
bit of my family history
and the memory.
Thursday, December 16, 2010

14. Garbage, trash, stuff: Why do I have so much? It seems no matter how I try I
always end up with a whole lot of waste. I am assembling this piece one
throwaway at a time. My concern is that I do not pack my space with so much
waste that it becomes a problem, You know, like the little old lady with a bunch
of crap and cats!!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010