As you may have noticed, we have updated the News (finally!) and the patterns for the 52 fish species are now posted as PDFs in the Pattern section. Also included is a PDF of the instructions of how to craft a textile fish as created for the original FishNet exhibition.
The release of fish to schools throughout the Great Lakes basin is almost complete. In total, 276 fish have been sent to elementary schools in Ontario, Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana. We have already heard from a few of the teachers who have received fish and are happy to welcome them into their schools and communities.
FishNet is featured in the current issue (September 2009, Vol.8/3) of the British design journal, Visual Communication, based on the theme of Information Environments. The project is explained through a 12 page colour visual essay. Many thanks to editor Teal Triggs and production manager Kate Price at Sage Publications.
From January to April 2009, FishNet was exhibited in a revised format in the Idea! Gallery at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, ON. The installation consisted of graphics highlighting key fish species related to the development and sustainability of the Great Lakes; digital and video displays from the Harbourfront exhibition in Spring of 2008; the display of the 52 fish species used in the project; and an explanation of the crafting process. Approximately 700 fish were hung outside the gallery in the Hot Zone area. An additional display of some of the smaller species were in a separate corridor.
FishNet would like to thank Ana Klasnja, Sabrina Greupner and Kevin Von Appen and the staff at the Ontario Science Centre for their support in the implementation of the exhibit. We also would like to thank intern design students, Jennette Weber and Rahul Kapoor from the York/Sheridan Joint Bachelor of Design program for their assistance with the graphics and web site update.
Below are several images from the exhibition:
Idea! Gallery entrance
Great Lakes panels with key species
View through gallery
Display with 52 fish species and crafting
View of video display
Hot Zone fish “chandelier”
Hot Zone fish animation projection
Corridor FishNet display
Display cases
Close up of graphics
Below are some images from one of the nine days of FishNet School Visits workshops held at Harbourfront Centre from January 15th to 25th. We had 13 schools, 30 classes, 727 students and many parents and volunteers participate. Many thanks to the wonderful School Visits teachers and Inner City Angel artists and volunteers who led the children through the process of painting, stenciling, stuffing and sewing their fish. The results have been amazing .
Four days of workshops will be held at Harbourfront from February 26th - 29th and for a few days in March with another 13 schools participating.
Stay tuned for more!
Students looking at the colours and markings of the smallmouth bass.
Using paints and pastels to add colour and texture.
A smallmouth bass in progress.