MAKEshift at Purdue University: a belated entry

It's been quite some time since an update. I had an amazing time at the MAKEshift show at Purdue. Here are some images, links, etc! Collaborating with Danny Coeyman

The exhibit took place at the Patti and Rusty Rueff Gallery, Purdue University:

Here is a video from our Kickstarter for the exhibition and a small gallery walk by Danny:

A couple of great write ups:

http://www.stefaniestorm.com/2011/09/makeshift.html

http://morningpassages.com/2011/09/makeshift-installation-artist-melissa-diaz/

Snippet of the Press Release:

The Patti and Rusty Rueff Galleries are proud to present the group show makeSHIFT
running August 22nd – September 2nd with an opening August 25th from 5-7pm. makeSHIFT consists of works by Ai Krasner, Danny Coeyman, and Melissa Diaz. These three artists come together to explore everyday materials both natural and synthetic while inviting viewers to participate in the evolution of the show.

Melissa Diaz creates interactive environments that serve as a neutral space where
viewers can feel welcome to both play and reflect. Diaz creates a dichotomy between inner and outer self through the use of synthetic and organic objects. Plastics, fabrics, yarn, light, plants,and sand are some of the materials Diaz uses to react to her initial installation spaces. This space then grows and shrinks with the interaction of each participant as if it has a life of its own.
Diaz is an ongoing community arts activist; Diaz co-founded Thread Inc. in Orlando, FL, and is in the process of establishing a non-profit home exhibition series Open House Brooklyn. Melissa Diaz received her BFA from the University of Central Florida and her MPS in Art Therapy at Pratt.Diaz uses her work to “form a relationship with the surroundings and the viewer, paralleling her
framework as both an artist and therapist.” The show makeSHIFT is offering a unique opportunity for these three artists to come together and showcase the possibilities of everyday materials in today’s art world. Both Melissa Diaz and Danny Coeyman will be on location August 22-25th providing an in-gallery interactive experience to gallery visitors. All three artists invite students, faculty, and the community to join in the ongoing creation of this unique show and the possibilities of its materials.


The experience was moving to say the least. The focal point of my piece was an interactive hut, in which i developed the base/foundation and invited the viewer to add onto the piece, weave into it, etc. In these sense the viewer could act as co-creator in the space and their participation and interaction was the true completion of the piece.