On-going Sky/Clouds Series since 1999 is large format fabric sculpture suspended in space 15 feet tall. The fabric is of aluminum coated polyester. Voided out by devore in shibori, some areas depict photographic sky images deposited by heat transfer dye sublimation printing.
I consider clouds in blue sky to be the ultimate of the formless form that express the Zen satori enlightenment or freedom. The character “sky” in Japanese reads as “empty”, a pun on words. In Sanskrit, form is scanda and is expounded by Buddha to be “emptiness.” Each work in this series combine element of natural phenomena such as wind, earth and water which are to be all “empty.”
Sky/Clouds Series was the subject of Technology as Catalyst Exhibition at Textile museum.
Interview with Mel Van Dusen at the opening reception at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles