The “Building” prompt came at the right time for me, because I got lots of inspiration during my recent travels to Europe. I was able to spend 7 weeks in the fall with family and friends in Germany, with a little bit of sightseeing thrown into the mix.
We visited the Völklinger Hütte, a former iron-making factory in the coal-producing region of Saarland in Western Germany, close to the French border. This whole industrial complex is a World Heritage Site and industrial museum with kilometres of walkways, stairs and excellent interpretive signs. The sheer size of the complex is overwhelming, and one starts to imagine the noise and commotion that must have been tremendous during its heyday.
The rusty industrial ruins offer a lot of visual inspiration, so many lines, weird shapes, interesting textures and of course the lovely rust colours.
I worked from a photo that was taken from a higher vantage point and the perspectives just seemed right for this piece. I don’t usually work from a photo, so this was quite the challenge for me, but I’m happy with the outcome. Lots of details managed their way in, though my original plan was to keep it kind of abstract!
The shapes of the buildings are fused, I did a zigzag stitch around the fused shapes. Some shading was done with Inktense pencils and oil paintsticks.
Title Ironworks – Völklinger Hütte
Regina Marzlin
Dimensions: h 40″ x w 31″
Material: hand-dyed and commercial cotton, oil paintsticks, ink pencil
Technique: raw edge applique, fusing, , painting, machine stitching
Great interpretation. We have a similar visit-worthy place in bethlehem, the old Bethlehem steelworks. I love scrambling around the pathways and also imagining how it used to be. It’s not too big a stretch for me, because I have worked in a steel mill.
Regina… I have waited to comment because I am just so taken by the immensity of the detail you have created , and I wanted to go back over and over to study this piece closely – drinking in the special effects and shading, the twists and turns of the building pipes and detailed façade…. amazing really. I feel like I walked the grounds and searched the history of the facility with you. Thanks for your work on this magnificent piece…
Bethany, thank you for your thoughtful comment, I appreciate it very much! Your reaction was exactly what I was hoping for, to take people there with me.
This is a fun piece. I just love the rusty buildings–you captured them well.
Thanks, Deb, it was fun to make it!
What a fascinating complex and you have captured it beautifully
Thank you Lisa, it was a wonderful challenge!
Beautiful transformation into textile art
Thank you Maria!
You can rightly be proud of this work. how you managed to simplify the photo is very well done. The rust color shows it perfectly. All in all a favourite.
Dank je wel, Elfriede, it was challenging to decide what to include, I’m happy with the result.
Love this prompt and find your contribution very inspiring. You take us there.
Thank you Mary, I’m glad you enjoy it!