The prompt of media and how it related to my travels last year prompted me to think about my parents doing a similar journey back in 1968 and 1970. Back then everything was written on paper, their air tickets, hotel bookings, planned itinerary and travellers cheques for their money. How different it is these days! Everything is online and so much easier. We didn’t need a travel agent and booked most things ourselves via the internet.
We applied for our visas online and got the response that way. Our flight details all booked online as were any hotels or excursions. As for money, well we just took our Eftpos and credit cards with us and used them. Really easy!
I remember mum and dad bringing back airline magazines and copies of everything so we could see them all – it was fascinating and they gave talks and slide shows to all sorts of organisations as travelling that far from New Zealand was very rare. These days you mention where you have been and quite often its “I’ve been there – did you go to this or that place etc” So many people travel these days!
I have tried to show the printed material by printing with different fonts all over the fabrics and then printed photos of airline dashboards etc. onto fabric for the modern day.
The Hudson Yards photo shows the flight information appearing on the plane to keep me informed all the way, but also part of the graffiti board at Hudson Yards in NYC made of sequins so you could write your message (that was fun!) then wipe it off. Back in the day however, mum and dad would have been told by the aircrew how long it was till they landed or what stage of the trip they were at. For me, I was able to look it up and follow it at any stage including when coming in to land at Toronto what the towns were around us as we got closer, followed by live video of the land and houses etc. around us. Absolutely amazing!
My piece is made with my hand dyed and hand painted fabrics which have been pieced together. I printed the images on fabric using fabric softener and then machine quilted the work all over with what I perceive as a flight design.
Then till now
Name Catherine McDonald
Dimensions 40″ x 27″
Material: hand dyed, painted and over stenciled, printed photos onto fabric
Technique: Machine pieced and quilted
Seeing the blue of wonderful work made me want to go on a trip.
What a great adventure from the past, Catherine… love the shared images and I would enjoy seeing your work in person. Well done!
You our work is so thoughtful. I love how you reflect on various facets of your life,and then develop an artistic piece to honour that realization. So blessed you travelled to Canada yo be with us.
Thanks Shelagh. It was such an amazing trip and I am enjoying revisiting it as part of this Cloth in Common series. Big hugs to all of our friends in Ailsa Craig!