Here’s an interesting project and two of many results from the CNN ripple effect project. CNN.com commissioned artists to create or choose work to illustrate the ripple effect of 9/11. The idea of “ripple” is open to interpretation and over the course of the project, they curated art by themes, based on what they saw and the artists’ statements.
The first artist is Temme Barkin-Leeds.
Artist’s statement: After 9/11, a worldwide anxiety flowed into and out of all who were affected by the tragedy. This image reflects both the personal response of an individual and is a metaphor for a general anxiety that emanated from everyone.
The more specific ripples of smoke are a reference both to the events of the day and to the mental loss of being grounded, safe and on solid ground. It represents, like ripples on water, the ephemeral quality of our lives that we came to understand as a result of 9/11/01.
Artist’s bio: Temme Barkin-Leeds has a Bachelor of Arts degree in French, a Master of Arts in art history and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art. A chronic student as well as a practicing artist, she is a candidate for a Master of Fine Arts degree in studio art at American University in 2012.
A native Atlantan, a former associate curator of education at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and a former art consultant, she is also a summa cum laude graduate of Georgia State University and an honors graduate of Emory University.
Her socially conscious work has enabled her to receive several awards, including a scholarship to study at the Santa Reparata International School in Florence, Italy.
Hear artist Temme Barkin-Leeds explain her drawing as part of CNN.com’s 9/11 Ripple project.
The second artist is Jessica C. White.
Artist’s statement: One of the images that really stuck with me from September 11 was the fluttering of papers that flew out from the twin towers. I imagined very personal histories on each of those sheets of paper, from financial statements to family wills, day planners or even a saved birthday card.
As the country learned more about the people lost in this tragic event, I sensed the wind carrying these personal stories, and the grief, across the nation. I think we all felt the papery debris fluttering down on us, no matter how far we were from ground zero.
Artist’s bio: Jessica C. White studied iron casting as an undergraduate at East Carolina University and, following a stint in book and paper conservation, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and a certificate in book studies at the University of Iowa. She works as a studio artist in Asheville, North Carolina, is an adjunct professor of papermaking and book arts at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and is the co-founder and co-director of Ladies of Letterpress. She is also the proprietor of Heroes & Criminals Press, a small printing and binding venture that specializes in fine press and artist books, letterpress prints, and a variety of printed ephemera and chapbooks.
Hear Jessica C. White talk about her work on CNN. Both are reprinted/posted from CNN. For additional artwork and more details, click here.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
