Presenting:
Heidi Nagtegaal
Here’s a little bit about her:
Heidi Nagtegaal has been exploring craft for the last 5 years as a way of investigating commodity, value, commerce, social exchange; differences between costume and dress, appearance and disappearance, folk and global cultures, emergence and sedimentation. Installation/performance/sculpture lines are often crossed in and outside the gallery, interventionist manner. Apart from her personal art projects, Heidi engages in a rigorous social practice with others.
In 2004, Headbands and Bracelets was started as a way of archiving social experiences and the interactions there is through the free gifting of handmade Headbands and Bracelets.
headbands and bracelets galore
She is responsible for facilitating the salvaging, production, and distribution of over 6000 of these objects, which have become something of a cult phenomenon within certain circles. In 2006, Nagtegaal founded the Hammock Residency, facilitating artist residencies, events, and exhibitions. At first it was a shy event, but now is open to the public in an interactive way. Nagtegaal is a part of Absurdus, a music group dedicated to exploring sound improvisation through keyboards, vocals and nose, with Joomi Seo. She also collaborates with Dance Troupe Practice in the context of movement based performance. Graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in 2005 (Visual Arts), she currently lives and works in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and sits on the Board of the LIVE Biennale, a performance art association.
And here’s how she answered my 6 questions about creativity:
What inspires your creativity?
Art / Music / Poetry / Sunsets / Sunrises / Theory / Interaction / Observation
How have you reinvented yourself thru your creativity?
Life is constantly changing, art is just another medium to work through ideas. I feel like I’m always changing, based on where I need to be at the moment.
Based on response to your creativity, how do you involve others?
Most of my work, if not all of my work, is based on the idea of interaction. People are always implicated in my practice because of it’s “social practice”.
What is the wildest journey your creativity has taken you on?
Redirection on Hastings at Heatley St., Vancouver, BC
Recently, I crocheted 4 Pylons out of Flagging Tape, bought a Flagging Uniform from Army & Navy and Redirected Traffic at Hastings and Heatley (see profile picture). It was an investigation into the mimicry of power, and highlighting the human interface within that structure.
What is your most memorable moment in the act of being creative?
The one I’m living right now.
What’s next for you?
Putting 2 different shots of Redirecting Traffic on a split screen setting on Final Cut Pro, so you can see the long view of myself Redirecting Traffic, and can see the bottleneck of traffic, next to a close up view, where you can see sun streaming off my Flagging Uniform (it’s reflective) and the cars almost hitting me. It’s just over 5 minutes, on DVD.
And here’s something that inspires her creativity:
This is a project made by Helen Reed, called Twin Twin Peaks. She’s incredible! In 2009, Front Magazine asked me to write an interview with her. Front Magazine, Summer/Fall 2009, “Play”
Check out Heid’s website at: http://www.heidi-nagtegaal.com
Thank you Heidi! Looking forward to getting a headband of my own!
