When developing an idea, I remind myself not to start with compromise. I envision the ideal manifestation of the idea, as if I had no limits in resources, materials, or permission. Janet Echelman compromisedevelopenvision Change image and share on social
As a child, I always enjoyed building forts by stringing up bed sheets and clothes. I continue to be inspired by makeshift structures, including my own kids' forts and temporary architecture of all sorts. Janet Echelman architecturebedbuild share on social
In Portugal, my sculpture 'She Changes' refers to the town's fishing history, to the era of seafaring trade and discovery. The contemporary site is industrial, surrounded by red and white striped smokestacks, which is mirrored in the pattern of the sculpture. Janet Echelman contemporarydiscoveryera share on social
I believe people can have a profound experience by being surrounded by something beautiful - that's what I aim for. My sculpture is about the way you feel when you're standing under it and inside it. It's experiential art. Janet Echelman aimartbeautiful share on social
The most powerful part of the art is experiential, yet it's the hardest to describe because it's nonverbal. Janet Echelman artdescribeexperiential Change image and share on social
Once I began to hear and pay attention to my fledgling ideas, the biggest hurdle was to learn how to respect them. That was hard, because the real way to respect an idea is to invest the attention and work needed to develop it. Janet Echelman attentionbeginbig share on social
When ideas are young and vulnerable, criticism can be lethal. Janet Echelman criticismidealethal Change image and share on social
It's good for art to make us think, to give us a shared experience that creates a dialogue, makes us talk to each other, including strangers. Janet Echelman artcreatedialogue Change image and share on social
Whether being battered by the surf or swimming through the gentle undulating surface of lakes, I find inspiration in the movement of water. Sometimes I think about the journey the water has traveled, reconnecting me to the larger cycles of nature. Janet Echelman battercyclefind share on social