Changes Changes Changes Changes Changes Changes Changes Changes Changes



Changes / "The book of extinction" prologue
Installation with collection of handmade papers, photography and research documentation
size: each element ~ 7,5x21 cm / 300 elements / composition depends on space
materials: cellulose from residue and leftovers from various plants collected around Taiwan, ink photograph print, charcoal drawing and oil painting, turpentine
technique: handmade paper, drawing, digital printing


I wanted to keep this wall of forest forever, with its density which can be observed in the black and white photograph. An impassable border.
Bio-diverse on the one hand, resembling a background extinction scene on the other. Teeming with life, wildness, restlessness.

Around farmers' fields, night markets, streets, stalls, shops, temples, with the help of wonderful people all over Taiwan, I collected decaying plants and organic waste.
I investigated and described the possibilities of reusing this matter and explored methods of obtaining handmade paper from organic remains.
In workshops and lectures, I taught how leftovers could be used to create handmade paper which consequently spawned many new projects and ideas within Taiwan.

The result of my work is a collection of handmade papers titled 'Changes' created from the residue of more than 30 species.
They had their natural color, smell, texture and characteristics and recognizable features of each species, even after the cellulose extraction process.
Attempts to bleach them led to a loss of individual characteristics, blending, unification. They became indistinguishable, unrecognizable and consequently destroyed.


"Mydlak's work on the 'Changes' collection demonstrates the potential of combining artistic and scientific practices to create new and sustainable materials,
while fostering environmental awareness, demonstrating the importance of biodiversity and the preservation of natural resources."


Installation created during art residency at Pier-2 Art Center / 2018 / Kaohsiung City, Taiwan R.O.C.
A result of the artistic-research project 'Dialogues'.
More information about the project here: https://www.barbaramydlak.com/dialogues.html


Special thanks to: Wei Lin Yang, 姜樂靜, Chia Hui Lu, Su-Ting Yang, 李欣玫, 柯惠秀, 楊智雅, Ferdinand Yang, 林昀澄, Yu Chia Kuo,
Catalina Scoppa, Charinthorn Rachurutchata, 雍晉, 乃仁, Jaime Humphreys, Toshimitsu Kobayashi, Pier-2 Art Center