Susan Striepe—Peer Response

In Christie Knoll's "Altered Book" I liked all the rich dark textures she created using sand mixed with paint. In addition, I was fascinated by Christie Knoll's "Project Book". I thought her use of random, mass produced transparent packages that enclosed discarded food remnants was iconic. The shape reminded me of niches I had seen in Spain with saints granting the passers by their blessings. Yet at the same time they were enclosed and had my mind wandering in directions of wombs and tombs. I found them filled with metaphor and meaning. Then, as another layer, there was a sense of tactility of the material and yet the plastic acted as a barrier, so that you were unable to touch it. My response was a yearning to touch, a yearning for the safety of the womb and the fear of the tomb. Powerful stuff!