“Ripple, Fabric of Our Community” is a temporary, ongoing art installation co- created by Orange County artists Freddie Bell, Mer Haggerty and Carson Whitmore. The artists worked in collaboration with ArtsOrange with assistance and donations from a number of local artists and makers.
Freddie, Mer and Carson were inspired by the Eno River, the history of fabric production in the region, the generosity of local artists working in fabric and fiber. At the one-year anniversary of the flood caused by Tropical Storm Chantal, and as a nod to Hillsborough’s fallen Treasure Tree that inspired the first River Park Arch sculpture, they arrived at the idea to construct a river of fabric. Nearly all materials featured in this installation were donated or loaned by local artists and makers including indigo dye, fabric, installation tools and grommets.
Light colored fabrics were dyed with natural indigo and torn into long strips. The more colorful fabrics were treated with fabric bonding material. During public arts events during the Spring and Summer, the public was invited to cut out shapes from the treated fabric and attach it to the indigo strips with the idea of placing glimmers or moments of brightness into the piece.
The artists hope that visitors to the arch will see moments they participated in -whether by offering materials, helping construct the piece, or walking through the arch while the fabric is there, recognizing how these moments connect them to the other participants, materials, and the community overall.
