Amy-Ellen Flatchestedmama Trefsger
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Monochromatic May: 31 Days in Grey
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ompleted May 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Exhibited at Gallery4Culture May, 2010
Seattle Times article by Regina Hackett (pdf) 2008,
Seattle Times article by Rachel Shimp 2010
Seattle Scenester Blog Post by Erin Fossum 2010, CityArts Blog Studio Visit by Erin Shafkind
2010





Calendars of Outfits
daily photographs

Exhibit Pics
photos of exhibit ©Adam L. Weintraub
Color Court
public scrutiny of the wardrobe

Select videos created in 2011 (view more at www.youtube.com/user/flatchestedmama):


Grey is the color between all and nothing. It can reflect confidence, independence and careerism (all) or looming weather, anger and depression (nothing). During the month of May, Flatchestedmama adopts an entirely grey wardrobe (underclothing and accessories included). Silver is allowed in the way of zippers, jewelry and a few accent items. Black and white may make appearances by thread or button, but no stripes or polka dots are worn.

The integration of simple, self-created boundaries with daily-life performances like Monochromatic May provides Flatchestedmama with a heightened awareness of her 2004 decision to merge art and life.

Why Grey? Linda Montano had taken all of the colors: she dressed monochromatically for one year at a time, exploring year-by-year, all seven of the Chakra colors and powers. Alex Martin (a local Seattle artist) wore a little brown dress for the duration of one year. I also work in an office setting and grey offers that professional look.

I decided in late 2007 that I would continue the piece. Why continue it? One month doesn't feel long enough to explore all of the grey attire options, I need to get the most out of the investment (a whole new wardrobe cost a bit of money) and it makes me feel like I'm being productive- integrating art into my daily life.

More information can be found by perusing the links above, visiting the Calendar of Outfits page will show you my daily photographs, the Color Court page will describe how the public has participated in the piece by exercising the right to vote on what they find to be grey or not and the Gallery4Culture page will show you the gallery exhibit I had of the series in May of 2010. Below you will find the 2009 inventory and a page with other random facts and frequently asked questions.
Thank you for your interest and have a grey~t day!

follow these links for more informaiton:
2009 Inventory (pdf) / FAQ and Misc.

Above image credits L to R:
Monochromatic Mayhem babydoll image (Calendar of Outfits) by Erin Shafkind.
Gallery4Culture postcard image: photo by Rachel Gonzalez, design assistance by Sam Trout.
Monochromatic May title card photo by Erin Shafkind, design assistance by Sam Trout

All images and content copyright ©Amy-Ellen Flatchestedmama Trefsger unless otherwise noted.
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