Shirah Miriam "Mimi" Aumann

Address279 Eagle Drive
CityBranson West
State/ProvinceMO
Postal Code65737
CountryUSA
Phone Number417.739.9124
E-mail Addressthewatermill@centurytel.net
Websitenull

First interest in hand papermaking process: 1984

First piece of handmade paper: 1990

First handmade paper artwork: 1990

Beginning of active practice: 1990

Images

Click on an image for the full view.

Shirah Miriam "Mimi"'s Work in Hand Papermaking:

  1. Artist who uses papermaking for three-dimensional work
  2. Artist who uses papermaking for two-dimensional work
  3. Educator who teaches hand papermaking (any facet)
  4. Writer on topics related to hand papermaking
  5. Other : Though not a "production" papermaker with a product for sale, I do produce works of art in paper that are used for educational exhibits. I also create projects that utilize paper pulp in environmental, landart installations and work with agri-waste, noxious and invasive weeds to demonstrate sustainable concerns.

Shirah Miriam "Mimi"'s Introduction to Hand Papermaking:

  1. Other : While living in Israel and working mostly with animal fibres through spinning/weaving/tapestry work, I was introduced to a nucleus of papermakers using plant fibres. I switched!!

Influences on Shirah Miriam "Mimi"'s Work in Hand Papermaking:

Publications initially important to Shirah Miriam "Mimi":

  1. Hand Papermaking Magazine : null
  2. Hand Papermaking Newsletters : null
  3. Helen Hiebert Books : null
  4. Catherine Nash Videos : null
  5. Gin Petty OnLine Journal : null

Publications eventually important to Shirah Miriam "Mimi":

  1. Hand Papermaking Magazine : null
  2. Hand Papermaking Newsletters : null
  3. Helen Hiebert Books : null
  4. Catherine Nash Videos : null
  5. Gin Petty OnLine Journal : null

Countries where Shirah Miriam "Mimi"'s studied:

  1. Israel : Izhar Neumann, Tut Neyar Washi Papermill, Papermakers of Israel
    1. hands-on workshop
    2. demonstration
    3. visit to mill or artist studio
    4. residency
  2. Switzerland : Basel Papermill, Basel, Switzerland
    1. hands-on workshop
    2. demonstration
    3. visit to mill or artist studio
  3. Canada : Papermakers from Yahoo Group, PEI Gathering
    1. hands-on workshop
    2. demonstration
    3. visit to mill or artist studio
  4. Hawaii (USA) : Marilyn Wold 10-day Retreat
    1. hands-on workshop
    2. demonstration
    3. visit to mill or artist studio

Raw materials used by Shirah Miriam "Mimi" in Hand Papermaking:

Chemicals used by Shirah Miriam "Mimi" for cooking fibers in Hand Papermaking:

Used Sometimes
Used Rarely
  1. other : wood ash lye

Tools and methods used by Shirah Miriam "Mimi" for beating in Hand Papermaking:

Used Routinely
  1. Hollander beater
  2. hand beating
  3. other : I built a hydropulper from an old frig motor, a shaft and a sharpened boat propeller - very effective...
Used Rarely

Style of sheet forming used by Shirah Miriam "Mimi" in Hand Papermaking:

Years teaching hand papermaking: 20 or so

Teaching formats used by Shirah Miriam "Mimi":

Used Routinely
  1. demonstrations
  2. lectures
  3. one-on-one in studio
  4. workshops
  5. other : On the spot instruction for field gathering, preparing pulp for land art installations with collaboration in the pour/design
Used Sometimes
  1. classes
Used Rarely

Shirah Miriam "Mimi"'s Income Contribution from Hand Papermaking:

  1. a little

Narrative:

From 2000-2003, I was the 1st-century resident papermaker in Little Bethlehem at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, demonstrating 9 Biblical fibres and the papyrus technique of the ancient Egyptians. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1181883245144.24102.1770112083&type=3 In 2011, for the UN International Year of the Forests, I created The Treehugger Papermill Project at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, during the National Harvest Festival. During the 7-week festival, I worked with agri-waste, noxious weeds and invasives and the wastes of some of the 100+ craftsmen on park. I was an Educational Demonstrator, teaching the history of paper from its first creation through modern-day commercial papermills and advocating for “kinder” papers: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1558177132256.46621.1770112083&type=3 In 2009, I hosted the Branson Banana Bash, inviting papermakers to join me in harvesting and processing the fibre from 50+ banana trees from the landscaping of a local university, to keep them from being discarded. Papermakers came from across the country and Canada to capture these fibres and take them back to their studios. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bransonbananabash/ My work for the past several years has concentrated on environmental issues which I address through my art. Each Earth Day I try to create some project or exhibit that will highlight the sustainable message. I showcased the hemp and switchgrass fibres through my 40-piece exhibit, “Power for the People:Sustainability” – some of which can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1761845183830.50805.1770112083&type=3 In 2010, for the grand opening of a new botanical centre, I created a community-collaborative, environmental landart installation River of Life-Bread of Life Environmental Art Installation – the world’s longest paper river. My team and I pulped classroom papers from elementary schools, embedded with winter wheat seeds, and poured a cup at a time throughout the day of the event. The old, young, infirm--all came to pour their cup. A River Runs Through It https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1205166747217.25791.1770112083&type=3 In 2012, I received the Green Initiative Award from the City of Branson, MO, for my work with the Branson Banana Bash and The Treehugger Papermill Project - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2242505600040&set=a.1558177132256.46621.1770112083&type=3&theater

Questions:

I tried to keep to the maximum 350 words on the narrative, but I do not know how to count the links - the text is about 325 words... Mimi