Q&A with Jordan Geiger

Briefly describe your thesis project.
My thesis project is a quilt made of white fabric with the image of a piano stitched onto it with white thread. The quilt is hung on the wall and in front of it sits a piano bench with a stack of white fabric strips on it with a phrase written on them: “The Buddha Maitreya is a community of love.” These strips are free to be taken by the viewers of the piece. I am exploring the idea of our highest aspirations — what we want the world to look like. My piece arose from a Thich Nhat Hanh quote where he suggests that the next Buddha may be a community, not an individual. The image of the piano represents my creative faculty, as I’m a lifelong musician, and the depicted piano and bench belonged to my grandmother, Opal, who was a very compassionate-minded person. I think the way to move forward as humans without destroying ourselves may be by honoring our ancestors and teachers, building our life around our creativity, and mindfully connecting with each other.  

What do you hope someone feels when they experience your work?
My work involves a subtle form of stitched drawing — white thread on white fabric. I hope the blankness draws the viewer in and that they feel a sense of discovery as the image becomes apparent. I hope to inspire them with the offering of a piece of fabric to take with them.  

How does your research interact with this project?   I am very devoted to my meditation practice, and much of my research is based around spiritual teachings and various methods of meditation. The theme is obviously Buddhist, and I hope the stitched image is suggestive of the calm, open space one may find in meditation.  

Was there anyone early in life who had a big influence on your creativity?   My parents were incredibly supportive and went out of their way to expose me to art, music, and culture of all kinds.  

Describe what it’s been like to make work alongside your cohort.    Working alongside my cohort has truly been a joy and inspiration. We have collectively supported each other and developed an open way of communicating and working together even amidst the difficulties which inevitably arise with group projects and high emotion. I’ve loved many things about this experience, and getting to know the bright, intelligent people in my cohort is at the top of the list.