This is my second semester work in progress in the studio. I am experimenting with lighting while adding layers to the piece.
Starting a New Piece
I've been doing a lot of sketching to decide how to incorporate the natural and man made for my next piece. At this point I am planning to complete my piece in layers of sheer fabric.
Return from NYC
I just returned from a trip to New York City with the MFA department at CCAD. We met the artists Allie Taylor (http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/alison-elizabeth-taylor) and Fred Tomaselli (http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/fred-tomaselli/ ) in their studios, visited numerous galleries, the Museum of Arts and Design, MOMA, and the Armory Show. Michael Goodson was a spectacular host. I can't wait to return and do more exploring on my own.
Review
Often nature is taken for granted. It is something to visit when there is time and tear down when something new seems to be in order. The complexity of the sublime is traded in for neatly arranged rows of trees and flower beds or skyscrapers and concrete. The relationship to natural environment becomes distant. This distance makes it easier to dispose of the natural and deny or forget about the existence of any higher order. My pieces explore the tension between the complexity of the sublime and man’s desire for order.
More of the Same
The last two weeks have been busy. I wrote a paper on the Alexis Rockman exhibit at the Wexner Center and led the class discussion in Theory and Criticism on Gender. This week's reading regarding cyborgs was particularly interesting. My project focuses on the spirituality found in the natural. The article spoke of a haunting future void of anything natural or spiritual.
I took a weekend trip to Florida. I was able to visit Homosassa Springs (a wildlife sanctuary). I took quite a few photos that I hope to be able to use in my projects.
I took a weekend trip to Florida. I was able to visit Homosassa Springs (a wildlife sanctuary). I took quite a few photos that I hope to be able to use in my projects.
Writing the Exhibit Review
I am in the process of putting the finishing touches on my exhibit review for my Tuesday class. The subject of my review is Alexis Rockman's exhibit at the Wexner Center entitled "Fable for Tomorrow".
There is a lot to take in with the exhibit. Sitting here in the comfort and shelter of my suburban home I can't help but wonder how Rockman's work would have taken shape had he been a native of the suburbs rather than Brooklyn, NY.
I can't help but think there is plenty of material here in the suburb. I have been contemplating including birds and houses in my pieces referencing the constant push pull between human habitations and habitats for animals. My mind is on bird houses. It's funny that anyone would use a bird's house (a tree) to build a "bird house" which one can view from the shelter of his or her house, the building of which was made possible by clearing away the bird's original houses (the trees). Confused? There is something there (maybe a future piece).
There is a lot to take in with the exhibit. Sitting here in the comfort and shelter of my suburban home I can't help but wonder how Rockman's work would have taken shape had he been a native of the suburbs rather than Brooklyn, NY.
I can't help but think there is plenty of material here in the suburb. I have been contemplating including birds and houses in my pieces referencing the constant push pull between human habitations and habitats for animals. My mind is on bird houses. It's funny that anyone would use a bird's house (a tree) to build a "bird house" which one can view from the shelter of his or her house, the building of which was made possible by clearing away the bird's original houses (the trees). Confused? There is something there (maybe a future piece).
Playing with Mesh and Light
These two pictures were of the same piece hanging about 3' out from the wall with a simple 60 watt bulb lamp pointed at it.
These two pictures are my second attempt at using a darker organza with the mesh. The second picture shows the piece after I cut more of the mesh away. These are the before pictures of the top piece.
Refining the Drawing
This week I will start on a larger piece (from my drawing) and work with a projector to see how lighting interacts with the piece. I am also looking at Japanese landscape drawing and am reading "The Artistic Anatomy of Trees".
Thinking and Drawing
September 27, 2011
This weekend I spent a lot of time thinking of ways to make the mesh "drawings" look more professional. I wasn't happy with my first attempt at a large scale piece. Taking some well directed advice I began to think on a smaller scale. I also went out and just drew trees and plants for a short time. I will have to add this to my schedule weekly. It was a great help.
I am thinking of turning my pieces into small houses (linking natural habitats to the human habitats that are in constant competition). Another option could be hanging the pieces so the shadows reflect on houses drawn in the background and hung on the wall. I'm sure there will be more to follow on this subject. I plan to make a small finished piece this weekend to see how this works.
I also read interviews with artist Judy Pfaff. I spent time looking at images of her work online. I am really drawn to the layers in her pieces, as well as the colors and use of space. Pfaff uses a variety of materials in her compositions. The layering and choice of materials draw the viewer in. There is much to look at.
This weekend I spent a lot of time thinking of ways to make the mesh "drawings" look more professional. I wasn't happy with my first attempt at a large scale piece. Taking some well directed advice I began to think on a smaller scale. I also went out and just drew trees and plants for a short time. I will have to add this to my schedule weekly. It was a great help.
I am thinking of turning my pieces into small houses (linking natural habitats to the human habitats that are in constant competition). Another option could be hanging the pieces so the shadows reflect on houses drawn in the background and hung on the wall. I'm sure there will be more to follow on this subject. I plan to make a small finished piece this weekend to see how this works.
I also read interviews with artist Judy Pfaff. I spent time looking at images of her work online. I am really drawn to the layers in her pieces, as well as the colors and use of space. Pfaff uses a variety of materials in her compositions. The layering and choice of materials draw the viewer in. There is much to look at.
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