AYSK Numero Cinco

So I'm finally getting around to this...

Lots has been happening lately--for example:

1. I started my internship at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts! It's great! I could not have asked for a better experience thus far. This past week, most of my time was spent on the materials for membership to the studio program. Explaining how the studio program works would take an entire post, and despite the clerical aspects of the project, it was really great to work on something that I care about.

2. Classes started. Not too enthusiastic about any of my classes yet, but fingers crossed that they get better.

3. Fun bonding with my fellow classmates. Kelly Rae's sort-of-birthday party was last night and it was a doozy. This morning was also quite comical (for reasons I will spare sharing). Today, Professor Rubin also had us over for brunch, which was also a good time. Not a very relaxing or restful weekend but who needs those! (Oh right, the girl with the insane schedule this semester.)


So now that I have caught you all up on why I'm blog-slacking, here is the next installment of the "Artists You Should Know" series. Without further ado...

AYSK #5:

ALYSON SHOTZ

Mini-Bio: BFA at good ole RISD. MFA at University of Washington-Seattle. She doesn't have a handy Wikipedia page providing me with access to the essential tidbits of her life, so here is a nice cutesy summary of her artistic choices:

A veteran of the New York art world, Alyson Shotz is known internationally for works of art that address space, light, and perception. Her interest in environmental issues and topology—a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of geometric forms that remain constant despite transformation—is also evident in her artworks.

What kind of art? Sculpture bordering on industrial or architectural design.

Examples of work:

The Shape of Things, 2004 (image from 2007 Guggenheim show)
In case you're curious, this is made of cut plastic Fresnel lens sheets and staples. See Close up...

(View of original installation for The Shape of Things)

The Close up.

Mirror Fence, 2003
Made of acrylic, wood, aluminum, hardware.

Folding Space, 2004
Made of cut plastic, staples.

Allusion of Gravity, 2005
Made of clear glass beads and steel wire.

What I like most about Shotz's work is that she uses pretty standard materials and manages to create pieces that are both beautiful and reflective. It is unique and simple while also being very complex and though-provoking. I hope you feel the same about her work or that you at least are a little more enlightened as far as contemporary sculpture is concerned.

For more images and information on Alyson Shotz, visit her page with the Derek Eller Gallery.

Well I'm off to bed--early start tomorrow--yay for the commuting to the city! Goodnight!

Neglectful Parent

Yet again, it has been too long between posts. Hopefully, after this semester is over I will be able to dedicate more time to this blog, art-making of my own, and general enjoyment-having. Until then, all of my time and brainpower is reserved for papers and presentations on Performance Art and Janine Antoni, Hans Sedlmayr's Theories on Art, and Baudelaire's Theories on the Constructive Imagination. If that doesn't spell G-O-O-D-T-I-M-E-S I just don't know what does!

To make up for the fact that I am many AYSK's behind, I am going to provide links to blogs/websites of some of my male friends that make art and generally rock. (Don't worry...female edition to follow!) They are out there, living in the world, and making damn sure they do what they love--and for that, I have to give them credit and praise. So here goes...a slight deviation from the usual formula...but the Artists (and People) You Should Know:


1. Mark Jay Brewin Jr. Yes, my fiance, BUT also, an incredible artist. Although he is currently getting his MFA in Creative Writing--poetry, specifically--he is very talented in many other art forms and mediums. His work focuses on found objects, memory, constructing narrative, and nostalgia. If you only have time for one work, I suggest the Woodrow Jefferson Project.

2. Andrew Spears. When I first met Mr. Spears he had a fro and orange sneakers. Now, he has a beard and dinosaur-footsie pajamas. A phenomenal artist that is constantly thinking about his next project even when serving up brews and booze in Greensboro, NC. He does not restrict himself to one medium and has created exceptional photographic, digital, and installation work. My favorite work of Spears is an installation entitled "Reaction."

3. M. Spencer Johnson. When one thinks of contemporary art--what's hip and new--one rarely thinks of ceramics/sculpture. However, this bike-enthusiast works primarily in the medium of ceramics and does a fantastic job of creating different, interesting, and beautiful pieces. He challenges those nincumpoops (that's right, I said it...nincumpoops!) that say ceramics is strictly functional and out-dated by incorporating unique elements into the materials he uses. His "Ashes to Ashes" series is a great example of this.

4. Andrew Jonathan Giles. I had the pleasure of working with Andrew at camp this past summer and he is wonderful photographer, teacher, painter, artist, and human being. Originally from Texas, he now lives and creates in Denver, CO. He has a great website of his work, and although I knew him first and foremost as a photographer--he is also a talented poet and painter. Also, did I mention he has great taste in hip-hop?


Well, here are just some of my amazingly talented friends and I hope you enjoy some or all of their work as much as I do!

So now that I have 4 male friends promoted, 4 females are up next. Feel free to bribe me if you are an artist (with a vagina) and want to be mentioned on this blog that no one reads. Haha. I actually really liked doing this so maybe this will become a weekly separate from the AYSK series. Like "NYSK"--"Nobodies You Should Know"--and once they become famous (which they will because I wrote about them) they can join the ranks of "AYSK." Or maybe I'll just call it "Friends You Should Know" --nah...NYSK is much catchier. A new weekly is born!

Let me know what you think of their work and this new idea and how it can be improved. Also, if you have any friends you think I should mention, feel free to pass their info along!

Yay Art! (Now, back to work.)

AYSK #4

So this has gone from a "weekly" into a "whenever-I-have-time-and-want-to-avoid-work-and-or-feel-like-it." Hope that's alright with all of you... (all 4-5 of you.)

Without further ado...

AYSK #4:

YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES

Mini-Bio: Your guess is as good as mine. (You'll see why I say this when you see the website/artwork). But Wikipedia says: Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries (장영혜중공업) is a Seoul-based Web art group consisting of Marc Voge (USA) and Young-Hae Chang (Korea).

What kind of art? Online, or Net, Art. Video (if you can call it that).

Examples of work: (And for AYSK #4, this will take some work on your part since all of their work is located at various websites, that operate off of their main one.)

My favorites that I've looked at so far are as follows:

Dakota

All Fall Down

Victoria's Fire (Lovely reference to the classic Doors song, for those that are into that)

So, So Soulful


Online/Net/Web art is a very new field--mostly because the interweb is so dang new. The work of Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries has gotten a lot of recognition for its simplistic methods (Macromedia Flash) and for its unique blend of word/language, sound, color, and timing. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and museums as well as on the Net--which I unfortunately have not witnessed firsthand. I hear it is an amazing experience that highlights their use of all the techniques/elements mentioned above. I have decided to share them and give them the AYSK title because I feel like Net Art is an overlooked or unknown medium that produces some truly interesting and stimulating (emotionally, visually, intellectually, etc.) work that is quite poignant in this age of technology.

Let me know if you discover any other Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries work on their website that you feel is of note or just plain fun. Sadly, I have not had the time to view them all and part of me is afraid I will develop epilepsy with too many viewings. So, with that, happy/safe viewing to you all and to all a goodnight!

AYSK # 3

I may be late (as usual), but the third installment of the "Artists You Should Know" weekly is here! I have chosen the following artist because he proves that street art is a viable and important art form that sometimes, just sometimes, gets noticed by the mainstream.

AYSK #3 is...

Shepard Fairey

Mini-Bio: Born in 1970. Attended RISD (Hellz yeah RI!). Became famous for his "Obey Giant" campaign. Now resides in Los Angeles.

What kind of art? Street art. Graphic Design. Illustrations.

Examples of his work:

The original sticker/design from the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign in 1989. The campaign that later became known as the "Obey Giant" campaign.

Shepard Fairey's work in action.

Another Fairey graphic design. If you couldn't tell, he has strong political and social views.

Betcha didn't know this! That's right! Shepard Fairey painted this...which became the design for Obama's "Hope" campaign. It is beautiful and amazing and I am so happy it became a campaign poster.

If you want to know more about Shepard Fairey, check these websites out:

Wikipedia...Yep, Wikipedia--Deal with it!

His personal "Obey Giant" Website

Hope you like his stuff because I LOVE it! Enjoy!

AYSK #2

A little late, but still keeping up with the Artist You Should Know weekly edition.

And the AYSK #2 award goes to...

Olafur Eliasson

Mini-Bio: Born in 1967 in Copenhagen. Lives in Copenhagen and Berlin. Scandinavian break-dancing champion. (And I did not even make that up.)

What kind of art? Public and site-specific art. Scientific art (art and science combined.) Large-scale sculpture/architecture and installation.

Examples of his work:

The Weather Project, Tate Modern, 2004
For more information: The Weather Project

Green River, Moss, Norway, 1999
For more information: The Green River Project

Two images from his Waterfall Project, New York City, 2008
For more information: NYC Waterfalls Project

As you can probably tell, Olafur Eliasson's work has a great deal to do with nature--or, more specifically, human perception of and relationship to nature. He has been considered a "relational artist", which means that his work's purpose is centered around its relationship to the viewer, the relationship to its surroundings and the new relationship it creates through its existence. The theory of "relational art" is complicated one, but Olafur Eliasson is the best artist to demonstrate the practice of that theory. I find his work particuarly important because through his artworks he creates a dialogue about reality, manufactured reality, the fear that stems from the altering of realities and the importance of nature.

If you want to learn more about Olafur and his work, his own personal website is a great place to start.

Enjoy!

AYSK (Number 1)

Or "Artist You Should Know" (in case you're not hip to the lingo quite yet.) I have chosen this particular artist because she is one my absolute favorites. So much of contemporary art seems to exist only to cause a stir--to be "avant-garde." This artist, on the other hand, actually thinks about her art and her cause is to examine much more that current political, social, or personal issues. Without further ado...AYSK #1 is... (drum roll please...)

Janine Antoni

Mini-Bio: Born in the Bahamas in 1964. BA from Sarah Lawrence and MFA from RISD.
What Kind of Art?: Process art. Performance art. Body art. Sculpture. Installation.
Examples of her Work:

"Slumber"
2000

"Loving Care"
1993

"Lick and Lather," detail
1993
7 soap and 7 chocolate self-portrait busts, 24 x 16 x 13 inches each

Each of these artworks deals with the body, the process of creation, and the cyclical nature of life. It also deals with many issues relating to women and contemporary standards of beauty. Every piece that Antoni creates is unique--with intricate details and choices--yet somehow related to her greater body of work--work dedicated to examining human existence, human relationship to the outside world and vice versa.

For more on her and her work, please visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janine_Antoni
• http://www.luhringaugustine.com/index.php?mode=artists&object_id=64
• http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/antoni/index.html

Hope you begin to enjoy Janine Antoni's work as much as me!

WEEKLY INSTALLMENT--ARTIST YOU SHOULD KNOW

I've decided that in order for me to actually keep up with this whole blogging habit, I'm going to have to impose upon myself some obligatory daily/weekly/monthly posts. I am really bad at keeping this sort of thing going, but I figure if I set up various "Weekly Installments" I will have a greater chance of succeeding. So here is the first idea...

WEEKLY INSTALLMENT #1: Artist(s) You Should Know

As the title suggests, this topic is meant to enlighten the masses on the various artists that are living/working/still relevant today. The person(s) chosen could be a visual artist, a musician, a writer, etc. If they make what I believe to be art, they could be an "Artist You Should Know" (or AYSK).

I will strive to provide some biographical information, info about their influences, their artistic style and links/images of their most important work.

Here goes! [Fingers Crossed]