A Small Boat for Big Trouble.
12x20"
Pastel and Crayon-pencil on wood.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
A Small Boat for Big Trouble. A New Piece.
A Small Boat for Big Trouble.
12x20"
Pastel and Crayon-pencil on wood.
NFL and Former Player Reach Agreement Over Concussion Suit.
Developing story...but reports say the NFL has agreed to by $765 million to about 4500 former players in the concussion lawsuit, rounding out to about 170k per player.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23380915/nfl-former-players-reach-settlement-in-concussion-lawsuit
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23380915/nfl-former-players-reach-settlement-in-concussion-lawsuit
World's Weirdest Geological Formations.
Take a look at some of the world's weirdest geological formations...
http://www.livescience.com/31471-weirdest-geological-formations.html
http://www.livescience.com/31471-weirdest-geological-formations.html
Fast Food Workers Strike Across Nation.
Fast food workers across the nation are planning to strike for a raise in the minimum wage from 7.25-$15 per hour, while the National Restaurant Association claims only 5% of workers actually make the minimum wage...take a look.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/29/us-usa-restaurants-strike-idUSBRE97S05320130829
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/29/us-usa-restaurants-strike-idUSBRE97S05320130829
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Russian Artist Seeks Asylum after Putin Portrait Seized.
A Russian artist is seeking asylum and has fled the country after four of his works, including a portrait of president Putin in lingerie, were seized from a gallery for "extremism."
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Russian-artist-seeks-asylum-after-Putin-and-Medvedev-portrait-seized/30255
Here is the artists' website.
http://altunin.at.ua
Growing as an Artist - William Zuback.
Introducing the first post from guest writer William Zuback....
Growing as an artist
Reviewing my artistic journey over the past year and a half has brought me to some significant realizations with how I’ve grown both with my art and as a person. In December of 2012, a few months after having finished the photography for my Identity series, an incident and discussion with a past friend happened that was very telling of our differences. In the end we moved on and I wished him well but I was struck with a comment made at that time, that maybe my Identity project had changed me more than I realized? This idea remained with me for some time and I would revisit it in my head often. After much internal reflection and soul searching, my friend was right. The Identity project had and has changed me forever. What this realization also brought attention to, for me, was that if my art and my dialog around my art fail to have a profound impact on me, how can I expect it to move, inspire or create thought and dialog among the people I hope to have the art connect with?
The best part of my Identity project experience was the private discussions that took place prior to the photography. Truly honest, respectful and at times emotional conversations that made me feel honored, proud and in some ways humbled to be part of the experience. With the end of the Identity project I was searching to fill a void that for six months was so rich with human experience and had manifested itself in the images created for the series.
I was looking at my photography and at the same time looking at how I could slow the whole process down to create an environment that became more conducive to what I experienced with the Identity work. So in February of this year I chose to go back to film, not only film, but back to my view camera which I hadn’t used in over twelve years, since I converted 100% to shooting digital. I continued to create portraits, many of them nudes and what I found was that my subjects also responded to this slow process of creating images. It became a shared experience greater than what I’ve experienced shooting digital, which often times is, all about quantity and quickness. My slowed down “new” old process allowed me to see with more clarity, compose with more precision and feel with more intensity both the craft and the art of photography. My subjects, many of them never having been photographed in this manner also embraced this slower and more personal experience.
Maybe it is the fact that I’m well into middle age and that honest and shared experiences and developing personal relationships is way more important and meaningful to me than capturing the next cutting edge or cool image. Most of my artist statements have usually included a line or two, that for me, it has always been more about the journey than the finished product. This has always been my mission but it didn’t resonate as strongly as it has since experiencing the Identity project.
I by no means am saying that it is the correct process for everyone but it works for me. It has enriched both my personal and professional life that fits with where I am in life and I don’t see it changing anytime soon. I would love to hear about your process? What drives you as a creative person? What is your achieved outcome with the work you create?
Growing as an artist
Reviewing my artistic journey over the past year and a half has brought me to some significant realizations with how I’ve grown both with my art and as a person. In December of 2012, a few months after having finished the photography for my Identity series, an incident and discussion with a past friend happened that was very telling of our differences. In the end we moved on and I wished him well but I was struck with a comment made at that time, that maybe my Identity project had changed me more than I realized? This idea remained with me for some time and I would revisit it in my head often. After much internal reflection and soul searching, my friend was right. The Identity project had and has changed me forever. What this realization also brought attention to, for me, was that if my art and my dialog around my art fail to have a profound impact on me, how can I expect it to move, inspire or create thought and dialog among the people I hope to have the art connect with?
The best part of my Identity project experience was the private discussions that took place prior to the photography. Truly honest, respectful and at times emotional conversations that made me feel honored, proud and in some ways humbled to be part of the experience. With the end of the Identity project I was searching to fill a void that for six months was so rich with human experience and had manifested itself in the images created for the series.
I was looking at my photography and at the same time looking at how I could slow the whole process down to create an environment that became more conducive to what I experienced with the Identity work. So in February of this year I chose to go back to film, not only film, but back to my view camera which I hadn’t used in over twelve years, since I converted 100% to shooting digital. I continued to create portraits, many of them nudes and what I found was that my subjects also responded to this slow process of creating images. It became a shared experience greater than what I’ve experienced shooting digital, which often times is, all about quantity and quickness. My slowed down “new” old process allowed me to see with more clarity, compose with more precision and feel with more intensity both the craft and the art of photography. My subjects, many of them never having been photographed in this manner also embraced this slower and more personal experience.
Maybe it is the fact that I’m well into middle age and that honest and shared experiences and developing personal relationships is way more important and meaningful to me than capturing the next cutting edge or cool image. Most of my artist statements have usually included a line or two, that for me, it has always been more about the journey than the finished product. This has always been my mission but it didn’t resonate as strongly as it has since experiencing the Identity project.
I by no means am saying that it is the correct process for everyone but it works for me. It has enriched both my personal and professional life that fits with where I am in life and I don’t see it changing anytime soon. I would love to hear about your process? What drives you as a creative person? What is your achieved outcome with the work you create?
____________________________________________________________
Take a look at his website below...
And make sure to catch his new show Identity, at Frank Juarez Gallery, opening October 24th.
Long Necks and Patterned Sweaters. The What.
This piece, unlike "We Don't Kill Cats" which I'll delve into later, came to me pretty quickly as I was trying to fall asleep (after a few hours of frustrating work on "We Don't Kill Cats") and turned out very similarly to what I originally imagined...a rare outcome in my work.
The piece is a commentary on modern culture and a interesting POV I heard in a documentary. The main statement that stuck with me was..."If you're not great, pretend, and if people don't believe you, pretend louder." and I think what they meant was to not give up, not feel down on yourself...to believe in yourself and what you do....To not let the pessimism of others negatively effect your life. But what that statement actually says to me is "don't actually work hard, just tell people you work hard." and that's a very different statement..
This piece is about that perspective. The idea that "I'm already good enough, so if I just project that, people will believe me, buy into me, and I'll succeed." and I don't think that's a good way to go.
The patterned sweater in the piece is the "ad." It's the "look at how good I look" instead of "let me show you how good I am". It's all flash and no substance. It's got a billion little parts, but no hidden message, no purpose...It looks extremely intricate and time-consuming, but in reality, its creation amounts to some patterned doodling...mindless mark-making.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it doesn't look nice...that's the point.
The rest of the piece is bland...minimal...maybe even forgotten. You have a partial frame...a partly done face...a simple long neck that may crack at any second, sending the head spilling to the floor.
We don't know the man...or if it IS a man...we don't know the intent or if they have an intent....we don't know their thoughts as they stare straight back at us. They await our judgement...and a patterned sweater, a long neck, and a blank face is all we really have to go off of.
We Don't Kill Cats. Photos and Close-ups.
A better look at my recent favorite...
We Don't Kill Cats.
36x48"
Acrylic and Pastel on two hinged cushions.
Have We Reached the End of Warhol's 15 Minutes?
Does a new show of unseen photos from Andy Warhol, photos he may never have considered art himself, prove that we've moved beyond Warhol?
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2013/aug/27/andy-warhol-photographs-auction-celebrity
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2013/aug/27/andy-warhol-photographs-auction-celebrity
WSJ Blasts Syria Plans.
The Wall Street Journal has a scathing reaction to reports of the supposed plan of attack on Syria, which the White House says will not aim for "regime changing". Take a look.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324591204579039011328308776.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324591204579039011328308776.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Schools Dump Healthy Lunch Program.
We may have a growing obesity problem among the young (or every age group, for that matter), but that apparently isn't enough to offset $30k in losses for a school's lunch program...
http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/DA8EDQ3G0
http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/DA8EDQ3G0
Long Necks and Patterned Sweaters.
Long Necks and Patterned Sweaters.
36x50"
Acrylic and Crayon-pencil on Canvas.
National Civic Art Society Delivers Scathing Review of Eisenhower Design
Yet another change to the design of the Eisenhower Memorial was submitted and, unsurprisingly, no one's impressed (at least no one that already didn't like the design). Take a look at this scathing review from the National Civic Art Society's President Justin Shubow which, by the way, was presented with designer Frank Gehry just feet away...
Thank you, Madam Vice Chairman, for allowing me to speak to today. It is an honor to speak in front of the appointed guardians of the National Mall. My name is Justin Shubow. I speak on behalf of the National Civic Art Society, a nonprofit dedicated to the classical and humanistic tradition in public art and architecture.
To use the terms Mr. Bowers [Gehry’s partner] employed last month at the Eisenhower Memorial Commission meeting, the focal point of the latest design is now “more of a teenager dreaming about his future.” It is “a much more casual position and figure.” In other words, Eisenhower is depicted as a lounging adolescent, a juvenile—a teen dreamer.
He is an unrecognizable, generic figurine without personality, character, or gravitas. He inspires not a feeling of awe but of “aww, shucks.” What we see is a not a historical individual, but a stock character in a fable or an episode of “America’s Got Talent.” The statue is a sentimental piece of kitsch that belongs in a snow-globe.
The teen dreamer is not even an original depiction of Eisenhower. In Abilene there already is a so-called “Little Ike” statue of a life-size adolescent seated on a wall. That folksy work was sponsored by the Abilene Kid’s Council. And not uncoincidentally, the Eisenhower Commission has repeatedly stressed that children are the main intended audience for the Memorial. Yet memorials should appeal to all ages. The Lincoln Memorial engages children—and adults—without the need for an overly literal, Disneyfied diorama at its core.
Although in politics Eisenhower played on his mythical bucolic roots, as far back as 1942 he complained in private about what he called the media’s stereotype of him as a “Kansas farmerboy.” Surely we all know that this misconception about his identity was disproven once and for all in the 1982 book The Hidden-Hand Presidency.
I don’t have time to discuss Maryland Avenue sightlines in detail, but I’d like to note that in the slide Mr. Bowers showed us of the view up that avenue toward the Capitol, the Memorial’s columns were hidden by trees in full bloom. I’d like to see that same view in winter. I’d also note that in that slide the trees clearly encroached on the viewshed to the Capitol.
I do, however, urge this Commission to examine the Memorial the way it is intended to be seen—through one’s iPhone. [Pulls out iPhone and peers through it.] I speak of the so-called “E-Memorial” component. Via augmented reality, images of war will be superimposed on the Memorial landscape. Kids no doubt will find the battle scenes super cool, and super solemn and super contemplative. Maybe the electronic goggles will show that one of the statues is in fact barefoot.
But perhaps this is all beside the point. When looking at the gigantic Memorial as a whole, the focal point vanishes to nothing. The towers looming over the boy are so titanic that former Fine Arts Commissioner Diana Balmori said, “You would feel like an ant next to them.” At 80-feet-tall by 10-feet-wide, the towers are even bigger than the interior columns of the building we’re in [the National Building Museum], which are 75-feet-tall by 8-feet-wide. Not just crushingly inhumane in size, the pillars exhibit as much artistry as an incomplete highway overpass.
Those pillars uphold the gargantuan so-called steel “tapestry,” which Mr. Gehry and his team have variously called a “curtain,” a “shroud,” and a “diaphanous membrane.” Depicted on that veritable iron curtain is a landscape of barren trees in permanent winter—an allegory for hopelessness and death.
In sum, Mr. Gehry’s design is topsy-turvy in its scale and symbolism. By inverting the values of our commemorative tradition, it shows itself to be a genuine work of deconstruction. It is a temple, yes, but a destroyed one. It has no roof, no front, no steps, no walls. Living nature has reclaimed it from within. And the Holy of Holies, the sacred object in the temple, is missing. It has been replaced with a profanation, a great man cut down to size. The Memorial is a temple to nothingness, a remnant of a ruined civilization.
At a prior meeting of this body, then-Commissioner Michael McKinnell sensed as much. He said, “[I]f I can be facetious, the tapestry, when you and I are long gone, will disintegrate and the columns will be left and it will be like [the Roman ruins of] Paestum.” So much for the permanence of the tapestries.
We believe that imagery suggestive of an America in collapse makes a mockery of a national memorial and vandalizes Eisenhower’s memory.
For these reasons, we respectfully request that you scrap the design in its entirety. Thank you.
Informal Warhol Photos of Celebs to Become Exhibit.
Even Warhol got Turned Down From Time to Time.
It's uplifting to realize that even those we now consider great had setbacks in their careers...
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Obesity Era: What's Behind the Gain?
It's pretty common knowledge that the US has a problem with obesity. According to research, 1/3 of American adults are obese and we pump BILLIONS of dollars per year into efforts to curb the climb, educate, and move toward a more healthy life...but what if obesity isn't wholly about eating habits and self-discipline?
An interesting article based on new research finds that not only are humans facing an obesity epidemic, but marmosets, monkeys, mice and a variety of lab animals have also followed an upward trend in weight...what's causing it and what can we do about it?
http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/
An interesting article based on new research finds that not only are humans facing an obesity epidemic, but marmosets, monkeys, mice and a variety of lab animals have also followed an upward trend in weight...what's causing it and what can we do about it?
http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/
India Declares Dolphins "Non-Human Persons"
In an interesting announcement the Indian Government has declared cetaceans, the group of animals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, "non-human persons" and, therefore, have their own set of rights and cannot be held in captivity...take a look...
http://english.pravda.ru/science/earth/05-08-2013/125310-dolphins_india-0/
Long Necks and Patterned Sweaters.
A new piece with just a couple hours work so far. Very happy with how the patterning of the sweater took shape and am excited to get to work on some more details in the face and background.
While I think it needs something, I'm also very attracted to the empty space around the subject...it makes the sweater, neck, and face pop and, I think, it puts a focus on the relationships between the shapes, colors and size of the three separate "objects."
The ability of that open space to push your attention to the face, neck or sweater could be a great tool and could really help drive home a message...
3D Printing Comes to the Art Market.
In case you've never been content with simple reproductions of masterworks, don't want to pay an artist to create a copy, and are simply unhappy with any original artwork you might be able to find, you now have the option of spending $35k on 3D printed versions of famous Van Gogh's complete with "brushstrokes".
http://hyperallergic.com/80667/van-gogh-museum-3d-prints-its-own-paintings/
We Don't Kill Cats. A New Piece.
We Don't Kill Cats.
36x48"
Acrylic and Pastel on two hinged cushions.
Artist Wins Suit, Franco Stays in Fridge.
A Spanish artist has won a lawsuit filed by The Franco Foundation, an organization which seeks to protect the legacy of ex-dictator, as his work was found to be a legitimate form of expression. He talks with The Art Newspaper further about the case...
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Franco-can-stay-in-the-fridge/30239
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Franco-can-stay-in-the-fridge/30239
Grading Obama's College Proposal.
What does Forbes think about Obama's recent college proposal...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhorn/2013/08/23/will-president-obamas-proposals-make-college-more-affordable/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhorn/2013/08/23/will-president-obamas-proposals-make-college-more-affordable/
UN Investigators Attacked, US Likely to Intervene.
Two new reports this morning from Syria...
a convoy of UN investigators was shot at
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/26/20192545-un-inspectors-car-deliberately-shot-at-multiple-times-by-snipers-in-syria?lite
And the US seems likely to intervene, though "how" is still unknown.
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/26/20196657-first-thoughts-military-action-is-coming?lite
a convoy of UN investigators was shot at
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/26/20192545-un-inspectors-car-deliberately-shot-at-multiple-times-by-snipers-in-syria?lite
And the US seems likely to intervene, though "how" is still unknown.
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/26/20196657-first-thoughts-military-action-is-coming?lite
The Developing Syria Situation.
Many reports about possible action from a variety of sources...take a look...I'll update links throughout the day as news comes up...
A Running update...
http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/aug/26/syria-crisis-military-action-un-inspectors-vist-chemical-attack
Assad says US will fail if it intervenes...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/26/us-syria-crisis-russia-assad-idUSBRE97P02R20130826
WH says Assad is Behind Attack...
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/08/senior-administration-official-very-little-doubt-assad-regime-behind-alleged-chemical-attack/
A Running update...
http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/aug/26/syria-crisis-military-action-un-inspectors-vist-chemical-attack
Assad says US will fail if it intervenes...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/26/us-syria-crisis-russia-assad-idUSBRE97P02R20130826
WH says Assad is Behind Attack...
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/08/senior-administration-official-very-little-doubt-assad-regime-behind-alleged-chemical-attack/
WMSE Cancels Art City Radio Show.
I'll make no bones about it...I like talk radio...so it's no surprise I was a bit excited to hear WMSE was going to extend their local talk radio to include a number of other topics and shows. I was especially excited to hear they were dedicating one show to art with Mary-Louise Schumacher's Art City....but apparently others were not.
The show's been canceled after one premier show with no explanation other than "the leadership of the Milwaukee School of Engineering did not want to air Art City"...take a look...
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/221158361.html
Now...i can understand engineers not being interested in art, but you'd think they'd have gotten it squared away before they created an entire radio show, advertised about it, hired people to do it, had them prepare several shows and aired the premier as if nothing was wrong...but i guess I'm inexperienced in the radio world...
The show's been canceled after one premier show with no explanation other than "the leadership of the Milwaukee School of Engineering did not want to air Art City"...take a look...
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/221158361.html
Now...i can understand engineers not being interested in art, but you'd think they'd have gotten it squared away before they created an entire radio show, advertised about it, hired people to do it, had them prepare several shows and aired the premier as if nothing was wrong...but i guess I'm inexperienced in the radio world...
Sunday, August 25, 2013
We Don't Kill Cats. A Strange New Piece.
Not quite finished at about 36x48" on two cushions, We Don't Kill Cats. is definitely one of the stranger, more cryptic pieces I've done in a while. It's still got a bit of work to do and some definite thinking needs to be done in order to fully explain it...but I'm really liking the loudness of the color and the jarring aspects of the composition...
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Not All Public Art Has to be Expensive to be Effective
Yarn bombing...proof that public art does not need to be expensive or permanent to be effective
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/yarn-bomb_n_3795156.html?utm_hp_ref=arts
Known Faces of Unknown People.
Lotsa faces popping up in art recently...subconscious self-portraits? historical influence? reflections on what's going on around me?
I suspect it's a mixture of all three...
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