Thanks to http://www.booooooom.com/, we’ve discovered these really intricate carved skulls by Dimitri Tsykalov, made from miscellaneous fruits and vegetables. Visit his website for more.
With the proliferation of text-messaging and chat conversations and all sorts of data! being! transmitted! at! amazing!! speeds!!! throughout the world at any given SECOND, and in all sorts of RiDiCuLuZ FoRmZ, it seems only appropriate to base one show… or maybe even tons of shows… off of this theme. Which leads me to this post.
James Harris Gallery in Seattle currently has a group exhibition going on entitled TXT. Graphics and text converge to create two- and three- dimensional works that can be interpreted on multiple levels by viewers. This show runs through August 20th. Here are some of the pieces:
Lawrence Lemaoana’s Things Fall Apart, 2009
Textile (49″ x 32″)
Walter Robinson’s Forest, 2008
MDF, Epoxy, metalflake (84″ x 62″ x 1″)
Anthony Discenza’s EVERYTHING YOU’VE HEARD, 2009
Vinyl on aluminum, Ed. of 5 (24″ x 18″)
Alejandro Cesarco’s Footnote #7, 2008
Vinyl text on wall, Ed. of 5
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On a similar note, Portland’s Recess Gallery has an open call to artists who are working with text. Call is as follows:
Work that recontextualizes the text. Work that informs, invites, or inquires. Work that sends, receives, documents messages/ideas. Work that does work. Work you made. Work that you and someone else made. Work that you want to make with people. Work that is technically proficient? Sure. Work about ideas about ideas about ideas. Work in Helvetica. Work in Garamond. Work in video. Works on paper.
Do you have something that seems to fit? Does it coincide with at least three of the above statements? That’s okay, even if it doesn’t, you should send it to
recesspdx@gmail.com by the end of July for a show opening in the middle of August.
Please include your proposal/project description/artist statement along with some contact informtion, artist bio, or link to a relevant/personal website.
Suggested Additions:
Images of proposed work
Images of recent work
Your phone number
If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to recesspdx@gmail.com.
Washington artist Justin Beckman explores the urban/rural divide through a series of works that showcase nostalgic Americana. Justin’s installations and projections leave viewers with the feeling of having just walked into an abandoned hunting lodge, and while the first impression is one of haphazard nonchalance, a closer look reveals mindfully curated details. In his artist statement, Justin writes about the influence of his small town upbringing, and of the liminal space he likes to inhabit:
“To me, sitting on the fence between urban and rural seems like a great place to be, even if it is a bit of a displaced nowhere. I feel no desire to poke fun at either side, nor do I really feel that I am able to jump off the fence and truly call either side ‘home.’ So, it looks like forever I may stay, atop this fence with my gun, my iPod, and a cold can of Busch beer.”
Two artists, Xia XiaoWan and Nobu Nakanish, have both decided to use thin sheets of material arranged like dominoes to create visual depth. While both explore the use of visuals and space in similar manners, the resulting works are dramatically different, in terms of mood and overall vibe.
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Painting From The Inside Series
Xiao XiaoWan’s finished product feels heavy, in a powerful, laboratory science experiment kind of way. It’s reflected in his use of materials as well, opting to go for a heavy plastic.
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Time + Space
Unlike XiaoWan, Nakanishi’s finished product is light and airy, in material and subject matter.
Now through June 19th at James Harris Gallery (312 2nd Ave. S., Seattle, WA), Tanya Batura will be showing her earthenware and acrylic life-sized human forms. While picture-perfect from some angles, her creations are flawed from other viewpoints — the faces crumpling at scarred points and missing complete cross-sections.
Tonight’s Fremont Art Walk is definitely something to look forward to. If you find yourselves out and about around then, you’ll see there are some pretty astounding works.
@ (710 N 34th St., Seattle)
This multi-disciplinary artist creates wonderful sculptures by melting down and reforming everyday plastic objects. “At the very core of my research is a desire to create a harmony between the reality of my urban existence and my own personal ideology,” says Blackwell.
@ Ballroom (456 N 36th St., Seattle)
After taking photographs of mundane images, Smith slices them apart and ressembles them on large-scale vellum works. Small details overlooked by most people are what makes Smith’s works work. His new pieces seem to stitch together photographs like a fine weave.
@ Caffe Vita (4301 Fremont Ave. N, Seattle)
Combining instincts with academic training, Resur paints large, striking portraits that draw one to the appealing imperfections of human features.
@ Fremont Abbey Arts Center (4272 Fremont Ave. N) accompanied by live musicians Diagram of Suburban Chaos, Logic Probe, and Mt. VJ Lindell Alderman. Afterparty ($5-$7 donation) starts at 8pm and features the music of Candysound and The Low Hums.
I’m a little less interested in saying what I have to say about Craig van den Bosch’s floating worlds of collage, because he says it all in a must more interesting way. Check it:
My current work speaks to the manipulation of the human mind through persuasive, capitalistic imagery and text: Commercial Technological Persuasive Capitalism Coexistence. Pushed against the fine molecules that contain our cortex, is an incessant barrage of media catchwords and phrases. These tools of capitalistic propaganda beat like ocean waves against our psyche, finding crevices within which to invade. These forces shape almost everyone in a similar manner, like landscape being shaped by nature. We are formed through many methods: products, rules, religion, technology, and advertising. These distractions can divert us from thinking about meaningful issues within the world and our immediate lives. This is not a unique proclamation and very few people transcend this diversion, myself included. Media is the kingpin distracter.
Commercials have proven their effectiveness in altering our perception of the self and the world. The power of suggestion they provide is strong. What do we really want? There are people who use suggestion to cure themselves of cancer, to create mob psychology, empower a people for revolution, war or peace. The power of the conscious mind is great. I question the future of our conscious development. Where is this push for advancement, propelled by mass suggestion, taking us?
This media induced need / quest for more has us subjecting our bodies and minds to possibly adverse methods of augmentation. From collagen injections to plastic surgery, we are ready to embrace these alterations to both our physical and cerebral faculties. Teetering on the cusp of exponential technological expansion, integrated with the cortex, we have an obligation to ask ourselves, “Are we ready?” I believe the body will become less vital once the human consciousness is fully utilized through technological enhancements. The failings of the body and slow intake of knowledge will be enhanced. I do not believe these “advancements” will quell our distractions. Nor do I believe that our society will become exempt from distracting ourselves from answering the most sincere questions of existence regardless of what form we embody in the future. In leaving the body behind, we may however answer some of our questions concerning faith and the human soul. Many religions have made this their central goal, a communion with a spirit or oneness. Some believe they can obtain this state through natural means. I believe that technology may prematurely propel us to this state without the efforts and discipline involved in traditional methods. Technology will become a sanctioned drug, if it has not already.
It’s the talk of the town. Finally, the Seattle Art Museum has an exhibition honoring the man of the Seattle music scene — the man who, to this day, people from foreign countries are still bringing up to me when I mention that I’m from Seattle: Kurt Cobain.
I have a love/hate relationship with the Seattle Art Museum, I’ll say right now. They have good exhibits from time-to-time, sure, but what city’s art museum doesn’t? It’s in scenarios such as exhibits like this where it is important that SAM shines. Well, tonight’s the night of the opening event, and it seems like the image that’s being used the most — a 2006 sculpture by the talented Scott Fife — might be the most visually-appealing piece in the show. Photography from Alice Wheeler is also notable, as it was stems from her friendship with Cobain. Other pieces seem more interesting on conceptual levels.
Below is a video introducing the show, and you can view a slideshow here on SAM’s website to decide for yourself.
Polly Verity makes amazingly intricate paper sculptures. Her geometric forms turn sheets of paper into medium-defying series of sinuous curves, and her meticulously crafted animals are imposing in spite of their small stature.
