blog

2010-03-13T13:57:00.003-05:00

It seems like our show will be an interesting mix of work.

I appreciated the comment about distancing the pads for people to step. I hadn't thought of that and it might help my initiative, complicating the idea of "doing multiculturalism".

I'm looking forward to all of the work. Julie W's paintings look really good. I think the card that states the url of the "event" or "album" is a good idea. I wonder how the larger painting will complement the grid of smaller paintings within the gallery (its placement). I'm curious about the context which the documentary photographs will be placed as well as the additional images which were not included in the edit presented on Friday. I hope there will be more because I couldn't really understand a sense of place from the images so far. Jeff's piece sounds like it will be more dynamic than before. The bunk bed seems like an interesting idea. It immediately reminds me of childhood (I have a bunk-bed at home too). I still wonder how the "5-senses" could be pushed towards some critical end or attain some constructive purpose along with its experiential value. I really like the graphic design map. It looks very clean, but a little confusing to read. I think the 3 paintings about mechanical processes could be strengthened. Maybe you could touch them up in a few areas or add more compelling colors, unless they're designed to be somewhat sterile looking. I like Priyam's woodcut prints. Maybe the tile idea could be pushed further (a large painting comprised of tiles?). I was very interested in the mock interior spaces, although it didn't really seem like you were going to use them.

2010-02-26T15:30:00.006-05:00

Below is a compilation of various screen shots taken from different instances of engagement. Utilizing a base similar to a Dance Dance Revolution platform, viewers will interact with the work by stepping on either available four corners. Upon step, an embedded sensor will trigger a projection of videos at random. As one's connotative and denotative processes are culturally specific, the viewer will extract unique meanings from the juxtaposition of various videos. Although the extracted meaning is specific and individual, the piece hinges on a collective participation to function at its full capacity as the imagery becomes even more random when different corners are activated simultaneously. Utilizing media relevant to "my generation" and rooted in personal experiences, I attempt to engage the viewer through the lens of anonymity that seems to sustain and cultivate interpersonal significance.

I intend to use 4 projectors and four walls. Audio will be included.

2010-02-20T15:11:00.003-05:00

Group Review 2

This weeks crit went well. Many people left early, which allowed for more critical engagement with our work so far. Jeff Masino described his work with more detail than previously. He is still interested in juxtaposing 2 images (one still the other video) and interested in incorporating sound. He is considering building a viewing space and perhaps projecting onto the ceiling. Julie Wongbangdu is still making "Facebook Paintings" and has decided to limit the number of large scale works. She is also finding ways to incorporate the light or glare on computer screens into her color palate. Priyam is creating paintings related to the dreams with various washes. She plans to use woodcuts.

Jeff Masino: I think Paul Chan would be interesting to check out. I feel like the work could benefit, if there were some kind of comment or larger idea that it sought to address. However, it is interesting in its abstraction.

Julie W: I really like your idea so far. I am curious to see how they will look. I enjoy your painting style and don't really have/nor can make any kinds of suggestions. Although, your plans to incorporate the actual website (Facebook) seems a bit unclear to me.

Priyam: I think Paul's comments in the previous crit were really useful, at least for me to understand your process and the resulting work. So far, I enjoy the atmospheric and washed out quality of the pieces. How would you display them? Would you frame them or tack them up? I feel like this decision is important to the conceptual initiatives of your work.

2010-01-30T16:50:00.004-05:00

Group Review 1

Jeff Masino: Photo/sound based work that intends to "stimulate all the senses". I wonder how the booth/sculptural element could be included. I'm curious about the dreams. Maybe you could provide a wall piece/write up or incorporate it better into the actual piece (one of the juxtaposed projections). I was confused by that the most. Also, the vibrations seemed tricky, but I'm not too familiar with how that works.

Priyam: Paintings/Woodcuts: I wonder how the work would hold the wall, if there are only 6 @ a small size. Would they be displayed in a way that shows their relationship?

Kerry: Traditional Ceremony: I think adding a facade (whatever the places you visit during the ceremony look like) or some additional element to the door would assist the work. A video of a performance or a performance the day of the opening would be nice.

JulieW: Internet Paintings: I like the smaller paintings, but the larger one seemed more effective. The captions will probably be very important to inform the viewer that the images are taken from Facebook (or any social networking website). Aside from the captions, I think any apparent relation to the actual website would dilute the work.

2009-12-01T16:55:00.004-05:00

7 Days in the Art World, Points of Interest
"The Crit"
-The crit's length
-The dog at the crit
-The described environment
-Chris Burden's comment about performance art

2009-11-29T21:25:00.005-05:00

Bucket of Blood

Although a bit slow at times, the film's humor kept it enjoyable. The character's interactions and involvement with "the art world" were represented nicely.

2009-11-29T21:13:00.003-05:00

Alex Bag

Her character is convincing. It's obnoxious and clever. She utilizes a range of emotions and takes on various personalities in support of her critique. The low-tech quality assists the conceptual aims of the film. I feel that the quality engages the viewer in an uncommon manner. There seems to be a "less is more" quality, as the artist is often centered in the frame while addressing the "audience". I am interested in the way working with a very low budget and with low tech means can work as a conceptually for artists.

2009-11-29T19:37:00.009-05:00

MFA Group 1

The gallery transformation proved useful. The additional walls in the main corridor as well as the sheeet in the "video room" allowed for more work to be shown. The curtain in the video room was appropriate. It allowed the artist to utilize elements of the gallery to complement his work in a cohesive manner. As the film depicts fabrics blowing, it was presented as a projection onto a curtain.
I enjoyed Megan Flaherty's photos and video. The choice of an intense matte paper aided the subject matter. The ominous quality of the landscapes was supported by the darker tonal range. I appreciated the simplicity in their display. The very slim silver tacks enhanced a sense desolation. The video seemed to challenge the photos, as it offered a different perspective on still life and landscape.
I liked Erin Dunn's video and installation. I enjoyed the way she incorporated elements from the video, including plants and colors such as green and pink, into the space. It was fun to watch and walk through.

2009-10-28T23:12:00.002-04:00

Grad Schools

UCLA
Syracuse
USC Annenberg
Chicago

2009-10-28T15:44:00.005-04:00

Damian Ortega "Capital Less"

Brown honeycomb like forms. Large.
It was nice to examine the structures. It seemed like they could be fragments of city buildings. The size of each structure combined with the holes and cracks made me think of what my living space might be like if I were an ant.

Jill Magid "Objects to be Handed Over or Destroyed"

Photographs. Text - Narrative. Video Screens. Paintings.
A solitary video screen in a room with still life photographs and text positioned on the wall. The space seemed very sparse. The subject matter of the photos aided that. I enjoyed its minimal design. The text, which I can't remember specifically, complements the photographs. I enjoyed the way the text enlivened the static still lives.

Nick Mauss

Video. Surfaces. Drawings. Paintings. Sculpture
One piece I really enjoyed was a continuous analog projection obstructed by a metal bar. A stripe of color moving from left to right against small green background upon a white wall can be noticed. I liked this piece because it appeared very simple. I think it is a very smart way of representing time, space and motion, if that was its intention.

2009-10-15T21:28:00.007-04:00

Soviet Art Photography

I visited the Zimmerli Art Museum to see the exhibition, "Soviet Art Photography." Much of the work is black and white, with the exception of one series of experimental color prints. In general, the photographs are very formal. Many of the prints utilize line and shadow in ways that carry some literary value. I find that most interesting about the show as a whole. I really enjoyed Vladimir Kupriyanov’s work. The crumpled paper adds to the feeling of nostalgia that I experienced when looking at his images. Not only does the image reflect age, but the material does as well. The gallery space itself is also appealing. Much like the photographic scenes, the photographs are hung in a manner that conveys order and simplicity. While I enjoyed the work for its formal quality, I was moved very little. Perhaps the "intent" did not meet my eye. The work jogged my memory of past shows and projects that I had completed in high school (specifically printing on crumpled paper). I could seem myself utilizing this in my own work, perhaps by projecting images and text on handmade paper. I was very interested in the arrangement of the images, I appreciated them and their simplistic display. It showed how order worked and was an interesting perspective on the way sequencing can function. The value of shadows and direction of line is something to consider and caused me to think about not only composition within the frame but the composition within the gallery space.

2009-10-01T12:38:00.007-04:00

Gallery Visit

Juergen Teller: It seems like the work is better suited for a magazine than a gallery. I couldn't understand its intention. While I started making connections between the nude models and the nude sculptures, a few of the photographs, specifically those which depicted snapshots of individual sculptures, led me astray - directing my attention down another road, towards the words sleazy and cliche.

Nobu Fukiu: Definitely inspired by pop culture. The work includes photographs of The Simpsons characters and utilizes bright candy colors. Despite its attempt to entice visually, I was bored. Aesthetically pleasing and intriguing but appears very tired, conceptually.

Barthelemy Toguo: Probably the most interesting of all galleries visited. The items incorporated are used in a very articulate manner. The space itself was also compelling, visually. Wasn't too excited by the drawings/paintings. However the photographs, accompanied by humorous wall descriptions, were enjoyable.

2009-09-30T20:40:00.020-04:00

Rebecca Epstein
Concentration: Graphic Design
Interview by Naqeeb

N: When did you get involved with art?

R: I started in high schoool. When I went to summer camp in Philly at UARTS, I fell in love with oil painting. Before that, I wasn't really sure about what I wanted to do. So, when I came to RU I took painting 1 and 2 for 4 semesters.

R:Ok. So, are you a double major?

R: No, I just really enjoy painting. I decided to move to graphic design because it was one of my weaknesses. I want to be well-versed in the arts. And, I decided to focus on graphic design for career reasons.

N: I'm really into some of your silkscreen prints. I like how the registration is sort of off. Can you describe your aesthetic choices?

R: I kind of stray away from printmaking. I found that with my prints, they were usually a bit off. But, I'm usually happy with them no matter how they come out. I run with that style because it makes them more personal.

N: Definitely, I'm into it. Do you find that it relates to graphic design at all?

R: Graphic Design is a bit more technical. It's all about being able to visually express a certain idea. Typically, its more client based but sometimes I do some work for personal reasons. Actually, kind of off topic, I give away most of my paintings. So, in that sense, I usually consider the personal aspect a bit more when creating work.

N: You mentioned "career". How do you envision yourself career wise in the future? And, how might thesis initiate that transition?

R:Well, I want to do some gallery work. That would be fun. For thesis, I'm thinking of doing coloring books.

N: Thats cool! What about coloring books?

R: Ok, so kids are typically drawn to coloring books, right. Well, I want to make a more mature version. I'm thinking of basing them off of Mad Libs.

N: Mad Libs?

R: It's a game. You are given a list of nouns, adjectives and verbs. From those choices, you fill in sentence blanks. It's pretty fun. I want to have words like, "fuck, nipple..." -laughs- you know. Along with the humor, I plan to include my own illustrations and typography. Also, it would be cool to interact with something hands-on in a gallery.

N: That sounds great, I'd try it. What else interests you?

R: I like reading about graphic design. Specifically, Looking Closer by Micheal Beirut. It's a book about visual ideas and graphic design. I've got a bunch of LIFE magazines from my dad. It's fun to notice how graphic design has changed over the years. I watch old movies too and visit a bunch of websites all the time. I'm inspired by those things. I like walking in the city and talking to friends, just being able to get something out of my experiences in life.

That's basically what I've been up to.

2009-09-27T16:14:00.006-04:00

After reading an article that addresses the relevancy of camera phones, I've been thinking about photography more loosely. Although the quality of a D-SLR or Digital camera exceeds that of a camera phone, the potential of capturing more compelling images, those which signify an "invasion of privacy", enhances its appeal.

This image represents my attempt at being sneaky. I've taken many "crappy" images with my phone. And, as expected, most are unworthy of consideration. However, in what seems to be a shift to a lo-tek, quantity oriented image movement, what does "crappy" really mean anyway. All we, assuming both you and me, want to know is what happened.

2009-09-18T09:26:00.026-04:00

David Goldblatt: Inersections Intersected

Among other interesting aspects of David Goldblatt's work, his ability to articulate the relationship between images is most notable. Goldblatt offers color and black and white images that successfully demonstrate the capacity of a thoughtful edit.

Consider the grouping and juxtaposition of the photographs. On 1a, the first level of his exhibit , images are arranged in groups of 2 and 3. On 1b, the second level of Goldblatt's exhibit, the artist intersperses color and black and white images.

This could be interpreted as a context/content complement, as the pace by which one observes the work becomes slower. Thus, with high hopes, the viewer develops a deeper comprehension of the work.

Emory Douglass: Black Panther

The Black Panther movement lives through Emory Douglass. Listed on a wall hanging, a Black Panther reunion is set to take place sometime during October 09. That said, the impact of Douglass' work, upon its conception, is still resonant.

Emory Douglass' use of slogans and phrases help articulate the feeling that the graphic attempts to express. Although adhered, considering both text and image as separate entities might prompt a different understanding of the work.

I cannot imagine this exhibit successful, if either text or graphic existed as an individual series. However, as a unit, the work is as strong as the characters depicted.