Visiting Artist Critique

So I got to experience my first artist critique with a complete stranger yesterday and it was not my favorite. If you are in any way familiar with the series that I have been blogging about so much then hopefully you would know some general idea of what I am doing and how important both aspects of the title and the piece are!
We were told to not be defensive and work on our listening skills and that is exactly what I did but I was a bit upset and annoyed that the person didn't really take the time to actually read any of the titles, he just skimmed over a few of them and made a bunch of suggestions that I didn't feel like fit what I was trying to do. It was a bit of a wasted critique I think because since he didn't bother to take the time to read the titles he didn't understand and so none of his comments were really on the mark or things that I wanted to change. His impression was that I am trying to create some experience for people through their senses but really, I am trying to educate viewers. I don't know, maybe it was the time constraint or the maybe I didn't articulate myself as well as I could have (but I am usually really good at doing so) that he didn't get it. But yeah. If I have another critique again I hope it goes a lot better than it did yesterday......

Phone vs. Email Interview and more

It has taken me a while to complete all my interviews but I finally got them finished and most of the titles are finished too! I did have some issues with one person's stuff though because I guess I didn't make it clear to them what kind of information I wanted so we tried an email interview first and the way they responded was completely different than how I knew they would on the phone so I wasn't that excited about using that information. However, I struggled to find a way to talk to them about it so I wouldn't offend them. I had to talk to my professor about it before I did so. I don't really want to offend someone who is already doing me a favor you know?
Turns out thought that it was a relief for both of us to be able to talk it out and I think she was much more excited about being in my art show after she understood what I was doing. So that was a win-win.

Here is a title that I have finished:

I feel like if I can get through that then there aren’t many things I can’t get through so I might as well keep trying…adversity elicits strength…I don’t give up or quit trying even after I lose…I am more tolerant… more perseverant…more observant…more stubborn…I don’t like one uppers who think life is a contest… There have been some really degrading things and I feel like I’ve done enough to compensate for that and I am content with myself, mostly…I am more proud of myself…Now any disapproval of me is from me.

What do you think? 

Dream Job Perhaps?

I was exposed to Claire Morgan's impressive artwork this week and I loved it! I also enjoy it when I find an artist that is as passionate about her process as well as her concept. It fascinates me to think about how she was able to transform her drawings and drafts into these 3D sculptures that obviously take a lot of time and patience. When I did a similar hanging project with some paper mache can that I had made, I had a really hard time hanging that piece on my own and if you looked closely, the mechanics of it did not look that great. Those cans were the size of my first however and I couldn't imagine making a sculpture out of pieces that could be as tiny as fruit flies. Whaaat?? That's crazy.
Claire Morgan, if you ever need an intern to help you out with your artwork, just let me know and I'll fly out to Europe to give you a hand and learn from you.

Allusions/Illusions

It's crazy to see how the mind can be tricked to see things that don't exist. I think the majority of the world's population loves to see artwork that deals with illusions and transforming space that are simple yet ingenious. I really enjoy art that speaks to the people so that ones who may not be exposed to art as much will still be able to digest it and get something out of the experience or exposure to it. I guess relevance is the key?

This is the work of Regina Silveira who is an artist from Brazil.

Here are three pieces that I found out about this week in class that I really like.

This last piece reminds me of a tunnel or a doorway that leads to endless possibilities. It is a surprisingly soothing piece.

Plant symbolism research

Leading up to today I have been working on researching different types of plants that I could potentially use for my series this semester. I have been trying to find plants that fit the personality of the people that I have been interviewing so that I can begin making small drafts of what I want each piece to look like. 

Some of the categories I have sorted some plants into are Love, Happiness, Healing, Protection, Purification, Wisdom, Endurance, Strength, Growth, Prosperity, Peace, Comfort, Hope, Hidden Worth.

Some of the plants fit into more than one category so I think that will help my concept so I won't have too much clutter but enough content. I am also thinking about using different perspectives of each item so that the viewpoint is not always the same. 

In addition to researching plants I have also been doing some color research to find some refreshing colors that are peaceful and energetic, and may symbolize growth. 

So much stuff to read!! More later....

Interviewing progress

I have begun my first few interviews already for my series and so far they are going pretty well. My typing skills however are not as up to par as I have hoped and I worry a bit that I may miss or have missed something when people are still talking. I think if I ever did this again then I would want to bring a recorder or something.

I do love the interaction that I get with the people I am interviewing though. Because I know most of them so well, sometime I can kind of anticipate what they might say in response to one question...there is always some nugget of info that surprises me still. I love people and I especially love the ones that I get to hear from because while it may be something I know a little bit about from their past, it's completely different to to hear them tell their own story and explain their own character to me. I think I definitely made a right decision in adding this process to my artwork because I know it helps keep me on the right track of telling their story from their point of view. I would never want to make a piece based on what I think I know about them without having a conversation with them first. If that makes any sense....

I am really loving the work I am doing now and I wouldn't mind continuing this series in the future to be honest. I am just worried because other people in the class have already started turning out drafts of their work and I still have nothing but these interviews and I don't even have all of them yet....

Tribute

To James Turrell. What a bad ass!

Had to read an article about him last week in class and it was really inspiring to find an artist so dedicated to his artwork. I find it fascinating how he is so meticulous with all the details. As someone who also has a meticulous personality when it comes to their artwork, I feel like I can really relate to that.
While I haven't gone to the same lengths of research or put in the same hours, I hope to find something that I feel really compelled to spend so much time with. Also, now after learning even more about him it is now on my bucket list to visit the Roden Crater sometime before I die. haha Or just a entire show of his, but we will see what will come first!