Intermedia Machine

The constant challenge to be able to communicate in our fast-paced technological society is dependent upon our ability to use the current tools, which seem to change rapidly.  As technology marches forward, leaving behind those individuals who can't keep up with the techno-savvy crowd, we are creating a culture of obsolete people and machines, amassing hugh volumes of potentially toxic waste and producing a greater divide between the "Haves" and "Have Nots". 

This sculpture called "Obsolete" incorporates outdated objects that were once very useful and informative tools for communication. To build the sculpture, first I collected a wide variety of trashed items: a phone, radio, calculator, 8 track tapes, vinyl albums, cassette tapes, keyboard, film reels, slide carousels and a film viewer. All purchased for 20 bucks at the local treasure warehouse, Urban Ore. Then I began to deconstruct each item and reassemble them together into a new machine of dysfunction. The use of a glue gun provided fake cob webs, creating an antique look and dark blue paint in the background evokes an ominous feeling. The only truly function component is the film viewer (generously salvaged from a friend) which allows me to interact with the obsolete machine in a frustrating and comical manner. I inserted one of its instructional films and tape called "Innovative Thinking" as a communication platform to dialogue with the art for my performance.  

Exodus Dream

Last Fall I had an epic dream about witnessing a mass exodus. As far as I could see behind me and as far as I could see in front of me there were crowds of people migrating from a distant war-torn land across a vast barren and formidable landscape. They were moving slowly, with heads down in exhaustion. Fear and anxiety filled the air. I couldn't see their faces clearly, but felt somehow compelled to warn them that the safe place they were journeying to was no better or safer than the place they had left. When I awoke from the dream, I shared their dread. It made me think about how over the course of history numerous tribes, communities and religious groups have had to flee their homeland as refugees in hopes of finding sanctuary elsewhere. 

This dream led to a series of paintings that attempt to recapture the emotions, movement and sense of place I was experiencing in my subconscious. Filming them together and adding sound helped convey the essence of what I was feeling. The entire piece is over an hour long and will be exhibited at JFKU as part of our Intermedia class's final critique presentation. I've included a small sampling above to share with you and hopefully receive constructive feedback. Thanks 

Self-Mastery

This collection is the first time that I've included paintings, photography, fused glass and nature arrangements from my garden together in one slide show to represent my passion for art. In the past, I considered each of these different mediums as separate, but part of the whole range of media that interest and inform the work I create. This week for a final presentation in my Self-Mastery class I decided to edit together my most recent work to share with my other classmates. Producing and publishing this collection is an extension of new intermedia work and interpersonal relationship understandings. The intention is self-disclosure, cataloging my efforts and graciously appreciating and acknowledging the interconnectedness of the individual artistic expressions with One Spirit.     

Masks

For over ten years I've been photographing different masks from around the world. 

Some are mine, some belong to friends, and some photos are courtesy of the artists who made them. Studying the variety of cultures and their mask making abilities has taught me to appreciate the common denominators as well as the vast extreme use of materials, expressions, and personalities represented by the artists, shamans, craft persons, and priests who created them in the own image of God and/or Man..  This collection is intended to reflect and bring together the diversity and connection of understanding our representation of ourselves and our Gods.   

Moaning

"Moaning" is another filming experiment where I used focus and zoom to create a very different visual experience with my painting. This time there aren't any photos included within the artwork to create visual associations, so the feeling of understanding the work becomes more abstract, more intuitive. The journey becomes joining the details. I've noticed the closest we often view our object world is from an arm's length maximum. The camera pushes me closer. And yet the opposite of detail becomes the unknown where the potential of anything exists. Not being in focus allows more of visual rest, turning inward because the fewer outward demands provide  the opportunity to reflect. Really seeing the paper and brush strokes in much more intimate detail and yet at the same time remaining obtuse in subject matter.

  In this example I was more aware of the music and film mixing together while shooting. Using a tripod vs. handheld makes a dramatic difference too!

River Video Test

After buying a camcorder a few weeks ago, I've been experimenting with shooting short films of my paintings and collages. The interesting aspect of working in this manner has changed my perspective of observing art. As if flying over a landscape, I now have a bird's eye view which reveals details lost when studying the entire piece at once. When playing back the video I was struck by how closely the experience resembles my dreams where often I'm flying over environments, swooping down to examine a situation more closely and then soaring back to greater heights. Also, working in this genre has forced me to learn a new language--imovie. It seems like a relatively intuitive program to use, but I'm disappointed that I can't layer images or add sound editing. I guess my next investment will have to be FinalCutPro. There's a natural resistance for me at first to spend more time on the computer when what I really love to do is manipulate paint. But I am thoroughly enjoying the investigation of working in cross media platforms, where I can include my photography, painting, light, sound, and motion. 

More to come...

    

Flotsam and Jetsam Totem

Born from storm drain birth canals

the treasures washed ashore in E-ville

our gift to our grandchildren's grandchildren

remnants of fossil fuel called Polly Mer.

One hundred miles of plastic island floating

Our arty facts of 21st century cloned.

Play toys, gifted pets and playground fools

find their way among fishes and folks with hooks.

Bright colors fade more slowly than driftwood.

Bottled water floating in sea water.

The birds are watching what we're doing.

Outside only the old heavy sinks.

Thirty minutes of collecting great knowledge

a world of abandoned consumerism

our waste is not forgotten easily.

By waves or intent and greed,

The silence is spoken in tides.

Mother Source witnesses the disrespect.

Screw this, glue that, personification prevails

seeing more clearly the fog of discarded past

transforming a moment, a place, a peace, a totem

to honor what's naturally knot.

Cords of conscious crap discontent

revealing seastuffs renown as Drift Plastic.

Bill Viola, Video Artist Presentation