Installations: Audience interaction

I've had many requests to show more of my work on this blog, so here is my latest experiences with my art installations.  I am fairly new to developing installation art (art that interacts with architecture of the space) so audience responses to the piece are really important to fine tuning it to completion.  It also may take awhile to find the right venue for this interaction to happen.  When the art work is still in my studio, it has yet to be complete until entering the right space with an audience. 

As part of my school's "Integration" event in April, I had the chance to fully display my piece "I'm Knitting Green".  This work came as a gift from a friend who's mother, Mercy, has Alzhiemer's and knits scarves continuously.  The knitting has become her daily 'work' and maybe consolation. I know I was comforted as the scarves draped over my lap as I worked on them.  The floor of the Academy dance studio was perfect for the chalk writing of a poem (also gifted to me) by Pamela Nomura.  Pam had written a poem about Mercy, without knowing I had been working on a visual piece with her knitting.  She graciously allowed me to use it as part of my piece. 



             
It took over an hour to transpose the complete
 "Unraveling" poem by Pam!

As people entered the gallery they tried to walk around the piece. Eventually the gallery was too crowded and folks couldn't avoid stepping on the writing or through the scarves.

 


Raphael guides Mercy across "I'm Knitting Green".

A piece seen to completion.

More installation interaction to come.



Art Opening!

Opening this weekend:  I have been graciously invited by Kim Wysocki to exhibit at the Gallery on the Green, Canton Artists' Guild

Brooklyn on the Fly

New York Foundation for the Art was sponsoring a workshop on public art so Christine and I hustled on out of Academy a smidge early to hop the highway to Brooklyn.  We had the favor of the parking-space gods and snagged a spot just shy of the NYFA's front door, yippee! The workshop featured a panel that included artist Mary Miss and consultant Lisa Kim. It was informative and inspiring (ck. out www.nyfa.org).  We found this on the building next to our parking space:

Jay Street (anonymous memorial).

Brooklyn Public Library entrance.

We did the tourist route: the Public Library on our way to the Botanical Gardens, and then on to the Brooklyn Museum.  Our goal was to see Judy Chicago's "Dinner Party" and we were greeted by several Rodin sculptures in the museum's foyer.  We love this place already!

Botanical Gardens in the rain!

Wisteria canopy.

Judy Chicago's "Dinner Party", Emily Dickinson's place setting.

Lots more to see in Brooklyn, we'll be back!

BTW: yes indeedie, these were taken with my DSLR - considering I had my photo guru with me!

Opening Night!

The Windsor Art Center knows how to throw a party!  With over 150 visitors, the opening for "Women's Work" was a great success.  There was a beautiful and diverse collection of art, and each artist spoke briefly about their work.  I was honored to meet so many nice people that filled the gallery to celebrate our show.

Chotsani (ceramics), me (mixed media), Christine (photography) and Ed Johnetta (fiber).

Me, Will (art director) and Joy (collage)
(Harriett's work in the background).

In case you'd like to visit, the Windsor Art Center, 40 Mechanic Street, Windsor CT, is open Thurs. 6-8 pm, Sat. 10-4, and Sun. 11-4.  The show runs through June 25, 2011.

"One Less for Tea", detail, 2011

Check out more show info/pics on these links:
http://lorraineagri.shutterfly.com/pictures/15#15
http://www.hartfordmag.com/html/calendar/calendar_may.html
July/Aug. issue Art New England magazine, Art Scene events p. 88

Art Opening!

Opening this weekend at the Windsor Art Center, I will have 2 small installation pieces in this exhibit.  it is an awesome collection of artists and I am honored to be included. Hope to see you there!

Mural magic #2

Continuing our quest to stay involved in the arts, my class hiked through the city to the Old State House to work with local mural artist Tao LaBossiere.  As part of the 'United Arts Week' events sponsored by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Tao explains his street mural idea as a 'coloring book' drawing, and invites the public to fill it in.  Lots of paint and chalk on hand.  We're down for that!!

Advertising AMP with his newly designed mural tee (see my previous post), this student maps out territory on the State House courtyard.

These guys have tackled the Capital's dome for their contribution.

Can't resist marking our new home on the Hartford mural, adjacent to the Colt onion!!

We all claim GHAA as our home base!

Some of my students have perfected the art of splattering.

The street mural as we left it at 12:30 pm.

Thanks Tao, we had a blast!!

Ck out: http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-public-art-pictures,0,7185394.photogallery for more info on the event.

Check-in with Ellen Griesedieck

My class had a wonderful invitation to take a scenic roadtrip out to the studio of Ellen Griesedieck in Sharon CT.  Ellen is the originating artist of the American Mural Project, a mixed media, 3-D mural about working people in the USA that has grown into a countrywide community participation outreach.  Ellen has traveled the country photographing and getting to know American workers, and celebraitng their accomplishments through her art. We had the chance to see Ellen's mural in progress and create our own tee shirts.  We were all amped up when we left!

Ellen's 'stuff' where the magic happens - you win, Ellen!

Fisherman from a 'work in progress' section of the mural.

Ellen and me outside her studio (no, I did not get to drive the buggy!)

We first met Ellen at the Hartford Public Library where she exhibited her large panels last year.  AMP will have a permanent home at the mill in Winsted CT. Stay tuned for more visits!  Check out: http://www.wallofamerica.org for more news of Ellen and her amazing mural.