back to black

I have been using power tools too much lately and I wanted to return to some drawing and something organic. I began this 5'x3.5' drawing. It revolves around the female being born with all the eggs she will ever need for reproduction. In front of the image of a medieval illustration of a woman's torso opened like a curtain from a stage play, there is a seed pod spilling it seeds into wind. This piece deals with my own apprehension about pregnancy. Year by year my lifetime supply disappears into oblivion. Medieval illustrations of anatomy are humorous to me. They depict women (and men) and their organs as curiosities to be discovered.

Returning to the line, brushstroke and

chalk-mark is a welcome change.

For my project I will be displaying my profiles in a few ways. First, I will build a small library unit and place the profiles of the Ancestors on the shelves. Displaying the profiles in this way will reference books to be read, stories to be told, people to meet, faces to learn. The elderly in this society are often placed away from the rest of the world. "Put on a shelf, " in a way. Tucked away to collect dust. These references are also recognized with this piece

Second, the profiles will be placed at eye level around a room where the viewer can circle around, surrounded by the Ancestors. In the center of the room will be their stories, in the form of unopened letters. The viewers are encouraged to open these letters and read them. These profiles will be reflective so the viewers can look at the profiles and also see themselves reflected in the faces of their Ancestors. My attempt at creating a mirrored surface on wood has failed. I plan to try cutting profiles out of mirrored glass next.

I almost have 100 profiles.

Thinking about layers, continued

I have given thought to the reflective aspect of the work. By using a mirror spray or paint of some sort, the viewer will see a slightly unclear vision of themselves within the profiles of the Ancestors. This act of viewing a reflection will cause personal reflection on the work itself. I need to be careful with the reflective surface because I don't want any references to the industrial. I thought of coating it in a layer of encaustic. This would uphold the organic feel of the work without letting the mirrored surface take over. Faces reflecting faces. Different sets of values staring back at you.

thinking about layers, continued

I have been thinking about adding a new layer to the Ancestor/Ancestry project. Some kind of reflective surface would be compelling. If the viewer gazes at the profiles of the Ancestors and simultaneously see themselves it would add wonderful poetry to the piece.

Thinking about layers

Layers in my work:

physical

human

life accounts

historical

ethics

psychological

graphic

responsibility

craftsmanship

three-dimensional

traditions

interpretive

How do they interact?

The depiction of multiple faces reminds me of some ancient works. Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors, the marble busts of Roman emperors. More on this tomorrow

what happens to the fine china?

What does it mean when the last of the generation gives way? How is this passing marked in time or history? What happens to all of their fine china?China collections seem to be a thing of the past. Today, married couples seem to put more stock in other things, rather than choosing their own china patterns and displaying them proudly in their curios. Sure, these things may be passed down, to be put on top shelves until the holidays, but what does it really mean to the new generations?
What do collections mean? It seems primarily to be a Western phenomena. This is my collection of pewter.... carnival glass......Pez dispensers. It seems we are all hoarders to an extent. We hoard things that act as signifiers of wealth, hobby or obsession. People in other cultures hoard yams.....stories.....memories. We seem to connect our memories to material object more than any other culture.

Ethics, continued

A discussion in class Saturday brought me back to the idea of ethics and the representation of people. What does it mean to present these images? Am I taking the right route or can it be said that I am assuming their voice? What can my presentation say to people who see the final piece? The work is meant to stand with a certain amount of reverence, to the people and their lives. It is also meant to present them in a humbly understated way. A sort of quiet monument-not a spectacle. Who am I to speak for these people? There is a difference between someone who would come from the outside and create this work, and me, who has been involved in the community for many years. Does this information need to be involved in the final piece for the work to be more effective?

Thoughts?

work

The art of photographing ancestors

Here are some anecdotes from my recent photo sessions for the project.

Many ladies told me they had horrible profiles, and some of them asked me to "shave a little off the neck."

One man turned down the photo and then later told me in the hallway that he would let me photograph him. When I arrived at his apartment, he wasn't there.

I was turned away from one apartment because of a bad hairdo. I'll be back!

When I arrived at one apartment, the wife answered the door half dressed. They were getting ready for a funeral and forgot I was coming. She kept saying "come in, come in." I politely declined.

One woman insisted on putting makeup on and a new sweater. She looked fabulous!

More stories to come, I'm sure.

What happens to all the fine china in the west?

More to come...

Ethical Expression

What are the ethics of my expression? Do my modes of expression have any ethical baggage/meaning/weight? Ethics often is seen as referring to a positive state of being toward mankind. Things considered harmful can also be seen as unethical, but the definition of ethics seems more subjective. The definition I found for ethics was used in a sentence : The puritan ethic was being replaced by the hedonist ethic. Who is to say which ethic is really ethical?

Within the next week I will be thinking about my work in terms of ethics and how it relates to my life and where I work.

My Arty Valentine

These are some photos of entries into my sketchbook as well as some photos that help explain what keeps me from studio work!

Stories

I have started to receive my stories in the mail. This is the more exciting part of the project. I am thinking about how to display these stories with the profiles. I thought of either having them in a book for people to read, or actually having them in the envelopes at the exhibit for people to open themselves, reading them for the first time. The act of experiencing the story is important to the project and it would be nice to have people read the stories as part of viewing the work.

What do you think?

Ancestor Photos!

The project starts oficially tomorrow. I have about ten ancestors lined up for their profile picture. I found it difficult to set myself up to them, asking them to have their photo taken. One woman downright refused, saying "I like to be alone." Another woman laughed and said "I don't have a good profile." and another said "as long as I don't have to look at it...." For some background, I have worked at a retirement home for eight years. During this time I have met with many residents and become close to more than a few. The idea for this project came from these people in particular, but also includes family members, both immediate and distant.

Studio and materials continued

Studio and materials

This is one of the many profiles I am compiling for my project.

My studio is full of natural objects I have collected over many years.

Ancestor/Ancestry

Chinese ancestor worship emphasizes the influences of deceased relatives on the living. It is believed that these ancestors maintain an interest in family affairs after they have passed on. If the family members engage in the continual remembrance of their ancestors, they will be treated favorably by them from beyond the grave. Shrines are built in the home and ancestral tablets serve as stand ins for the loved one. The purpose of my project will be to bring to light the contributions that our ancestors have left us and continue to leave us. Instead of tablets, the ancestors will be represented by silhouettes and a book will accompany the installation with stories from the ancestors.

Ancestor/ Ancestry Project

I have been thinking about my own environment in terms of human relationships, the people I interact with, and their stories. Working at a retirement community thrusts my into many people's lives for a short time each week. I would like to start a project based on these people, taking inspiration from Chinese ancestor worship, Victorian silhouettes and medical statistics.

Clean..

A clean studio makes a productive studio....which makes it dirty again. I'm o.k. with that.