Heart Opening Sculpture
Cardboard, Newspaper, Masking Tape, Paper Mache Clay, and Montana Gold Spray Paint

Charka Art wheatpaste at The Studio Reno...

Hydraphilia

Gail Wight

Before attending Wight’s exhibition, I had a predisposed concept that I would be viewing photographs or some sort of still art.  I was surprised to walk into a pitch black installation room to see a video installation.  In retrospect, there is no other choice to show the exotic work of Wight; however, I am pleased that I was unprepared because the surprise was far more pleasant than perhaps my expectations would have been.

The dark, humidified room set the perfect tone to sit back and witness 9 screens working as one video, as separate videos, and sometimes, as videos mirroring one another.  Some images glimmered while others pulsated in deep hues, persisting in their transformations.  Almost as if watching fireworks in slow motion, vibrant oranges and blood reds sparkled, illuminating bright flakes of gold.  With branch like limbs, there were moments of tree-esque imagery that altered in shape and color as though experiencing the seasons.  At other moments, the imagery seemed grotesque and mocking as though it was my own internal body that preceded my own intelligence.  And then, quite unexpectedly, the imagery would turn magical.  Gorgeous blue elucidated the negative space as Van-Gogh’s “Almond Blossoms” came to life in all of its glory.  Sparkling like precious gems, the vibrant imagery was meditative and inspiring.  Finding peace, the imagery would again transform in a seamless yet shocking manner.  Clouds indicating an explosion would appear complimented by oozing lava-like forms.  As the image swelled and developed my conscious was forced to reinvent my association with the imagery: sexual pulses, nuclear explosions, Mickey Mouse ears, commits in outer space, and the goo from Ghost Busters.

The time-lapse videos of Wight were stunning, contemplative, seducing and fantastical.  Her show title, meaning “many headed” and referring to the Greek myth of a 9 headed monster who grew back 2 heads when one was lopped off, was simultaneously beautiful and morbid echoing Wight’s intention.  Slime mold will forever be more endearing that before my encounter; however, it is Wight’s artwork and insight that are truly commending.         



Reflection:

Why did it make me so angry the way Brian approached the art?  Reflecting on the installation experience, there was so much positive energy.  People were walking by smiling and there was an energy of excitement and intrigue.  I was putting up my art, not just for myself, but to put a smile on the faces of our community.  I have spent thousands of hours learning about the psychology of perception, ancient Buddhist and Native American philosophies to enhance life, the power of education, and the execution of art.  I do this because I have passion and I am driven, AND I am very aware of my responsibility toward the energy that I place in this world, and I work to ensure that that energy is positive. 

Sure it was awesome of Brian to give me the green light, but the way he gave me the red light was selfish, self-centered, and egotistical. 

He gave me an irrelevant rundown of his rent, his square footage, his lease, and on and on as argument for what? How expensive two 60x40” areas of real estate were that I apparently infringed on?  He was so concerned about himself that he never once considered our community. 

What happens when we no longer care about our friends, our city, and our world? To be unaware that the people of the world are disconnected from us enables the narcissistic frenzy to establish status and acquire material objects for oneself without realizing the consequences. 

Art makes people happy.  Art is powerful beyond knowledge and persists across time.  Wake up, get over yourself, and make this world better.

I hate to say this, but I understand now why some artists simply do not ask for permission.        

Yoga Chakra Mats idea proposal and video submission for Manduka Yoga Mat Company...

Last night I went to the BLCC to install my outdoor art (after recieving permission) and while we were there looking at the space, it was decided that placing the art up high (after being offered a ladder) would look amazing and be more amazing if I put up some portraits instead of my abstract, chakra art. 

The chakra art just didn't seem right for the space, so i contacted the owner of the art studio where I teach to see if she would be willing to let me put the art up at her place...she was completely into it!

So, with a new plan, I went ahead and installed two large portaits outside of the BLCC.  People were walking by, smiling, making positive comments, and overall it was a great experience!

Then this morning, I get several long text messages from the owner about how the art is placed up t0o high and he goes on to explain his rent, square footage, his potentially upset landlord, his partner who already tried to get them down, and how I need to get down there ASAP to take down the art.

I must say I am amused at how easily people become offended and stressed out about art...art that is temporary, expected and is removed with water...it's not offensive and it's not rocket science.

What is it with art????

Camel Pose 3D Animation

Banksy Wheatpaste...practice

Wild flower wheat paste

My large chakra installation is scheduled to be installed tomorrow (Wednesday). 

My video for Manduka will be finished this week. We need to finish up the voice over and final edits. 

PEPAKURA...meet with Clint for printing and building steps.

In two weeks I will have:

Documentation of my large chakra wheatpaste installation

Pepakura 3D model

Chakra yoga Mat video proposal

Maye picture of flowers beginning to grow around flower paper wheatpaste art. 





MFA Lecture

Two Cats in Real Life or Cattitude

Amerique Powell

Ribbon - 84” x 48” - oil on canvas - 2012

It was clear from the beginning that Amerique Powell’s lecture was going to be her own way.  With a huge smile on her face, she casually began her presentation as if talking to room of friends.  Her oversized paintings of cats is a loaded topic and not in a profound sort of way, but more in a YouTube video or crazy lady kind of way.  Powell was quick to address contemporary ideology of these felines with a run through of a history of cat paintings.  Powell was smart to take control of her content through an undeniably, serious association.  Immediately perceptions changed, although some of the content remained quite funny.

            Powell took her time taking art seriously, bouncing around through undergraduate majors.  Her carefree attitude quickly changed when she committed herself to earning a BFA.  A true lover of painting, Powell is inspired by color and pattern, but first and foremost color.  She began painting abstract grid patterns that evolved into plaid.  Obsessed with plaid, this pattern would continue to show up on her paintings and on her own body for quite some time.  With an attitude that more is more, nothing could be too busy for Powell’s paintings.  Before earning her BFA, she had experimented with incorporating a cat into an art piece.  Her professor was horrified so she moved on to other content, although secretly, she loved her painting.

            At UNR, working on her MFA, Powell continued to show interest in creating oversized paintings of pattern.  She was encouraged to add elements of realism.  The organized chaos of her work was elucidated by natural colors juxtaposed with candy-like colors, adding an element of hyper-realism.  At her MFA midway, Powell stepped back into the higher learning “uncomfort” zone of cats.  Although the pieces weren’t shunned, they weren’t well received either.  She needed to push it further and really make a statement…and did she ever! 

            Powell’s intuitive paintings grew larger in size, louder in color, unexpected in design, and forceful with energy.  Gift Wrap exposes a vortex of color, something Powell fantasizes about as a reality for her cats’ perception, wrapped around the sweet and silky qualities of her pet.   Tower is in your face, mixing Klimt style patterns with 80’s cartoon’s electrical play.  Powell truly exposes the dynamics of her inner world in an effortlessly, thrilling application.  Her world is as unique and whimsical as her paintings, and although the joke might be on the viewer, it’s with the very best intentions. 

Question:

You mentioned in the promotion for the show that your intention is to trick the viewer, can you elaborate on this?

Answer:

Trick is kind of a negative word, but I want to pull people in to like it even if they don’t want too.