Last week was by far the most stressful week of the quarter. All week I prepared my house and transferred it into a gallery…not to mention putting the finishing touches on the actual installation room – which ended up taking until an hour before the guests arrived. From purchasing the liquids, to arranging them correctly, to transporting them downstairs, to filling the cubes up…it was a roller coaster til the very last-minute.

Media

  I had issues throughout the week that were not directly related to my project, but definitely created more stress. Monday before the show, the P-trap drain clogged in our basement which was 15 foot from my dark room. This began to back up water immediately since the air conditioner was running so much. In fact, the AC unit was running SO much that it died Monday afternoon as well. Tuesday we had to have a plumber plus HVAC experts come fix our problem…add another $500 to the total cost of what we have spent so far this quarter (which I will tally up later.) Wednesday I tested all the cubes again with water to make sure that they wouldn’t leak – and in fact, 3 had leaks. Thursday was spent moving all of my artwork around the house to the main level. I ended up having an example of artwork from every class I took at DU on display – which I thought was a perfect way to exhibit my growth considering my final project was so different.  Friday was the soft opening  and I had my mentor/friend/curmudgeon critic/ professional artist Craig Marshall Smith stop over to get his opinion before the grand opening the next night; for him to say it was great eased a lot of my stress and I was confident I created something special. However, later that night we had a major rainstorm and my basement flooded .

Water in our window-well after the storm...the day before the show.

It ALMOST got all the way into my installation room but luckily I got to it in time to push all the water down my newly freed up P-trap.  Saturday I wrote up a creative statement and disclaimer for viewing the show and added some fine tuning to the aesthetics of the house.

The entry way of the show...in my kitchen.Room 1Room 2Room 2DisclaimerCreative Statement

I also had to purchase more batteries and lights for the columns. Lastly, I closed off the installation room completely from the lower level, voiding it of light…which caused a vacuum of suction with the tarp walls and began opening up holes I had to fix all the way up until 5:00 pm. All was taken care of in time and the room was pitch black, perfect. Guests arrived right at 6:00 and stayed until 10:00 pm. I was nervous and excited. The major concern I had during the show was that the batteries/light would wear out OR that the cubes would leak. Thankfully, nothing like that happened. People seemed to be very impressed with the layout of the house and appreciated my efforts. They commented on how nice it was to see what I did during my time in the program and that it was very appropriate to see those first before going downstairs. They had to read the disclaimer before entering the basement as it truly was pitch black and very disorienting. Once downstairs, it was silent and I could sense they were pleased with what was in front of them as the only light in the room was coming from the project. All around the room was the 8-speaker audio of urination and toilettes flushing; which  ironically sounded very relaxing and people couldn’t quite figure out what it was. I led a lot of tours (only 4 people at a time) down to see it and just let them look. The liquid filled all the way to the top created an amazing illusion with the surface tension – people thought there was a lid but only if I tapped the top did they see. The cubes looked as thought they were floating and curiousity was definitely getting the better of everyone who saw it. If they had questions, I answered but if not, I let them assume everything on their own. Looking at my sign-in book, a little less than 50 people showed up. I know I challenged their perception of art. The next day was very sad as I realized that would probably be the only time the cubes as a unit will be on display. Setting up the project is very tedious as I have to take out half of the liquid, pull it off the column, turn on the light, put the cube back on, and fill it back up to the brim. Taking it down requires the same effort but slower as the liquid has to be put into the proper buckets/containers without spilling. I’ve considered converting them into fish tanks now or adding layers of sediment but for all I know, they will remain downstairs collecting dust – which is fine with me since I know what they are and can become.

Room w Light

Far right cubes: Apple juice, white grape juice, lemonade

Seeing my vision come to life, after restlessly stirring in my OCD head for 18 months made it all worth it. What was seen by the audience was exactly what I could see all along. Pictures do not do justice to the experience of being in the room but it is the only documentation of my beautiful, contemporary work of art. I am proud of what I created and feel I have contributed to the progression of art.

Quick sketch of the column with cube.

From the moment I began thinking of this project, I could see everything perfectly in my head. Dimensions, colors, etc. just came to me – which may be why they came out so well and professional. Anyway, I’m jumping ahead. After researching plexi glass and possibilities to manufacture my own cubes, I realized it would be counter productive and not very cost-effective (which by the way this has cost a little over $500 so far) to do on my own – so I utilized the help of my wife to search on good ol’ Google acrylic cube containers (like those used for displaying trophies) and she found six 10″ beauties that fit what I was looking for perfectly. We ordered them and I was very pleased with what came.

Cubes!

Next up was the creation of the actual columns – but I put that on hold in order to make my basement into an art gallery setting or rather create the perfect room in which my project would sit. I started by mapping out the dimensions and painting the floor an oynx black matte finish. Next I purchased black plastic tarps and covered the ceiling as well as dropped 4 walls down encompassing the approximately 10′ x 18′ make-shift room. I must say, it is VERY dark in there! (My children won’t even go in there.) Soon enough, when the show gets closer, I am going to place a stereo outside the room that will be repeating the audio of toilettes flushing.

Mapping out the space

Getting my paint on!

After the room was completed, I had the help of my father to finish the columns. The material used for the columns were MDF as it cuts cleanly and is very smooth. A 5/16″ cut was placed at the top of every 11″ x 40 ” side in order to make the cube set subtlety and safely atop the column. Puttying the holes and splices proved to take a lot longer than I was hoping but the end result looks outstanding. Because there will be a light source on the inside of the hollow column, I spray painted and feathered down a gold shiny coat to add to the effect then painted the outside of the columns with the same black matte finish as the basement floor. Although much time and consideration went into the columns and the room, they are NOT the main visual I am trying to create; that is the gradient value scale color shift of the mundane liquid ingestible materials.

Side walls coming together.

Measuring and cutting.

It has a pulse!!!!

Painting the columns.

Ohhhh yeeeaahhhh!! Lookin good!

Buying and comparing various drinks at the store and my house was the most easy-going part of the week. I bought Red Bull, pear juice, Bud Select, apple juice, white grape juice, Sobe, Capri Sun, ice tea, etc.

Color choices

I was astonished to realize just how many drinks are shaded and tinted the same! (And with that, how many do indeed look like urine.) After pouring them all into clear cups, I chose six that were closest together in the family of value and arranged them accordingly.

And the winners are.........

It will cost quite a bit to fill all six containers full but it will be worth it. I tested out one of the cubes with just water and the effect is exactly on par with what is in my head. Although, it did leak so I had to go back to Home Depot and put silicone on the splices. The columns are now resting gently in the dark room, awaiting the liquid and final positioning. I am very excited! I haven’t set an official date yet but the show/open house will probably be during the evening of July 8th or 9th – which will give me another week to add reflections to the paper. I am excited to host this at my house and invite as many people as possible to share my vision.

My first stages of the paper will be worked on this next week with my advisor and after ideas, corrections, etc. get thrown around and implemented, I should be ready for the show and to add last-minute conclusions to my thesis regarding beauty and art.

The Beautiful Space Invader? The Beautiful “Jersey Shore?”

I’ve just spent the past week in Europe leading seven amazing students on a tour stretching from Italy to France. Though it was not an ”art field trip” it was impossible not to see art. And in seeing the art, it was impossible not to hear it described as beautiful; not only by my students, but also by the professional tour guides. This phenomenal (?) relationship is exactly what I mean to explore: the acceptance/connection of beauty and art. I found that in leading my annual tours with students I had minimal time to conduct scholarly research about my Capstone but as a substitute I experienced a rush of subjective opinions first hand in places that are considered to be the birthplace and context of major artworks. Beautiful was indeed the most used word in every response and reaction. Why? Is beauty the only thing they have in common? Is that enough? Does time and history add to their beauty? Does craftsmanship, creativity or originality have an impact on the iconic status of these artworks? Does the medium have a role? I love asking these questions. They are imbedded in me – I only wish I was better with words to ask more in-depth questions. I love finding “beauty” and talking about it. Being in Europe makes this dialogue quite easy. In fact, I got a severe yelling at while in the Louvre standing in front of a Caravaggio painting when I was discussing with my students the idea David Hockney had about the Masters using optics in their capture of detail, shine, beauty. (The reason I got yelled at was because I am not a certified tour guide to talk to a group of 8 or more about art - though I kind of took it as a compliment.)

The piece that got me in trouble

 I also found beauty in looking at street art (a fascinating new art movement) and more specifically finding Invader’s work up high on the street buildings of Paris. I love how he invades our space, rather than we invade museum space to see art. 

Space Inavder

Something that struck me crossly about beauty, however, was an event that happened while we were in Florence. As we just exited city hall, exactly at the moment when we were about to see David, the students noticed that the Jersey Shore cast was in the square and walked/ran right past David; didn’t even notice him. Granted it was a replica, but still. Beauty won and in this case beauty is modern and now. History took a back seat. The teacher in me is more upset I suppose than the artist in me as beauty is clearly subjective.

Jersey Shore...adjacent to David

When I get back to the states, I have a full week of completing my research and the first stage of my Capstone as well as finishing my structure. I look forward to returning home for more than one reason; most notably my wife and kids.

Ciao Europe and Week 2.

My project, to be put bluntly, is to create a beautiful work of contemporary art that challenges comfort. I plan to push art forward by creating something new, yet relying upon the history of contemporary art to guide my research and further its definition. I have always been fascinated with the idea that ‘beauty’ is attached to art; that art must be beautiful to be accepted. I want to create something that is beautiful, yet isn’t as to the use of mundane or unconventional materials and the higher level thinking it will require to understand my project.  Six transparent cubes will hold various tints and shades  (making a value scale) of yellow liquid in a dark room/gallery. The cubes will be lit from underneath and appear to be glowing as that will be the only light source. The liquid will range from coffee to lemonade in color and what ever other ingestible drinks I can find that fit transition correctly between them. The idea of the yellow liquid comes from walking into mens restrooms and seeing the color of urine in urinals drastically change – a fairly uncommon thing to notice or bring up in public. 

When I tell people of my project, I get various responses and those always tickle me. Everyone has an opinion. Be it disgust, total confusion, or awe. However, knowing that I am creating a work of art that I personally want to see for reasons I am very passionate about  informs me I am progressing art.

This week was spent designing my cubes (materials to use, etc.) and the columns they will sit on as well as continuing to research and prepare the written portion of the capstone – and this will continue but the majority of the next week will be research as I will be in Europe with students. I wanted to get this into a gallery but time appears to be the biggest issue as a month is too short of notice. I had a gallery reserved before but my proposal did not go through and I had to pay that fee. Monetarily speaking, I am not sure my wife and I can even afford that right now anyway so I have also begun designing a room/gallery setting for my unfinished lower level in my house. My house is already a gallery to myself so this almost seems the perfect end to my University College experience.

Although the “school week” ends on Friday, Sunday is the end of the week for my work as will stay busy in some capacity all calender week. I plan to use Sunday as the day to recap the week but will also add comments as needed. I will also be in touch with my advisor weekly. Here is my proposed schedule throughout the quarter:

Week 2                  6/13-6/17  

Design and begin construction of the cubes and begin research for the Capstone paper.    

Week 3                  6/20-6/24          

Complete the column and cubes. Continue to work on Capstone paper.

Week 4                  6/27-7/1   

Review the first stages of my Capstone paper with my advisor.

Weeks 5 and 6                        7/4-7/15   

Make revisions and continue Capstone paper. Show my project in a gallery or rented space and add reflections of the showing of my work

Week 7                  7/18-7/22  

98% of perfect draft due to advisor.

Week 8                  7/25-7/29          

Feedback due.

Week 9                  8/1-8/5     

Revisions made to my Capstone.

Week 10                        By 8/10-8/11     

Perfected Capstone paper submitted to Academic Director by my advisor for final review and upon approval, Capstone is uploaded to ECTD

So stay tuned for more updates, challenges and small victories!

"Mighty Morphing Power Presidents"

well, with a few hours to spare…i found time to finish the final project for the digital media class.  time, however, was not easy to make room for.  i am pleased with the finished result but still don’t know if it is as good as it canbe-considering my lack of knowledge of the medium i used and what it can do.  make no mistake though, i worked ferociously and intensely on this project to make it work-visually and conceptually. in hindsight, taking 3 classes this summer was ambitious and time consuming (as i am currently enrolled in another class) but i am glad i did it.  it felt good to make such a wide variety of art and to learn so much about new media art.  for information regarding this final piece, please continue to read the ”paper” i have written regarding it and my experience.  *you’ll be able to tell when the “paper” part of this blog begins when i begin using proper punctuation, etc. 

My final piece entitled “Mighty Morphing Power Presidents” is meant to be political, humorous, and ambigious (and possibly disturbing).  Although I despise telling people what my artwork is about (I feel it is up to each person to interpret my art and all art for that matter, anyway they want) and don’t enjoy spoon feeding the viewer what to look for, I understand it is a requirement of the project and class to do so.  However, my philosophies on creating art is to search for and to create the “new” and by “new” I simply mean to progress art forward through invention, interpretation, and imagination.  To me, landscapes and portraits or anything done in direct observation or mimicry of the natural world does nothing for art-it is just a hobby being practiced by those who are bored and appear to have a skill.  But to create something new from ones mind that makes people question and wonder about the concept or image itself and not question and wonder how the skill transferred on paper, is art.  So I attempted to create “new” in this final piece with the direction of my own ambition and assistance of a digital medium.

As I have stated in previous blogs, this piece has traveled many avenues to get where it is now.  But where it is relates back to my own philosophies and style regarding art.  “Heads” seem to always pop up as the main focus or drive for my artwork.  The fact that the final project guidelines were fairly open made it an obvious choice and challenge to create a piece related to my on going theme of heads but with this new medium.  Although I truly did want to create something completely “new,” as in not combine images but create my own (like David Ho) I suppose I did accomplish this by definitely creating a new image that no one has ever seen before.

When looking at the piece, hopefully the viewer is confused.  Confusion in art is something that should be embraced more and sucked in as a friendly emotion and not a repulsive reaction.  The confusion will be “who to focus on?”  I have layered an image of George W. Bush with Abraham Lincoln.  The opacity makes it so the viewer can see both at the same time but can only focus on one.  I did a lot of work with placement so the features line up exactly and work with the beard on Lincoln to also line up with the different angle Bush is facing.  I took great care in the faces…hopefully it goes unnoticed by it being so seamless.  Again, I would rather people not question how I did it but why I did it.  The craftsmanship and technical aspect is just a nice bonus in a work of art.

The reason why I chose Presidents as my theme goes back to my “head” theme but this time I wanted a head that everyone could recognize so that confusion would play a more important role.  I presume people will see this however they want and literally they can see it however they want but if you want to dig deep you can guess that I am showing an overlapping of a “good” President with a “bad” president or that politicians in general are “monsters” (which may be a reason I added the animal eyes) or President Bush loves money so much he foresees himself on an American bill.  But in looking deeper to the piece the viewer will see that the background is divided into 2 sections.  The right side of the image is Bush themed with a map of Kuwait oil fields and an image of actual oil fields while the left side is Lincoln themed with a map of Gettysburg and an actual image of a scene from the Civil War.  So I was also interpreting these Presidencies on war and what makes a war worthwhile-whose war was better?  This piece is going to be really, really deep to some and to others it will be offensive and yet to others it will be satirical and to me…all answers are right.  If a person got an emotion, thought, or feeling when looking at it, then I did my job.

4 score and scarerrorism

my “good cop, bad cop” or “mighty morphing power presidents” final project is coming along.  i feel at ease with how things are looking and look forward continuing on with the addition of more twists here and there.  i am trying to make the two faces pop out at the same time to create confusion as well as keep the viewer interested with the overall composition of the piece.  there is a lot i want to do and can do but i don’t want to kill this piece as i truly am enjoying the production of it as a student AND an artist.

aesthetically, i am really enjoying where this is going.  conceptually i have decided to morph two presidents: abraham lincoln and george w. bush.  i normally do not create political art because i feel i have no business talking politics anyway.  but i am combining 2 presidencies of “good” and “bad” as seen by the american public, although the lincoln presidency wasn’t really all good times either.  so at the moment i am working on getting the images combined and the combination outcome will hopefully be somewhat grotesque and extreme.  this final result will be purely driven by aesthetics judged by myself.  i mean no disrespect to either figure by any manipulation…but i am going for an odd image to end with.  on either side of the face will be memorable images from both presidencies-good and bad.  i  have a feeling i will be calling this “good cop, bad cop” or something trite like that.