It Goes

Met with my AWESOME advisor today (you know who you are). I am super pumped about this new idea for a final thesis. Hopefully I'll be sticking to my guns, although I see very little reason for why I would change my mind.

I rather not divulge much before I really take a deeper plunge into this project, but I will say that it is going to deal with archives, curation, use of digital media, rethinking of the term "tactile" and the new role of a user/viewer interface in a gallery setting... among other things. (I think that was a terrible sentence structure.)

Right now there are a lot of pragmatic issues with the project that need to be smoothed and figured out. I never thought I would be in the position to say this, BUT, it seems that technology is turning out to be very limiting in this case. I am definitely out of my league and treading on unfamiliar ground.

First there is a question of whether or not I can find the right type of technology to meet with my projecting and display needs. If I had an endless supply of money (which I do not) I would opt for the best of the best, however, at this time I need to concentrate on how to use the funds I have available to create something that is close to my vision.

Problem number two is either finding a way to program or finding a person who is experienced in the art of programing. My idea may seem simple (ish) but putting it all into a fully functional program is somewhat a problem for me.

The one part that is truly a joy in this project, is getting to appreciate the archive that I am working with. I have to constantly remind myself to keep on track as I am catching myself being mesmerized by some of these images. The issue, at this point, is not deciding on which images to include as a good representation of the archive, but which images must I exclude, as slowly I fall in love with all of them.

As the weeks roll on, I promise to be a lot less cryptic as to what my project idea is. Also, I invite anyone and everyone to comment and/or suggest any reading and/or visual references that may be relevant.

And so it goes.


(Oh man!... can my sentence and paragraph structure be any worse? My high school English teacher is crying right now and I bet she has no idea why... this is why!!!)


Image by Jill Greenberg from her "End Time" exhibition. There is definitely something about the colors in her work that I find very appealing.

How to Spell MANNEQUIN

Random Fact About Me:

I used to dress mannequins for a living. I don't mean those terrible styrofoam analogous representations of human beings that you find in a Macy's or Sears window. I am talking about stunning, almost human like mannequins, with beautifully rich glass eyes and flawless synthetic skin. The kind you see in a Bloomingdale window during the holiday season. (I assure you that the costumes I had for my mannequins do not even compare to the extravagance of Bloomy's.)

I have no idea what it is about mannequins and dolls that draws me to them. Maybe its the thousands of years of human history associated with them. Perhaps is the childhood fantasy of wanting your doll to come to life, that later turns into an adult nightmare. I was/am so intrigued by them that I started making my own miniature versions with polymer. Go figure.

Anyway, here are some random images, that I googled, of mannequins and things associated with jointed dolls. Perhaps you too will get some form of inspiration from them.

Enjoy

Trapped in a Fairy Tale

To make good on my previous post (this blog needs some colorful variety) I have picked the first set of images that at one point or another (and possibly even now) have captured my attention.

The following images by various artists have brought to life the fairy tale world that I have imagined. The first time I laid eyes on these images I was captivated and spell bound by their wonderful use of composition and color.


Image by Dave Lachapelle


Image by Tim Walker


Image by Annie Leibowitz

Images that Inspire

Many artists can place themselves and their creative development based on who they admire(d) and who they aspire(d) to be like at some point in their careers. They can trace back their progress through who and what they were looking at, at a particular moment in their creative development.

As for me, I have always been more inspired by images rather than image makers. An Edward Weston pepper here, an Edward Curtis there, and a William Claxton (RIP) somewhere in between. If I enjoyed a few images by a particular image maker I would go on to delve deeper into what else the creator had to offer. Many times, however, the images that inspired me were from no name photographer or even photo enthusiasts. Magazines, drawings, sketches and even literature, have all been instrumental in my development as an image creator and an image appreciator.

So, what I am attempting to say in 250 words or less (a poor attempt, I know) is that I will attempt to feature various images in the contents of this blog. Perhaps, if you are reading this, the images will inspire you, as they have/are me. Or, (and I shudder at this thought altogether), the images that I post, will help you to understand me better.

Whenever possible, I will attempt to provide the name and a link to the artist whose images I use.

Happy Observing.

A Little Town with a lot of ART...

Ever end up in Binghamton?

While living in Upstate NY (thats the real upstate and not the catskills as some of you NY City dwellers seem to think), I would travel via Grey Hound Bus Lines. Like clockwork the buses would always stop over in Binghamton NY for a layover. I was never impressed by the great pot hole parking lot near an old brick building, that the city of Binghamton calls its bus station. I was even less impressed when the bus would take the "long way" around the "city" to get back to the road to civilization. It was then that I swore to myself that I would never end up in that little hole in the wall town. Little did I know that, not 2 months after graduating from SUNY Oswego, I would spend 6 months living in this little town. It was probably the best 6 months of my life.

Binghamton is nothing exceptional to look at. From what I recall, their great claim to fame was a bunch of old carousels and IBM. However, the people there were just wonderful. If you made the effort to be nice, the town would welcome you with its arms wide open. I always remark that if the town had a better economy, I would not at all mind living there. Binghamton is close enough to the city (NY City that is) and is far away enough to be considered the middle of nowhere. And, most important of all, if you are a SciFi fan, it is also the home to Rod Sterling (Mr. Twilight Zone himself) and his weird little museum.

I think I digress.

I was in Binghamton this past weekend, attending the art opening of my friend Mike Leonard (check out his stuff here www.michaelleonardphoto.com ) at the Brunelli Fine Arts Gallery (check them out here www.anthonybrunelli.com) and I was astonished at the crowd that showed up. At one point I felt very claustrophobic.

As I walked outside, down State St. I was flabbergasted at the number of people that made it out to the first friday events. It was incredible.

So, in a long and winded way I suppose what I am trying to say is a few things;

1. You never know where you are going to end up so never say never.
2. Binghamton is a great little town with a lot of art and even more very pleasant people.
3. I talk too much and should learn to keep things to a 250 word max. story.

So, if you are ever in the neighborhood, check out Binghamton's Art scene and stop by the fine folks at the Brunelli Art Gallery.


Now, stop wasting your time reading this and go do something useful with your life. :D