blog

Our Friend Bill

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:51:26 +0100

After working for the last two years at the Fruitmarket whilst I am studying at Edinburgh College of Art I have been fortunate to witness many good exhibitions from both sides. Recently before I came to New York the last show I worked was Bill Bollinger and it was the one that I enjoyed the most for it had a different conversation.. Whilst here in New York that same exhibition has come to The Sculpture Center. In addition to the works at the Fruitmarket there were other Bollinger works that were not in Edinburgh adding the to experience. The honest gestures and simple materials leave the viewer at the perfect point to start their thinking without the pretentious over tones of work we see forty years later.

The Lonely Savage

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:45:53 +0100

I am always seeking and witnessing words on the street as sometimes they feel more pertinent to me than those that are published. This isolated writing in Brooklyn was in a barren area and really spoke to me. The photo I have to give credit to Julia Yusupov as I did not have my camera at the time.

Lonely Savage probably refers to text in David Hume‘s essay XVI, entitled "The Stoic"

The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness. For this were arts invented, sciences cultivated, laws ordained, and societies modeled, by the most profound wisdom of patriots and legislators. Even the lonely savage, who lies exposed to the inclemency of the elements and the fury of wild beasts, forgets not, for a moment, this grand object of his being.

MOMA - Lee Bontecou

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:40:56 +0100

Seeing work by Lee Bontecou over Spring break was a real surprise at MOMA. I had not seen her work before but really wish I had.

This work is Untitled but was made back in 1961. Its form and presence seems timeless with only the materials harking back to work of that era.

Sound art work by Semiconductor

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:27:22 +0100

Here is a sound piece by Semiconductor. The work is part of an exhibition currently on at LABoral art center in Spain. The title of the show is Visualizing Sound - Representations of Sound in Contemporary Creation. This work by Semiconductor alongside other works are really inspiring to my current work.

http://vimeo.com/semiconductor/20hz

Here is the link to Semiconductor's website and other work here.

LABoral site here

I found the link to this through we make money not art blog here.

Thomas Schutte - Peter Freeman Gallery NYC

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:31:57 +0100

Last Tuesday we spent a day looking around SOHO district of NYC. One of the highlights of this area was found in Peter Freeman Gallery space http://www.peterfreemaninc.com/exhibitions/thomas-schtte_1/

His sculptural works as well as his woodcut large scale prints were on offer. The works occupied the half renovated commercial space really well. The size of the works alongside the high ceilings combined with the finesse of the works and shabby decor complimented each other. For me seeing the direct link between sculptor and print especially the woodcut process was intriguing to witness.

3D Imaging - Perception Lab SUNY Purchase College NY.

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:18:45 +0100

With the interactive sound installation elective we spent time learning how to project a 3D image. The video was taken from two digital cameras position eye width apart and cue together so the images recorded are what we see as humans. These two recordings are then projected onto opposite sides of a weather ballon with digital projectors. The result is quite mesmerising. The first day we did not have the images framed or edited the second day we had done this however I was unable to capture the event. Here are some still images of the projection, I will post a moving image once I have edited it..

Woodcut Print Projects So Far

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:10:02 +0100

So here in Purchase I am being introduced to woodcut and then lithography. The projects are about learning the process not focusing too much on the idea or concept. The rough outline for my outcomes came from a visit to Coney Island however this is a starting point and I have been taking the time to see how far I can push woodcut. In other words trying to make a woodcut that is not a stereotypical woodcut. Hence with these first three there is a lot of wood cut away leaving lines which is not so easy with woodcut. I have one more on the way and I will post it once I am done..

Zimoun at Bitforms

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:03:45 +0100

On our field trip elective I was quite happy to arrive at the Bitform's gallery and project space in Chelsea. Bitforms have a cross section of new media and contemporary artists. With Zimouns' work currently on display in both the gallery and project space. Great to see it in person. Here are a couple of pictures as well as a link to the Bitforms site with a comprehensive selection of his work. http://www.bitforms.com/zimoun-gallery.html

Brock Enright - Evening of eye opening prospects.

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:14:10 +0100

Each Wednesday at Purchase College we have a visiting artist come and give a talk within the Visual Arts building. These like at any arts college are up and down and some inspire and others barely keep you awake. Tonight was a talk by Brock Enright, his talk did not fall into either category as to be honest he is not one to quantify. I am left inspired, depressed and in a point of reflection for Brock creates work that is by no means original and fully embraces the avant garde. Talks like this really do help to create an urgency to reflect on your practice and instil belief in that it is ok to keep pushing and especially not to hold back when others say no.

I am sure this talk will cause me much angst over the coming weeks but on the other had it has been a kick to the balls just when it is needed.

Gordon Moore

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:09:19 +0100

One of my days a week here at Purchase is actually spent in Manhattan looking through the art world first hand. Yesterday was spent in Chelsea which is a law to itself with every other door being a gallery. Unlike other cities I have been to with large art scenes this gallery structure is different with no other real business tied to it. If you are in Chelsea I guess you are stating your claim as being in the art world. Quite a different feel one that I am no where close to getting my head around..

We saw plenty of new works by all generations of artists however it was Gordon Moore's painted/collage work that really stood out for me. His work is being shown at Betty Cunningham Gallery. Here are a couple of tasters of his work.

On my travels it was also really good to see some of Joseph Beuy's 7000 Oaks work around the streets of Chelsea.