They ain't ready for this one nephew

Heike Weber is a German artist who makes amazing pieces like this:

Mardin Kilim 2007

silicone

680x340 cm

Dorotheum 300

2007

permanent marker on vinyl floor

Utopia

2009

permanent marker on acrylic paint

I like this statement about her work:

" The foundation of her work is the idea of a neutral space whose potential is first realized through the drawing and is what consciously positions Heike Weber within the critically reflected tradition of Minimal Art. Judd's cubes, Andre's metal plates or Morris' serial objects had focused for the first time on the referentiality of art to its neutral environs... The reality of the room is confirmed, classically, stroke for stroke, line by line, only the next minute to be thrown out of sync. The gestural input, the physical working on a picture support that expands in all directions, seems to veer towards a momentum that now on its part appropriates the viewer. It is not the object on view that finds its irreconcilable and multi-angled visibility made manifest, but the ‘specific object' that strikes back. "

I'm losing my edge (to better looking people, with better ideas, and more talent)

Yesterday, I spent the day at PS1 with a friend that just graduated from our art department. We talked a lot about what art we like, what we make, and the discrepancies between our work and current "trends". I think this is something that people often don't talk about--I know I feel uncomfortable with the topic at times-- but something that needs to be discussed. Some of the work I saw yesterday (I really thought) was awful. It was devoid of context, conversation, or interaction with the viewer.

The number of "Untitled" works was infinitely frustrating. Why should the viewer spend time with your piece if you don't give anything back? If you are going to line up some objects against a wall that have no apparent similarities or interactions the honest viewer will walk right by and lose interest. The dishonest viewer will tell their friends they love it, and refuse to give any reasons-- saying things like "isn't it obvious?" or "well clearly you just don't get it".

Maybe I just don't get it. 

But if they provided a title, however abstract, I would be much more willing to give my time to a piece and really interact with it, try and extract something from it, if they provided ANY sort of context.

Don't get me wrong, there were pieces I really liked and enjoyed, but I feel, for whatever reason, that I need to challenge and discuss things that bother me about "the art world", if only to selfishly work through my own feelings about it. However, as I discussed previously, I feel there is a lack of honesty or forthrightness that is troubling in our contemporary art society. It frustrates and alienates "the average (interested) viewer" and as someone who views art as a form of communication, I find it appalling.

On a brighter note: here are some contemporary works I like and think work successfully around these complaints. They're the ones, in my opinion, who do it right.

(thanks, wired.com)

Isabella Rossellini

Green Porno

(thanks, PBS)

Alfredo Jaar

Also check out the "Lights in the City" project from 1999 under Recent Projects

(thanks again, PBS)

Laylah Ali

Read her profile at Art21.

sweetheart I'm tellin' you

Today I editioned my last edition before semester projects end and summer projects begin. (Up next: PAINT!) Seeing my work from the past four or so months all laid out was both underwhelming and satisfying. I wish I had had more time: I wish I had done so much more. And yet... standing there, looking down on my eight precious editions, I felt like I made something that represented me as an artist. All I could think was, "I did it!". And then I ate my weight in pizza.

Today was also my last day with access to a press for a few months, and I have to say I'll miss it. As much as I love painting and can't wait to start on all of the projects I pushed back all semester, I'll miss printing. A lot. In the mean time, I've got my work cut out for me.

Happy Summer!

Important news: If you're in the Rochester, NY area this weekend, there are some amazing openings you should check out during First Friday: Jen Burger, Luke Shaw, Macie McGowan. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Also, Eva Xie has some beautiful work in University of Rochester's Art and Music Library, opening Thursday, May 6 4:30-6:30pm. Her work will be on display as a part of First Friday as well!

if I am a stranger now to you, I will always be

Yesterday I ran three miles, hiked up a mountain, presented my research poster, and found a Ring Pop for sale. In contrast to my action-packed day yesterday, today I had the chance to sit outside and read, take a long photo walk, talk to some really interesting presenters, and listen to Ryan Adams on loop. It's our last day today, and I have to say I wouldn't mind another day or two before heading to New York... and I can't wait to return here and explore the west with Tim sometime in the not-so-distant future.. though the per diem will be sorely missed!

Introducing: The Velvet Undergrads

April 21- May 9, 2010: Opening Reception April 21st, 5-7pm

The Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition

On another note: I received some good news:

I was accepted into the above exhibition! If you're in the area, definitely come by and check it out! My piece is entitled Observed and is a four color linocut. There are some beautiful pieces in the show this year. It's definitely the best collection work I've seen in this particular show in awhile, and definitely worth the time to see it.