Visual Influence

MOVING!

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:41:00 +0000

Hello everybody--I just fell in love with Wordpress.

It has been almost exactly a year since I started Visual Influence, and I have learned a lot about blogs since then. Wordpress just fits my needs better and so I am headed over there now.

I've imported this blog onto the new one, so all of the archived posts will still be available. I also will not be deleting this blog, but it will not be updated anymore, so please click here for new posts.

If you have me bookmarked at www.visualinfluenceblog.com it will still work.

Please update your RSS feeds and bookmarks if needed!

Thank you so much and I look forward to bringing you an even better blog on Wordpress.

The De-definition of Art

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:14:00 +0000

Lucio Fontana, Spatial Concept, Waiting, 1960

I'm reading The De-definition of Art by Rosenberg. Highly recommended.

"Fontana...called himself a "spatialist," his gouging holes in his canvases had always seemed to me a Dadaist nose-thumbing at the formalist dogma of "preserving the integrity of the picture plane." With his punctures Fontana transformed his paintings into a species of relief (they are sometimes referred to as sculptures)."

More on Fontana

International Fiber Collective

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:54:00 +0000

I just talked to Jennifer Marsh on the phone--so exciting! She runs the International Fiber Collective, you may have heard of her gas station wrapping project which she got a lot of press for, including a feature in FiberArts Magazine. Jennifer's current project is Interdependence. Participants will create a full-sized tree for display in April 2009 in Huntsville, Alabama. The concept is, "much like a live tree is interdependent on its leaves and roots for survival, societies are interdependent on the greater whole, family units, communities, and countries."

Participants from around the world are invited to create leaves to contribute to the creation of the tree. In total, up to 30,000 leaves may be used. For more information on how to participate, click here. This is open to all age groups and levels of artistic ability.

Jennifer's next, highly ambitious project after the tree is wrapping a NASA rocket! But she needs help raising the money to rent the expensive crane required to install the artwork. Click here to see how you can help and become involved. She needs your help!

Jennifer will be representing Alabama and Community-based medium for my 50 Artists, 50 States, 50 Medium exhibition at The Eclipse Gallery in October 2009. I am still accepting submissions from artists, crafters, and designers. Click here for more info.

I am also working with her to plan a solo show for her amazing sculpture.

25 Disegni

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:24:00 +0000

I love Blu--artist behind the famous MUTO animation. The image below are his drawings that were included in 25 Disegni, a publication of artists drawings. Each soft-cover, 48-page flip book features two artists, one going in either direction. Alas, the one seen here, featuring the work of Blu and Eric Ailcane, is sold out...but there are other interesting books to buy here.

Eric Ailcane (great website--check out his exhibition installations)

Did he just say vagina on the Travel Channel?

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:54:00 +0000

Sunday mornings for me are all about settling down with a cup of coffee and chilling out for a second...this morning I happened to turn on the Travel channel, which is one of the few TV stations I actually watch once in a while.

There was a guy talking about art! I watched it for awhile, thinking this was just a little blurb as usual, and soon they would be on to a different attraction--but no--he was discussing art and only art. It took me a couple episodes to believe this was true.

See, I've said for years that there should be a show about fine art on mainstream television. If anything, simply to expose more people to art. Bring art to the masses. The show is Art Attack with Lee Sandstead, an energetic art historian.

Not saying that the show is perfect--I would quibble with some of his remarks. And he buys into "rumors" a bit too much. But for what the show is trying to do---bring art to a wider audience--overall I was really happy to see it.

Lawrence Fane

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:37:00 +0000

I just came across Lawrence Fane and completely fell in love with his work, more of which you can see here at his website.

His current show is Studio Alchemy at the Zabriskie Gallery in NYC.

You can also buy a book about his sculpture: Machines of the Mind

In the Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:06:00 +0000

My mailbox has been a little lonely lately...
Thanks Stan for this great postcard, it made my day!

Koons Tenets

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:20:00 +0000

I'm reading Art on the Edge and Over by Weintraub right now--I find Koons to be one of the most interesting artists in this book, as he explains that his work, "is about embracing guilt and shame and moving forward instead of letting this negative society always thwart us--always a more negative society, always more negative."

Koons' artwork is based on the following Tenets:

Tenet 1: Sex is not embarrassing, private, illicit, or sinful

Tenet 2: Egoism and exhibitionism are prerequisites of fame

"I was there with two pigs--a big one and a little one--so it was like breeding banality. I wanted to debase myself and call myself a pig before the viewer had a chance to, so they could only think more of me."

Tenet 3: Fine art is a commercial enterprise. (Koons is not a hypocrite)

Tenet 4: Kitsch is captivating.

"I try not to use it in any cynical manner. I use it to penetrate mass consciousness--to communicate to people."

Tenet 5: Price determines desire and merit.

"What I'm saying is that the seriousness with which a work of art is taken is interrelated to the value that it has. The market is the greatest critic."

Tenet 6: Art is a luxury item.

"I'm...trying to capture the individual's desire in the object, and to fix his aspirations in the surface in a condition of immortality."

I rather enjoy egotistical artists, probably because I am one myself. You have to be at least a bit narcissistic to be a great artist, I think.

Diem Chau

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:38:00 +0000

Hand / Porcelain cup, silk, thread

Women / Porcelain cup, silk, thread

Hair / Porcelain plate, silk, thread

Isn't her work gorgeous? See more here.

Peter Plagens: A Painting as it's Painted

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:24:00 +0000

Untitled
mixed media on canvas, 96 x 144 in.
2007

Peter Plagens is a painter and critic in New York.
What is unique about his website compared to other artist websites is the slideshow of the above work in progress, "A Painting as it's Painted."
You can also read his essays and see examples of his other work. And make sure to read his artist statement while you are there--since he is a writer it's quite good.

I came across Peter Plagens because he reviewed the book, Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton in the current Art in America. The review was so good I had to see who this guy was. I do think his work is really interesting.

As far as said book, here is a quotation: "In [an art] world that has jettisoned craftsmanship as the dominant criterion by which to judge art, a higher premium is put on the character of the artist. If artists are seen to be creating art simply to cater to the market, it compromises their integrity and the market loses confidence in their work."

More on Seven Days in the Art World
More on Peter Plagens

Sculpture, Furniture, or Both?

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:34:00 +0000

David Delthony's sculptured furniture = GORGEOUS!

Music Book Art

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Yes, they are books that make music.
And they are for sale here!

Texan artist Jennifer Khoshbin also makes other amazing book art, which you can view here.

Definitely check out her site it is a treat!

Knit your own beaded cashmere gloveletes!

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:43:00 +0000

What a lovely winter project! from Knitch

Also check out their FREE patterns, which are quite good!

I've actually been working on some knitting of my own. I have like 3 projects on needles right now. Too bad I'm so slow and easily distracted....

Wisdom by Andrew Zuckerman

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:55:00 +0000

One of my favorite and most influential quotations ever is included in this film/book:

"Inspiration is for amateurs. I just get to work."
--Chuck Close

Buy the book

Michael Neff: Chalk

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:31:00 +0000

"Photographs of things you might otherwise miss"

These images from Michael Neff's Chalk series really intrigued me. One of those times where I stop everything and say--I need to buy one of those photographs right now. Unfortunately, I can't--because if I had all the artwork I wanted my kids wouldn't eat--but this work definitely made the top of my list.

See more.

Ink & Spindle

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:51:00 +0000

What is better than hand screen printed, limited edition fabric? Hmm....maybe the fact that it is also environmentally friendly.

Ink & Spindle

Cross Stitch a Banksy

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:29:00 +0000

Street art in cross stitch is the latest in subversive cross stitch. How cool is it to be able to cross stitch a Banksy - rather than picture of a kitten holding some flowers?

The patterns are provided free and are surprisingly simple to do (although it’s a whole world of pain reading the charts).

I would recommend doing your street art cross stitch with a bottle of Jack Daniels next to you. It will help the hours fly by.

Also if you are not a fan of Banksy then this cool site also offers patterns in guns, Michael Jackson and for those with a fetish out there people wearing gas masks.

Source: fuldesign.se Via: radicalcrossstitch and trendhunter

Lazerian Lampshades

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:19:00 +0000

The talented Lazerian duo of Liam Hopkins and Richard Sweeney continue to amaze with their exquisite ‘Light Modulator.’ Certainly not content with being called a mere lampshade, this computer-generated form is carved from birch plywood using a CNC router. The construction is composed of 26 individual units to create its lace-like symmetry.

Lazerian works out of their studio in Manchester, UK, which used to be a hat factory.

Source: lazerian Via: yatzer and trendhunter

Chain Reaction from Honda

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:36:00 +0000

I love chain reactions. They are fun. And hard to do. My favorite is The Way Things Go by artists Peter Fischli and David Weiss. This link is a little bit of it, but the entire video is really worth watching. I had to do a chain reaction for an art course and I thought it was completely pointless at the time...but now I get it.

i left this here for you to read

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:47:00 +0000

This is a great project by Tim Devin, a Boston-based conceptual artist and writer.

From the website:

About this magazine
Each month or so, we release a new issue of "i left this here for you to read." We then leave them in public places (such on park benches, on buses, in airports and dentists' offices...) for anyone to take--free of charge.

Currently, we distribute our magazine in Boston, New York, and LA. We only print about 50 copies of each issue, and don't reprint any past issues. Sorry, we can't mail you any copies--we only send them to contributors.

Email us at i.left.this.here@gmail.com

They accept submissions of writing, art, and even objects. And they automatically include every single thing they receive. Of course I sent them something! Go here for more info.

Insecurity Envelopes by JK Keller

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:47:00 +0000

I'm really amazed by the number of spectacular artists I come across everyday that I've never heard of. So many artists, so little time!

It's even better when a spectacular artist has a spectacular website. Check it! You won't be sorry :)

Mail Art from Russell Manning

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:57:00 +0000

from Russell Manning
Texas

What a great piece! Love it!

The Wandering Uterus, etc.

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:48:00 +0000

I've been extremely busy so I apologize for not updating Visual Influence as much as I would like. Just a quick update about my other projects:

I've been posting on my blog/zine The Wandering Uterus quite a bit lately. Personal stuff but if you are interested in knowing me on a more intimate level, that's where I share about all the randomness that is ME.

I'll keep Visual Influence for art inspirations and influences.

The Emergence Project has a new look.

And make sure to check out The Eclipse Gallery's blog for updates on what is going on over there--sneak peeks of our upcoming artists and keeping up with our renovations.

Fiber Love

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Postcards by Marty Calhoun (left) and Carol Tamasiunas (right)

Make a Fiber Postcard for Valentine's Day (yeah, I know it's a little early to be thinking about it but hey...) for the post office of Loveland, Coloardo who has been re-mailing valentines from around the world since 1947, adding its own special cancellation and poem. Loveland is the hometown of Fiberarts Magazine, one of my faves. There are some guidelines so make sure to check those out before you mail! Deadline January 15th, 2009.

Yes, I do artwork!

noreply@blogger.com (sarahelizabeth) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Buy Gas, 9" x 12", Mixed Media with Stitching
More info here

Smoke Cigarettes, 8" x 10", Mixed Media with Stitching
More info here

Pay Taxes, 8" x 10", Mixed Media with Stitching
More info here

I finally got moved into my studio and I can actually work in it now. Amazing! Actually it makes me really happy--I've never had this much space before. I get so much more work done with things organized and not cluttered!

These three collages are all in shadowboxes, the fuzzy parts are from contact paper stuck to the actual glass of the frame. I like the 3-D effect, but of course like everything it looks much better in person.

Some of the components of these works are years old, like the text---I really needed to get this out of my system and it was very cleansing. Off to a new era. If you are interested in these works they are for sale here.