The artwork of Frank Viola (Utica, NY)

 I previously posted a single image of Frank Viola's opening reception as a test when I was having some computer issues with posting images. NOW, I am pleased to give Frank the full-blown recognition he deserves. As I am assuming you can see from these images, his collage and assemblage work is impeccable. And he has worked tirelessly to support the arts in the greater Utica area. I also consider him a friend and a mentor. The exhibit is up until November 25th at the Kirkland Arts Center in Clinton, NY.

Experimentation through consideration

 I am working on a powerpoint presentation for a talk I am giving at Utica University next week entitled "Collage, Creativity, and The Humanities". I always enjoy talking with folks about collage and the creative process. Sometimes when I am in the middle of an evening of collage, I forget all about taking photos (my mind is in the creativity mode, not the "business" mode); but I think that most of the time, I am cognizant of my desire to document the various intermediate ideas that I have for collage compositions, as I experiment with various elements. While I was looking back at old photos, I came across these and thought they were good examples of my experimentation with considerations of different elements.

It all started with this initial image (from a publication called "The Art Journal" from the 1870s). It struck me because of its intricacy and angle...

So I cut out the "structure" and the mirror component of the image and started experimenting...

This element eventually found it's home in this finished collage...

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I am having some trouble posting images on my Facebook account, so I want to try to post here. This is a phot of my friend and fellow artist Frank Viola at the opening reception of his awesome solo show at the Kirkland Art Center in Clinton, NY.

 

The Departure after The Return

 In 2015, I created a piece that I entitled "The Return". It was a bit of a haunting piece, and was popular at a solo exhibition that I had at The Other Side (Utica, NY). One of my friends -- Jimmy -- bought it quickly; and a number of other folks were interested in acquiring it as well. Jimmy passed away a couple years ago, and his wife Karen moved from Utica to Pennsylvania just this past year. While I was helping her with the move, I asked if she was interested in selling the piece back to me (since another friend of mine had always wanted it... and was still interested). Karen assured me that, although she was getting rid of lots of her (and Jimmy's) stuff, that she would never get rid of my artwork (or art book). That made me feel good. This past week, I finished a piece that I had not originally planned on being "related" to The Return, but that turned out to be what I thought was a "prequel" to that previous work. But it's a bit of an odd "prequel" since the individual "departing" is an older man, relative to the return of a young child. Of course, this adds to the surrealistic nature of both pieces, and I hope provokes the viewer's own intepretation of what's going on. I'm hoping to have another solo exhibit in 2024, and I am hoping to borrow The Return to show next to The Departure.

The Return

The Departure

Inspired by Ray Johnson (again)

I've been working on a new piece in my studio and, atypically, I am searching for an element that I am 99% sure I have laying around somewhere in my studio. I say "atypically", because I usually don't have a particular element in mind when my experimentation occurs -- my compositions tend to be emergent (as I have written about a number of times). I can't seem to be able to find what I am looking for. But in the meantime, it is providing me with motivation to clean-up and organize my mess-of-a-studio. I came across this element, which I had decided not to use previously, but had punched a hole out of. Just for fun, I decided to put my finger through the hole and take a "selfie". I was motivated to do this partly because of my interest in the artwork and creative processes of Ray Johnson. I knew that he had done a piece through which he put his hands. When I showed the photograph of me with my finger through the element to my wife and a couple friends, it kind of freaked them out (well, it is weird, and hints of something obscene... which was not my intent). But I think in the context of Ray Johnson's work and the notion that one can "participate" in one's collage, it might not be so weird (but still a little weird). Perhaps entitled, "Selfie, with the trunk in the front"

Tom Nettle at the Schweinfurth Art Center (Auburn, NY)

Enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Schweinfurth Museum in Auburn (NY). The Members Exhibit was very impressive, especially for an "open" exhibit. Lots of nice fiber arts pieces (I have heard that fiber arts are an emphasis of the center). I went to see my good friend Tom (Nettle) present a short talk about his piece (8 other artists talked as well). The talks were interesting, but less impressive; although Tom "owned" the crowd (including me) with his interesting and entertaining talk about his piece, entitled "Memento Morning". Tom and Deale Hutton did the best talks, partly because they prepared. If you are going to talk about your artwork, you should not "wing it", unless you are experienced with doing that. Tom and Deale talked a little bit about their processes, a little about the specific work, and they also included some "supporting" information from outside of themselves. That is, Tom talked about the concept of "memento morti" and about a quote from another artist about painting being perfunctory (after all the preparation). Deale spoke about spirituality. But Tom and Deale were prepared, thoughtful, and informed. Great jobs! BTW, the Schweinfurth Center does a fantastic job posting the exhibit on-line so that you can actuall virtually "walk around" and see the exhibit. It is definitely worth checking out!https://schweinfurthartcenter.org/