DoA: III

Okay, here's the third installment of my definition of art:

What i love, love, love about art, why I seek it out, why I travel across continents for it's history, why I forgo things normal people would deem logical priorities... is that art is physical manifestation of ideas. Plain and simple. 

So, today I would define art as a manifestation of ideas which represents the artist/author's comprehension of historical fact, present moment, and a comment on the future in the form of physical/visual/tactile/auditory/experiential form.

The ideas I am most drawn to are those that are personal. Tiny but firm statements of notions that represent contemplation and comprehension of the gravity and possible implications of a subject. Combine that with physical (formal) tactile, visual, auditory, experiential qualities and you have something enriching. I want to be challenged. I want art to inform me and yet ask a question of me. I want art to be aware of itself but not overly aware and contrived. I want to be rewarded for my efforts of viewership. Some works do not reward as much as others- this could be based on the artist's intent or their failure. Recently, I became aware of this fact - this need or feeling of entitlement as viewer- to be rewarded for being a good viewer- this could be a bad thing. I will stop on this point for today.

DoA: II

For now, I define art as something that is artificial. If done well, it can stand the test of time to illuminate the past, present, and future. Although it is not necessarily an object, documentation does currently play a key role in posterity and communication.  It exists first in the mind of the artist then in the mind of the viewer. 

What I enjoy about art is that when I experience a piece of art, it stays with me and is later manifested consciously or unconsciously in what I make or in my daily life. Art has become both filter and a large set of ideas that I can apply to my everyday navigation of life.

OPERATION: DEFINITION OF ART

I'm starting a project. Let's call it: OPERATION: DoA.  I don't know where it will go or how it will resolve itself but I will use this blog as the platform/medium.  I am going to document how I define art.  Personally, I am fickle and my connotations of things change by the hour (soon to be by the minute).  So, I am going to periodically record my definition of art.  I hypothesize that it will change, evolve, and not end up where I began.  Also, I hope it also reveals that my mindset is expanding and loosening in my conception of what it art. 

So, I shall start simply:

Art is something that is teased into being.  It is artificial or utilizes artificial means to illuminate "that which" (- insert topic here) strikes the artist's fancy.  It is not limited to an object that one can behold.

That is all for today's DoA. Perhaps one day my DoA will be 10 pages long. Perhaps one day it will be one word.  Ultimately, it has to come from digesting lots of varied sources- first person and secondary.  It is not an excerpt from any source.  It must be in my words. 

CATCH UP

Dear Blog, 

So, alot has transpired since my last visit. I apologize for my lack of dedicated blogging. It's a conundrum: the more I post/blog, the more connected I feel to others; at the same time the more I blog, the less time I've spent in the studio. The more connected I am to the internet, the less time I've spent painting; the less time spent painting the less I have to show of myself, my ideas, my ideals, and everything that's been handed to me. I admit, I'm a bit jealous of those that have integrated this practice into their lives but I probably never will. 

Anyway, quickly, here is everything that's gone down since June:

JULY (in KCMO):

 

Had solo show that opened first Friday in June at the Arts Incubator- thanks to Jen and Chris Bohatyritz!! 

Participated in Kemper Museum's Artist Lecture Series -  gave presentation of work

Work featured in KCPT (local PBS) series "Uniquely Kansas City" 

Birthday: Turned 25! Room 39 with the Brown's; Matt threw a great "surprise" party!

Travel: LA 

visited Kate and Patrick (thanks for letting me stay with you!)

hit up The Pacific Ocean, LACMA, ACME gallery, Happy Lion, hiking in Will Rogers State Park, Pinkberry, etc.

Highlight: Monique van Genderen, Monica Pietro, and last but not least Allison Miller. 

Questionable celeb siting: Dennis Quaid on horseback at Rogers Park 

*shout-out John Staddler! What a pleasant surprise you were! :)

Travel: NYC 

visited Jamie & Steven (thanks guys!) 

Experienced: Central Park to the full extent (gorgeous!!!!), Mr. Softee, MoMA, Chelsea, LES Greene's new locale opening (Congrats Nathan!), bit of shopping, a bit of catching up with the Ringling peeps in Williamsburg, a little bit too much "frat boy special" with the ladies and Mauro, a little bit of sleeping at Marcie's and re-connecting with the kitties.

Celeb siting: John Turturro on the 6

AUGUST: 

Work featured in New American Paintings

Sprinkle in some studio visits before I moved; start work on website

Matt and I receive grant to repair exterior of our historical home in KCMO; work is completed; house looks amazing; neighbors are jealous. Matt's brother moved into the third floor "loft."

SEPTEMBER:

moved to Chicago!!! 

You can find me on the south side (Obama-ville) making my home in Hyde Park. Chicago has been so good to me! Great apartment, even better studio space, beautiful campus, amazing faculty... I've retired the car and taken to biking. This is only the second week of classes and my brain is already full speed ahead. Matt is finally here! He's trying to find his niche among the plethora of med programs. He's just looking forward starting residency next year (and lasting 4-6 years).  

 Whew! I'm parked here for the near future and I promise I'll blog more.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for my work in The Benefactor. It's an art magazine and the issue will come out Dec/Jan 09. 

ttyl