Instead of making two separate posts I decided to combine them into one big post. Last week, I had an artist's critique with photographer Sama Alshaibi. Sama is an assistant professor of art at the University of Arizona. We discussed my Miracle Toast, Dominica and Aloysius (Giant Rosaries), and Momento Mori and the presentation of these works. In regards to Miracle Toast, I've talked about suspending it and sewing pieces of toast together, as well as presenting it in clear plastic bags and then having the toast cascade out. Then there was a return to the Giant Rosaries, which I'm particularly fond of, there was talk about making them bigger and better and making them float. There are some kinks I need to work out in showing Momento Mori.
The salon went well, five of us presented work, it was interesting. No one really said much of anything during my critique. Probably because I showed a 4 minute video and I talked for about 2 minutes leaving 3 minutes for muted comments. Not much to say there.
I really want to work on a video project tomorrow.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Concerning Miracles (from all over)
This website, Virgin Mary (again), has quite the collection of the Virgin Mary appearing in numerous mundane objects from all over. The blog comments on these apparitions and does so in a rather humorous manner.
N.M.S.
N.M.S.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Concerning: Miracles (at Lawrence University)
On Monday I presented 50 pieces of toast, arranged in rows 5 x 10, each piece of toast was branded with the visage of the Holy Virgin. As I consider the piece's meaning. I find it becomes a mocking and serious comment on the need for salvation, the need to believe in a higher power, man's unresolved issues and fear of the unknown, and life after life. I've been reluctant to work with images of the Holy Mother because I was afraid of the message I might be sending, in other words, I did not want a piece of work that was just about shocking and offending people. Religious iconography has been a driving force of art since 28,000 BCE, from prehistoric to contemporary times, it is not an uncommon theme, especially that of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary, like her son, is a symbol of salvation. I argue, that one can relate more to the Virgin Mary because like you and I, she was an individual, she is often portrayed with open arms, welcoming, beckoning, all sinners into a "judgement free zone", where it is easy to be absolved of sin, because if anyone is going to forgive you, no matter what you've done, it's your mother.
The piece I created, entititled, We Believe in Miracles, was brought about by a number of influences including: the print making process, Catholicism, toast, eBay, salvation, transubstantiation, consumerism, breakfast, and miracles.
For years people, including: prophets, saints, children, men, women, and mental patients, have at some point in their lives, believe that they have seen or, were visited by, a visage, or apparition of, specifically in this case, the Holy Virgin. St. Bernadette claimed to have seen 18 apparitions of the Holy Mother at Lourdes, France. At Fatima, in Portugal, the Virgin Mary appeared to three children, giving unto to them the what we know today as The Three Secrets of Fatima.
However, we live in a time where "seeing is believing." Concrete images hold the attention of today's audiences far longer than apparitions which only a select few can see. No one is more special than the next person.
Today, the Virgin Mary has been known to grace a number of mundane objects with her 2-Dimensional presence. She has been seen in: toast, ultrasounds, underpasses, along the sides buildings, turtles, and watermelon. Some may argue turtles and watermelons are anything but mundane, I'm inclined to agree, at certain times of the year, Autumn not being one of them.
The Virgin Mary gracing the underbelly of a turtle and a cross-section of watermelon
Above, the Virgin Mary appears on the wall of an underpass in Chicago on Fullerton Ave. in the guise of a salt stain, under the Kennedy Expressway (I-90, for those not familiar with Chicago's silly names for interstates).
Way back in 2005, in Fort Wayne Indiana, the Virgin Mary appeared in a woman's ultrasound kissing her baby.
Here, the Virgin Mary appears on the side of a building, in Kirkwood, MO, due to a pipe leakage.
Who could forget, the Virgin's appearance in grilled cheese, which sold for 28,000 dollars on eBay. Diana Duyser, allegedly almost had a heart attack when she saw Mary staring back at her. People, take this piece of toast very seriously, and someday in the future may end up in the Vatican Vaults somewhere as a holy artifact, I'll continue living for that day.
On a side note, Bernadette always has been my favorite female saint, ever since I went to catholic school and they made us watch a film on the life and times of Saint Bernadette.
The piece I created, entititled, We Believe in Miracles, was brought about by a number of influences including: the print making process, Catholicism, toast, eBay, salvation, transubstantiation, consumerism, breakfast, and miracles.
For years people, including: prophets, saints, children, men, women, and mental patients, have at some point in their lives, believe that they have seen or, were visited by, a visage, or apparition of, specifically in this case, the Holy Virgin. St. Bernadette claimed to have seen 18 apparitions of the Holy Mother at Lourdes, France. At Fatima, in Portugal, the Virgin Mary appeared to three children, giving unto to them the what we know today as The Three Secrets of Fatima.
However, we live in a time where "seeing is believing." Concrete images hold the attention of today's audiences far longer than apparitions which only a select few can see. No one is more special than the next person.
Today, the Virgin Mary has been known to grace a number of mundane objects with her 2-Dimensional presence. She has been seen in: toast, ultrasounds, underpasses, along the sides buildings, turtles, and watermelon. Some may argue turtles and watermelons are anything but mundane, I'm inclined to agree, at certain times of the year, Autumn not being one of them.
The Virgin Mary gracing the underbelly of a turtle and a cross-section of watermelon
Above, the Virgin Mary appears on the wall of an underpass in Chicago on Fullerton Ave. in the guise of a salt stain, under the Kennedy Expressway (I-90, for those not familiar with Chicago's silly names for interstates).
Way back in 2005, in Fort Wayne Indiana, the Virgin Mary appeared in a woman's ultrasound kissing her baby.
Here, the Virgin Mary appears on the side of a building, in Kirkwood, MO, due to a pipe leakage.
Who could forget, the Virgin's appearance in grilled cheese, which sold for 28,000 dollars on eBay. Diana Duyser, allegedly almost had a heart attack when she saw Mary staring back at her. People, take this piece of toast very seriously, and someday in the future may end up in the Vatican Vaults somewhere as a holy artifact, I'll continue living for that day.
On a side note, Bernadette always has been my favorite female saint, ever since I went to catholic school and they made us watch a film on the life and times of Saint Bernadette.
Third Meeting Post
I have finished Momento Mori and I also presented something that I really wanted to work on and create. It is a two dimensional piece, consisting of 50 pieces of toast with The Virgin Mary burnt into each piece of toast and arranged 5 x 10 on top of a piece of wood board. We had a very good discussion about the piece and all the connotations it brings along with it. I will post a more in depth post about the piece, once I finally get photographs taken of the work I've done this term. Expect a bunch of posts this week.
For next week I hope to have another bear done
A short film made
Expanding the toast project with three new works having
I'm feeling very ambitious with great energy
For next week I hope to have another bear done
A short film made
Expanding the toast project with three new works having
I'm feeling very ambitious with great energy
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Fame
To be an undergraduate student in Studio Art is scary, my Prof. Rob Neilson offers a class at Lawrence known as Senior Art Seminar, required now for all Art Majors, the class teaches you how to put together a C.V., take digital photographs of your work, write an artist statement, and promotes an environment to get Studio Art majors talking about life in the art world after graduation. It includes a variety of topics from Graduate School, Beauty in Art, Post-Modernism and Post-Post-Modernism (which still hurts my head). The one that resonated with me the most was our topic of Fame, it seemed like only three of us in the class wanted to famous for art. Silly me, I thought that's what everyone wanted.
Well here are some ruminations of the idea of fame and art.
Most people's idea of fame can be mistaken for infamy. To be famous, you have to bust your ass and make decisions that would launch your career into a lasting one. Notariety for the person you are and the work you do are completely different. Being famous is not easily achievable, as the media would have you believe. Talent, social understanding, and credibility are all necessary and are to be developed. Actions you take will speak for you. To pursue fame haphazardly without considering your actions makes you replaceable and a recycled idea. You are not entitled to anything as an undergraduate so you have to take advantage of what is available to you.
Well here are some ruminations of the idea of fame and art.
Most people's idea of fame can be mistaken for infamy. To be famous, you have to bust your ass and make decisions that would launch your career into a lasting one. Notariety for the person you are and the work you do are completely different. Being famous is not easily achievable, as the media would have you believe. Talent, social understanding, and credibility are all necessary and are to be developed. Actions you take will speak for you. To pursue fame haphazardly without considering your actions makes you replaceable and a recycled idea. You are not entitled to anything as an undergraduate so you have to take advantage of what is available to you.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Teddy Bears in Art and Society today
A favorite teddy makes his return to the book world. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood: In Which Winnie-the-Pooh Enjoys Further Adventures with Christopher Robin and His Friends, this is going to be the first Winnie-the-Pooh book published in 80 years, and, yes, it will be an "authorized sequel". The book is written by David Bendictus and illustrated by Mark Burgess.
The book was released this past Monday, October 5th, and can be purchased at Amazon.
via World of Wonder
I find this interesting, just because I tend to ruminate on "the end of childhood," which is like a big dark arch way we pass under at some point in our youth. Dark, because it sneaks up on us, we don't really know it has happened until something painfully reminds us that it has. Exhibit A: Winnie the Pooh. Nearly everyone, at some point in their childhood, has had, if you will, a teddy-bear, I had one too. The one I clearly remember is the teddy bear I got from Children's Memorial hospital, which, I won in a game of all hospital Bingo, aside from triumphing over death on the operating table, this was my real victory. My teddy bear was never my favorite stuffed animal, I was particularly fond of my pink plesiosaur, the most bizarre stuffed animal for a child you could think of, but I loved that thing, but not enough to keep it forever. I couldn't tell you where all my stuffed animals went to, it seems my pension for keeping things didn't extend to belongings of the stuffed variety.
But I can tell you where the stuffed animals of my friends are. They are snuggled in the beds of their owners, in their college dorms, perhaps on their book shelves, in the chair, but mostly in their beds. Some people still need their teddys, I do not say this disparagingly but mostly as an observation. The teddy bears I've been collecting for my project have all come from the thrift store. These teddy bears, unlike their college counterparts, still managed to end up in the a college, albeit the sculpture studio; from loving home to thrift store, unknowingly awaiting their fate, ended up in the possession of studio art major, their outlook: grim. However, I like to believe, make-believe even, that these teddy bears [which I collect] serve a higher purpose, greater than comfort and the attachment to childhood. These bears have been consciously thrown away, and with them, the symbolism that is childhood. It is also important to note that the teddy bear is something that is entirely and completely manufactured and man made, man-made affection and a man-made symbol of childhood which we make alive, and give life to through imagination as we go on attributing human emotions to these inanimate objects.
However, it is not as if the teddy bear is a common stranger to the Art World or the Global Economy. Yes, even teddy bears are apart of the great circle of life. However, it has never been entirely what the teddy bear symbolizes, though that is important, what most emphasis has been placed on is what the teddy bear is made from. The material is what makes the teddy bear it seems, the material which makes its appearance, is the teddy bear's attraction.
Exhibit B: The latest in kid's toys: Placenta Teddy
This teddy bear was made by designer Alex Green, a "toy design" displayed at the 2009 Doing it for the Kids exhibition. The Concept: sustainable toys. The exhibition's goal was to inspire designers, educators and parents to be critical of toys that shape a child’s values and the impact toy makers have on the environment. Nothing else screams "Sustainable!" other than the sac that encompassed you for nine months of your tiny life, while being jumbled around, though snug, in your mommy's tummy. If this were in a gallery we might think its brilliant, what a perfect commentary on the connection between child and mother embodied in the ultimate symbol that is childhood. However, marketed as an object on behalf of the Green Bandwagon (to which, the university I attend is no stranger), I myself would typically draw the line. Now mother's have another alternative in regards to handling the placenta after birth, instead of throwing it out, or donating to research, morally opposed mothers can turn it into a gift for their children, quaint? I won't say I told you so on this one, but, Build-A-Bear should start taking notes on the competition.
Exhibit C: Dave Cole Knit Lead Teddy
Sculptor, Dave Cole uses a variety of industrial materials in his work, his primary use of them is to have them knitted into everyday object, flags, teddy bears etc. His knit lead teddy bear, once again takes the object and changes the material of which it is typically made out of, fuzzy stuffing and soft furry skin. It doesn't stand very high, just under 7 inches, its size isn't very important but the material is what makes it, the fact that its is supposed to be this soft thing and is now a lump of industrial now knitted lead, makes it this industrial piece of handwork underlined with domestic handiwork and lifestyles, it the teddy bear can hardly hold up the idea of childhood it is crushed by its own hefty weight of the space it embodies. Another dimension to the piece is this idea of lead and toys created with lead that might poison children. no one likes to think that the toys that they give their children could also potentially harm them. So making something so common out of such a dangerous metal also says caution. It contrasts quite nicely to Placenta teddy, the more natural and just as equally disturbing teddy bear.
More daunting than the two is Dave Cole's Fiberglass Teddy Bear
This teddy like, lead teddy, is about 14 feet tall, twice the size of a human, and is made from fiberglass, another uncomfortable material. Changing the scale of the teddy bear to something so large, seems so fanciful and intriguing, but nevertheless is still made cautionary by the material.
Faceless-ness is a characteristic that all three bears mentioned have in common. Removing the face of the teddy bear may not make the shape of the object any less of teddy bear, but it remove the ability to give life to the bear, because of its monstrous appearence, all of these removed the element of imagination, which one could argue removes that element from the childhood aspect. If these bears came to life, you or child would be locking their bedroom door.
Exhibit D: Stephanie Metz Wool Teddy Skulls
Sculptor, Stephanie Metz uses wool as her material of choice to create soft felt wool skeletal studies of teddy bears. Her work pulls back the soft integument of the teddy bear and discards the soft fluffy tissue to reveal an interesting morphology on the forms and structure of teddy bear skulls. It is nothing less than a intereting faux-anatomy study. As someone who has memorized all the parts of the human skull, and other vertebrae, I feel a deep connection with this work, entitled to them, and a little resentment, "why didn't I think of that!". The image is once again like placenta teddy, is emotionally loaded. It takes a keystone childhood toy and deconstructs the image which lets us think about the object in a new light. I find that the artist and myself both agree that the teddy bear is an object given life by our imaginations!
- N.M.S.
The book was released this past Monday, October 5th, and can be purchased at Amazon.
via World of Wonder
I find this interesting, just because I tend to ruminate on "the end of childhood," which is like a big dark arch way we pass under at some point in our youth. Dark, because it sneaks up on us, we don't really know it has happened until something painfully reminds us that it has. Exhibit A: Winnie the Pooh. Nearly everyone, at some point in their childhood, has had, if you will, a teddy-bear, I had one too. The one I clearly remember is the teddy bear I got from Children's Memorial hospital, which, I won in a game of all hospital Bingo, aside from triumphing over death on the operating table, this was my real victory. My teddy bear was never my favorite stuffed animal, I was particularly fond of my pink plesiosaur, the most bizarre stuffed animal for a child you could think of, but I loved that thing, but not enough to keep it forever. I couldn't tell you where all my stuffed animals went to, it seems my pension for keeping things didn't extend to belongings of the stuffed variety.
But I can tell you where the stuffed animals of my friends are. They are snuggled in the beds of their owners, in their college dorms, perhaps on their book shelves, in the chair, but mostly in their beds. Some people still need their teddys, I do not say this disparagingly but mostly as an observation. The teddy bears I've been collecting for my project have all come from the thrift store. These teddy bears, unlike their college counterparts, still managed to end up in the a college, albeit the sculpture studio; from loving home to thrift store, unknowingly awaiting their fate, ended up in the possession of studio art major, their outlook: grim. However, I like to believe, make-believe even, that these teddy bears [which I collect] serve a higher purpose, greater than comfort and the attachment to childhood. These bears have been consciously thrown away, and with them, the symbolism that is childhood. It is also important to note that the teddy bear is something that is entirely and completely manufactured and man made, man-made affection and a man-made symbol of childhood which we make alive, and give life to through imagination as we go on attributing human emotions to these inanimate objects.
However, it is not as if the teddy bear is a common stranger to the Art World or the Global Economy. Yes, even teddy bears are apart of the great circle of life. However, it has never been entirely what the teddy bear symbolizes, though that is important, what most emphasis has been placed on is what the teddy bear is made from. The material is what makes the teddy bear it seems, the material which makes its appearance, is the teddy bear's attraction.
Exhibit B: The latest in kid's toys: Placenta Teddy
This teddy bear was made by designer Alex Green, a "toy design" displayed at the 2009 Doing it for the Kids exhibition. The Concept: sustainable toys. The exhibition's goal was to inspire designers, educators and parents to be critical of toys that shape a child’s values and the impact toy makers have on the environment. Nothing else screams "Sustainable!" other than the sac that encompassed you for nine months of your tiny life, while being jumbled around, though snug, in your mommy's tummy. If this were in a gallery we might think its brilliant, what a perfect commentary on the connection between child and mother embodied in the ultimate symbol that is childhood. However, marketed as an object on behalf of the Green Bandwagon (to which, the university I attend is no stranger), I myself would typically draw the line. Now mother's have another alternative in regards to handling the placenta after birth, instead of throwing it out, or donating to research, morally opposed mothers can turn it into a gift for their children, quaint? I won't say I told you so on this one, but, Build-A-Bear should start taking notes on the competition.
Exhibit C: Dave Cole Knit Lead Teddy
Sculptor, Dave Cole uses a variety of industrial materials in his work, his primary use of them is to have them knitted into everyday object, flags, teddy bears etc. His knit lead teddy bear, once again takes the object and changes the material of which it is typically made out of, fuzzy stuffing and soft furry skin. It doesn't stand very high, just under 7 inches, its size isn't very important but the material is what makes it, the fact that its is supposed to be this soft thing and is now a lump of industrial now knitted lead, makes it this industrial piece of handwork underlined with domestic handiwork and lifestyles, it the teddy bear can hardly hold up the idea of childhood it is crushed by its own hefty weight of the space it embodies. Another dimension to the piece is this idea of lead and toys created with lead that might poison children. no one likes to think that the toys that they give their children could also potentially harm them. So making something so common out of such a dangerous metal also says caution. It contrasts quite nicely to Placenta teddy, the more natural and just as equally disturbing teddy bear.
More daunting than the two is Dave Cole's Fiberglass Teddy Bear
This teddy like, lead teddy, is about 14 feet tall, twice the size of a human, and is made from fiberglass, another uncomfortable material. Changing the scale of the teddy bear to something so large, seems so fanciful and intriguing, but nevertheless is still made cautionary by the material.
Faceless-ness is a characteristic that all three bears mentioned have in common. Removing the face of the teddy bear may not make the shape of the object any less of teddy bear, but it remove the ability to give life to the bear, because of its monstrous appearence, all of these removed the element of imagination, which one could argue removes that element from the childhood aspect. If these bears came to life, you or child would be locking their bedroom door.
Exhibit D: Stephanie Metz Wool Teddy Skulls
Sculptor, Stephanie Metz uses wool as her material of choice to create soft felt wool skeletal studies of teddy bears. Her work pulls back the soft integument of the teddy bear and discards the soft fluffy tissue to reveal an interesting morphology on the forms and structure of teddy bear skulls. It is nothing less than a intereting faux-anatomy study. As someone who has memorized all the parts of the human skull, and other vertebrae, I feel a deep connection with this work, entitled to them, and a little resentment, "why didn't I think of that!". The image is once again like placenta teddy, is emotionally loaded. It takes a keystone childhood toy and deconstructs the image which lets us think about the object in a new light. I find that the artist and myself both agree that the teddy bear is an object given life by our imaginations!
- N.M.S.
Pre: Third Meeting post
My 3rd meeting in my independent study is this monday. I have belted out some story boards for potential short films this weekend during my Northern Lakes Trips. We returned last night Tuesday, which is basically Wednesday morning. I got to sample one of the worlds most famous lakes, Lake Mary, in Northern Wisconsin. I felt something much bigger than myself taking place at that lake. But I digress... into Teddy Bears.
I went thrifting today, and TV pickings are very slim, and its hurting me bad. I really need to get some TVs stat.
I find myself getting disoriented, and depressed that I can't find T.V.s I've also been looking into art that consists of Teddy Bears which I will be my next post and how Biology and Art collide.
-N.M.S.
I went thrifting today, and TV pickings are very slim, and its hurting me bad. I really need to get some TVs stat.
I find myself getting disoriented, and depressed that I can't find T.V.s I've also been looking into art that consists of Teddy Bears which I will be my next post and how Biology and Art collide.
-N.M.S.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Second Meeting
Our second meeting went swimmingly, but with things beginning to snow-ball I worry about myself a bit. Setting these goals is great! The Jodowrowsky film Holy Mountain came yesterday, Monday, I will watch it soon.
these were my goals for Monday
1. make case for t.v.
I was able to find the material to make a case
2. cover box in formica
Done, but parts looks raw, so I'm going to have to re-do it
3. add door
Got the hinges on but didn't know what do until I got a knob
4. essentially finish Memento Mori (the name of the sculpture!)
I suck at life and this didn't happen
5. meet with Prof. Lindemann and Shimon on Wednesday
met with Johnny, went well
6. have a revised bibliography with added artists
Added: Viola and Rath
7. roughly hammer out conceptual ideas for Seven Deadly Teddy's
Purchased Wrath Teddy
8. create a maquette for Teddy T.V. and brain storm a digital short prehaps
Removed head from teddy bear, would have had a T.V. if some guy didn't get to it before I did at the store.
9. a blog post with a link to my digital shorts on youtube, and an entry explaining them
did that
I feel like a major failure, it seems as though I've accomplished nothing. I did go thrifting and found two more bears. Which was great, but no T.V.s it was a bad weekend for television thrifting. Except Last week I DID find a second personal television which is great because its just like the television from Momento Mori with a few exceptions. Otherwise the project is going swimmingly. I hope to have more accomplished by next Monday.
these were my goals for Monday
1. make case for t.v.
I was able to find the material to make a case
2. cover box in formica
Done, but parts looks raw, so I'm going to have to re-do it
3. add door
Got the hinges on but didn't know what do until I got a knob
4. essentially finish Memento Mori (the name of the sculpture!)
I suck at life and this didn't happen
5. meet with Prof. Lindemann and Shimon on Wednesday
met with Johnny, went well
6. have a revised bibliography with added artists
Added: Viola and Rath
7. roughly hammer out conceptual ideas for Seven Deadly Teddy's
Purchased Wrath Teddy
8. create a maquette for Teddy T.V. and brain storm a digital short prehaps
Removed head from teddy bear, would have had a T.V. if some guy didn't get to it before I did at the store.
9. a blog post with a link to my digital shorts on youtube, and an entry explaining them
did that
I feel like a major failure, it seems as though I've accomplished nothing. I did go thrifting and found two more bears. Which was great, but no T.V.s it was a bad weekend for television thrifting. Except Last week I DID find a second personal television which is great because its just like the television from Momento Mori with a few exceptions. Otherwise the project is going swimmingly. I hope to have more accomplished by next Monday.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thrifting
Yesterday I went to some Thrift shops, in hopes of finding televisions and teddy bears. I found a second small black and white personal television with AV input. I also went to Pawn America, a new pawn shop that opened up, to look at televisions. The TV's there are rather pricey for being pawned and used, I can get one at St. Vincent for HALF the price. However, a bunch of them were decent size, but the AV input was in the front of the television and I need AV input to be in the back otherwise the final product does not look polished enough for me to actually like it.
I'm going thrifting again later today. Hoping for some sweet finds.
-N.M.S.
I will take pictures of and at these thrift stores sometime.
I'm going thrifting again later today. Hoping for some sweet finds.
-N.M.S.
I will take pictures of and at these thrift stores sometime.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Digital Shorts
Last year, I took classes with professors Lindemann and Shimon, Associate Professors of Art at Lawrence University, in digital processes. These classes focused on an array of themes, old and recent, in New Media. It was in these classes that I discovered Avant-Garde film makers and was introduced to Fluxus artists and where I researched more recent new media artists like Brian Knep.
Over the course of the year, it was required of us to upload videos and picture to YouTube, and other websites on the internet. The basic idea was to use the internet as a means of getting our work out there. It really supported the idea that anyone can upload their work to the internet a begin cultivating followers, prehaps with the hopes of obtaining internet fame.
I've posted a link below to some of my digital shorts that I created. Most of the videos on there are split into two parts, or two stories, both parts complement one another while still being able to stand alone, I was influenced by non-linear narrative, drawing inspiration from writers such as Borges and Calvino.
Nick Michael Stahl on YouTube
I plan on continuing with making digital shorts this year. In preparation for my senior exhibition and Mudd Gallery Show.
-N.M.S.
Over the course of the year, it was required of us to upload videos and picture to YouTube, and other websites on the internet. The basic idea was to use the internet as a means of getting our work out there. It really supported the idea that anyone can upload their work to the internet a begin cultivating followers, prehaps with the hopes of obtaining internet fame.
I've posted a link below to some of my digital shorts that I created. Most of the videos on there are split into two parts, or two stories, both parts complement one another while still being able to stand alone, I was influenced by non-linear narrative, drawing inspiration from writers such as Borges and Calvino.
Nick Michael Stahl on YouTube
I plan on continuing with making digital shorts this year. In preparation for my senior exhibition and Mudd Gallery Show.
-N.M.S.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
First Meeting: Yesterday
Yesterday marked the first meeting of my independent study in Advanced Sculpture and New Media Installation. I screened my second version of Memento Mori, which startled both my Professor and my friend Jen. It went well, but needs more work. I really wanted to hit the ground running and hit a wall with my project and did just that. I do not have any pictures of my work yet, but I plan on shooting a couple photos this upcoming Friday or Thursday. We discussed a lot yesterday, the conversation spiraled slowly into themes of death, duality, self-portraiture, and how art maybe directly influenced by personal things from the artists past even thought that may not have been what the artists was getting at the information about the past carries with it significance that the audience may not notice.
I'd like to mention that I'm in this independent study with another student at Lawrence, Jen Gabriele, although we are working on separate things we still meet together to discuss our work, critique one another, and provide staggering amounts of moral support. That last part is a bit dramatic, we typically carry our selves well, "typically."
I made a mental list of things I would like to have done by next Monday. Setting goals for yourself can be daunting at times.
1. make case for t.v.
2. cover box in formica
3. add door
4. essentially finish Memento Mori (the name of the sculpture!)
5. meet with Prof. Lindemann and Shimon on Wednesday
6. have a revised bibliography with added artists
7. roughly hammer out conceptual ideas for Seven Deadly Teddy's
8. create a maquette for Teddy T.V. and brain storm a digital short prehaps
9. a blog post with a link to my digital shorts on youtube, and an entry explaining them
-N.M.S.
I'd like to mention that I'm in this independent study with another student at Lawrence, Jen Gabriele, although we are working on separate things we still meet together to discuss our work, critique one another, and provide staggering amounts of moral support. That last part is a bit dramatic, we typically carry our selves well, "typically."
I made a mental list of things I would like to have done by next Monday. Setting goals for yourself can be daunting at times.
1. make case for t.v.
2. cover box in formica
3. add door
4. essentially finish Memento Mori (the name of the sculpture!)
5. meet with Prof. Lindemann and Shimon on Wednesday
6. have a revised bibliography with added artists
7. roughly hammer out conceptual ideas for Seven Deadly Teddy's
8. create a maquette for Teddy T.V. and brain storm a digital short prehaps
9. a blog post with a link to my digital shorts on youtube, and an entry explaining them
-N.M.S.
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Brief Introduction
My name is Nick Stahl, I'm an undergraduate student at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI (just south of Green Bay), double majoring in Studio Art, emphasis sculpture and digital processes, and Biology concentration neuroscience. Contrary to popular belief it is possible to do both, but, it does involve a bit of schedule finagling. So if you're reading, this and people have told you it isn't possible, they are liars.
I've started this blog to share with the world, lawrence campus, faculty, friends and some family an accummulation of my work towards my senior show, Mudd gallery show, and possible honors project for the 2009-2010 academic year. And, the occasional post about whatever it is that I find fascinating at the moment.
I'm currently in an Advanced Scuplture and New Media Installation independent study with my professor Rob Neilson, Associate Professor of Art at Lawrence University.
My interests at the moment, look back toward Fluxus, Avant Garde film, and contempoary artists who use thirft stores as a means of inspiration for their work. I myself have made several digital shorts, and sculptures but towards the end of the 2008-2009 academic year began fusing both sculpture and new media together. Drawing inspiration from artists including: Nam June Paik, Anger, and Jaar.
I'll be updating this blog with weekly and prehaps daily posts, in regards to the ruminations and processes of my work.
-N.M.S.
I've started this blog to share with the world, lawrence campus, faculty, friends and some family an accummulation of my work towards my senior show, Mudd gallery show, and possible honors project for the 2009-2010 academic year. And, the occasional post about whatever it is that I find fascinating at the moment.
I'm currently in an Advanced Scuplture and New Media Installation independent study with my professor Rob Neilson, Associate Professor of Art at Lawrence University.
My interests at the moment, look back toward Fluxus, Avant Garde film, and contempoary artists who use thirft stores as a means of inspiration for their work. I myself have made several digital shorts, and sculptures but towards the end of the 2008-2009 academic year began fusing both sculpture and new media together. Drawing inspiration from artists including: Nam June Paik, Anger, and Jaar.
I'll be updating this blog with weekly and prehaps daily posts, in regards to the ruminations and processes of my work.
-N.M.S.
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