Week 5: Tues. Feb. 9
Video Art:
Tree-like.
The gesture was inspired by a few artists, like the Machine House: art vocation project and Benny Nemerofsky Ramsey. I wanted to found a tree that stood out from a walk within a winter forest, joining it in a way that I felt was not physical or destructive. It is an event that was created from my attraction to it. I stood there. Waiting for consent of the tree, becoming gradually aware of the surroundings.
I choose this tree specifically because of it’s odd truck and location -forest opening that seemed to be around it.
Hi Justin!
Week 1:
Katchadourian notes complete and lots of reflection and engagement, 3 Book stack images complete and more – I find them a bit puzzling (you seem to use a very personal, idiosyncratic symbology) but I see lots of thinking and processing, and a genuine investment in the materials and compositions.
Week 2:
Notes on two text works complete and epic! Sometimes you are joking I think? Is it all absurd? But shows general level of understanding of critical ideas at play.
Week 3:
Text banner exercise and description – so much process and thinking, and close consideration of the article. Great choice of found words – but your materials/colours/and context are puzzling – again – sort of a very personal symbology that isn’t available to viewers. Oh man, imagine the possibilities with “looping”! You could hang it in a circle, where it loops, or other choices that really relate to the meaning of the words. Think more about how material, form, and context all expand meaning for a wider audience – and not just a personal story.
Week 4:
Nature video- I’m wondering if this is also a bit irreverent? Or earnest? Either way is fine – but I’d love to feel one or the other more strongly, as your explicit intention. I laughed watching it – and wondered if you might stand there and be a tree as long as you can? Or showing somehow the absurdity, futility, and gap between the human and the arboreal – in some new and affecting way…and why a cellphone video in the vertical frame? No tripod/fixing of camera? Think about all these choices, especially in a subtle work like this – they all matter.
Notes – did you really dig into these pieces? A bit thin!
I know the works we look at together are surprising, and sometimes even absurd. But trust these references and give them serious attention. Art is a conversation, and you have to listen to other practitioners from the past, and now, in order to participate.
In your own work, think about experimentation (not knowing what will happen) and risk – push yourself but while being safe to make something with more complexity and seriousness.
Thank you for your attendance and engagement in class discussions and activities. We’d like to see and hear more from you!
If you would like to talk with me about your work in progress, readings, exercises, one-on-one comments on your work, and grades – send me an email in the morning to book a 15 minute appointment during the optional in person hours: Thursdays 2:30 – 4:30
And you can show up to a zoom meeting with Nathan anytime during these hours to ask your questions, and get tech support for using software and finishing your projects:
Mondays and Thursdays 1-4pm
Hi Justin,
Thanks so much for the dedicated work looking and reflecting on the readings and lecture materials, and the Yes No video worked out so well, I think you should all show it next year for Zavitz or in JAS. Thanks for your participation in class too – and contributions to all the exercises, baking, discussions etc. it’s wonderful to have you in the class and I hope we’ll see you again in Experimental 3!
Diane