Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Late Night thoughts on Art Presentation
Coherency warning: Rambling
I give a similar talk to a lot of my customers, both art collectors looking for alternative framing options and those artists wanting something other than the standard custom framing for the presentation of their work. The motivation behind the queries is usually financial, not surprising at all given the cost of custom framing. Does that sound odd coming from a framer?
I'm an artist first, so the most favorable presentation of my work (or a fellow artist's work) always takes precedence over the tried and true process and protection of custom framing.
Don't get me wrong, custom picture framing is the right choice for at least 9 out 10 traditional flat art pieces. But when you can make choices, as an artist or patron, from the inception of a work? I'll take that any day. My art is a little... raw, I guess is the best term for this purpose, and I don't want an inorganic, over-finished moulding putting constraints on it. Most of the time.
Yes, I'm a control freak, I like fabricating things and I'm not independently wealthy. This is why I have taken to painting objects that act as a complete support system on their own or I paint a frame onto a panel as a part of the work (see the Marked series) or to match, often repurposing old moulding/frames/random effluvia fabricated to my purpose. Or the art comes from the structure. I picked up some great wooden drawers the other day off the curb from a neighbor who is redoing their kitchen. They will make fantastic box art, with built in handles.
Okay, so the point? Recycle people. Find old frames, vintage beauties or structurally sound diamonds in the rough - slap a coat of paint on them or distress them further and bring them to me. We'll find the right mat and glass to make them worthy of passing down, and original to boot. That's the simplest option. Imagine the possibilities. Not every piece of art needs a frame.
I do my best not to alter original art and archival custom framing is the best protective presentation when your focus is longevity and value retention.
But kid's art, reproducible family photos, mass produced prints, etc? If you're on a budget,
there are great ways to display that are not the norm. I get that some people are the opposite of me - they have more money than time and like the traditional formats. That's great too, you are why I have a job and there is a purist in me that wants anything of historical value wrapped up safe. But if you ask, I'll still give you ideas on the alternatives.
I give a similar talk to a lot of my customers, both art collectors looking for alternative framing options and those artists wanting something other than the standard custom framing for the presentation of their work. The motivation behind the queries is usually financial, not surprising at all given the cost of custom framing. Does that sound odd coming from a framer?
I'm an artist first, so the most favorable presentation of my work (or a fellow artist's work) always takes precedence over the tried and true process and protection of custom framing.
Don't get me wrong, custom picture framing is the right choice for at least 9 out 10 traditional flat art pieces. But when you can make choices, as an artist or patron, from the inception of a work? I'll take that any day. My art is a little... raw, I guess is the best term for this purpose, and I don't want an inorganic, over-finished moulding putting constraints on it. Most of the time.
Yes, I'm a control freak, I like fabricating things and I'm not independently wealthy. This is why I have taken to painting objects that act as a complete support system on their own or I paint a frame onto a panel as a part of the work (see the Marked series) or to match, often repurposing old moulding/frames/random effluvia fabricated to my purpose. Or the art comes from the structure. I picked up some great wooden drawers the other day off the curb from a neighbor who is redoing their kitchen. They will make fantastic box art, with built in handles.
Okay, so the point? Recycle people. Find old frames, vintage beauties or structurally sound diamonds in the rough - slap a coat of paint on them or distress them further and bring them to me. We'll find the right mat and glass to make them worthy of passing down, and original to boot. That's the simplest option. Imagine the possibilities. Not every piece of art needs a frame.
I do my best not to alter original art and archival custom framing is the best protective presentation when your focus is longevity and value retention.
But kid's art, reproducible family photos, mass produced prints, etc? If you're on a budget,
there are great ways to display that are not the norm. I get that some people are the opposite of me - they have more money than time and like the traditional formats. That's great too, you are why I have a job and there is a purist in me that wants anything of historical value wrapped up safe. But if you ask, I'll still give you ideas on the alternatives.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Senior/Honors Show, 2003
University of Iowa Senior/Honors Show
The title of the show was Honey Death, as I was obsessed with baklava at the time and devised an analogy for the confection I made and the art and education I had accrued as a student at the U. A few of the pieces were executed for the show itself. The construction of the space as both presentation and installation was only possible with the help of a fantastic crew of friends and colleagues.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Coming Soon
Paintings with titles like Dropped, Subtext (which takes justifying a warped canvas perhaps too far) and The Marked Series.
Reef - 10"x14", Acrylic on Panel, 2007
This piece went through a lot of stages to become something that is vaguely uncomfortable to look at. I am deeply satisfied.
As of 12/18: Reef has found a new home.
Shades - 18"x12", Acrylic on Panel, 2007
This is gooey. You really have no idea how gooey this is. The photo barely does it justice. My father once described the biblical flood as wet. This is gooey like that. Gooey-looking dried polymer like that, anyway.
Volcano - 30"x30", Acrylic on Fabric, 2007
The experience of creating this piece was a breakthrough. I cried as the layers fell into place. I had dreamt this texture, had known that it was lurking out there, that if I tried enough processes I would find it and finally I have.
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