so happy

I'm so happy with this beautiful project... It's the I/Eye Rebus mosaic at Hope Valley Elementary.  5 classes of Kindergarteners made the letter I/i border sections based on a graphed paper grid design.  5 classes of 2nd graders worked in small groups to create the eyeball designs (some drawn by them as well) with tumbled stained glass pieces.  We talked about shape, color, design, pattern, picture, Rebus puzzles (pictures that can substitute for words or letters), counting, mosaic, diversity, and collaboration.  Each panel is 3x5'.

mad scientist/artist tip #23

Don't get spray foam in your hair while you're making this:

NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT....

prisms

Working on something new... anyone got old mirrors hanging around they don't need/want?  12" or bigger, preferably not beveled on the edge.....

the 'eyes' of March

I know it's really the 'ides' of March... but this month begins with a great residency for Kindergarten and 2nd grades at a local Elementary School.  They wanted a literacy objective tandem with the art project.  I may have mentioned rebus puzzles before... it's old school reading puzzle fun in which pictures are substituted for letters or words.  "Highlights" magazine used to have them all the time.  So, I've got K classes reading 7x7 unit graphs (check for math objectives) to create the capital I and lowercase i patterns onto the tile grids, they're creating the border pieces.  The letters are done in 5 shades of skin tone browns, light to dark, background dark blues.  2nd graders have drawn eyeball patterns using shapes, not lines, on an 8" square and are using tumbled stained glass pieces to fill in the pattern, starting with the pupil, lids, iris, corneas, and surrounding flesh (check plus for science objective).  Overall  the work will make 2 panels, 3x5' each (30 sf total) of I/eye rebus mosaic.  Double check plus for collaborative work, celebrating individuality and community! 

Two sessions down, three to go...

what makes art contemporary?

 One definition of contemporary art is that it is art created by an artist that is living, now, in this time.  I suppose that makes all art 'contemporary' during the time in which is it or was created.  But then how do you describe it after it's not timely or fresh or new?

'Modern' would be another word that seems wrapped up with those same ideas, but again, what are the time constraints for something to be modern?  And then what does it become?


The DAG/Student U mentor pairs took a field trip yesterday to the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh (CAM).  I had been once before, but one of the galleries was essentially closed, hanging a new exhibit, and the other had some funky, found object, interactive sculptures with music and light.  I wasn't overly impressed with that exhibit, my friends at the www.scrapexchange.org  could have come up with more interesting pieces (I am biased).

The exhibits we saw yesterday were interesting.  The one in the photos above, in the lower gallery, were mainly black and white drawings on paper, very reminiscent of MC Escher with optical tricks and cartoonish figures.  Some were extremely intricate, others bolder in their presentation.  The artist had also created these linear patterns on the floor with tape which appealed to me the most, and as you walked into the gallery space, YOU were immediately part of the canvas.  He was there at the time, giving a gallery talk, and I asked him about the floor; whether he figured out the math ahead or what was his planning process.  He bravely admitted that he just started in one spot and kept going.  He said there were some mistakes, and that he had strategically placed a few smallish sculptures over the really bad spots.  I immediately warmed to that information, and the courage it took to admit it to the group who were listening.  I think contemporary art has to be bold and brash, it takes a lot of gumption to decide to cover a museum floor in tape (with mistakes) and force the viewers of your wall pieces to be part of a canvas.

 The artist in the upper gallery had made some scientific machines, one captured a single drop of water and kept it suspended on a gentle breeze, he also had a tornado machine that could whip around some paint dots, and make a painting.  Then again, he stacked up some mdf boards using prime number configurations and called it a bench.  And boiled up Evian water and put the sediment in a glass etched with the mountain range from which it came.....

I think most contemporary art must ask the viewer in some way whether they think what is being presented is art (or not).  I have a pretty broad acceptance, how about you?

layers exhibit additional hours

 

Several of you wonderful friends have asked about additional viewing dates/times for my mosaic exhibit "layers" over at NC School of Science and Math ETC Auditorium Lobby.  It is a student building on campus, so not always open to the public.  Here are some upcoming open dates/times...

Feb 23,24 8am-3pm

Mar 2, 9,16 8am-3pm

April 27  8am-3pm

May 10, 11  6-9pm

May 12 1-5pm

sweet arts

If you're looking for a fun and special event for your Valentine (or be your own Valentine), please consider the Durham Art Guild's 19 Annual Sweet Arts Auction and Fundraiser event, this Friday, Feb 15, 7-10pm at Golden Belt.  Proceeds support our local artist events and programs, including a new Mentor Partnership program with Student U.  Five mentor/student partners are spending two hours per week from Jan-May working together, learning together, and creating and practicing different art skills.  In just a few weeks, my student has taken dozens of photographs, edited them with computer software, measured and cut glass, applied photo transfers, learned how to safely use two glass and cutting tools, trying different design ideas and layouts, and is now working on her first mosaic panel.

 Meanwhile, I am enjoying getting to know this young lady, and brewing up some ideas of my own.  Join us Friday evening, celebrate Valentine's day, and support our local arts!