Artist Research: Kate Bingaman-Burt

I was looking through some of my notebooks and came across my notes from Penelope Umbrico's visiting artist lecture at VCU. She had mentioned that she was represented by Jen Beckman, whose site 20x200.com hosts an array of work from different artists for sale. I went to research the site and began to review all the presented work. I was immediately drawn to Kate Bingaman-Burt. This would be seemingly obvious since her work is based on consumerism. Burt sketches simplistic yet detailed (view her work and you'll understand what I mean) of her daily purchases. This can all be seen on her blog, creatively titled, Obsessive Consumption:What Did you buy today?. Through her careful documentation, we are exposed to what seems like a quite normal purchasing habits. Movie tickets, small snacks, stamps, beer are just the beginning of her drawing subjects. Her work really puts into perspective how much we really do spend.

I found her work interesting because for awhile I thought about saving all my receipts and seeing how I could include them in my work. However, I was unable to figure out how to do it an aesthetically pleasing matter. Burt succeeds in creating whimsical images paired with short captions. From this, we are provided with even more information. In a sketch done on November 5th 2009, Burt sketches out three tall pint glasses of beer, each captioned with the names of her friends, Zach and Frank and herself. This inclusion of material broadens our vision of the artist. She has already exposed herself through the presentation and record of her newly obtain personal belongings and experiences. I found her work similar to a visual diary.

By reviewing her blog, I realized I had actually seen her work at a show in 1708 gallery in Richmond only a few months ago. She had great images on her blog of First Friday which totally bums me out because I was there. After doing these weekly blogs I always have the desire to meet the artist personally, or hear them speak in a lecture. Who knows? I could have walken right by her.

Kate Bingaman-Burt now works as an assistant professor at Portland State University. She has this pretty crazy online introduction to herself online. This, you gotta see. Once you see this page, you'll understand why this blog entry has included so many links.

Research Blog: Early Post for Thursday 11/26

I will not have access to internet for awhile due to the holidays and my stay with my grandparents. Ahh, technology... it has not been received by everyone yet.

My process has been cut short by the company, Blue Sun Prints. After ordering sun sensitized fabric from this company awhile ago, I just found out today that my order was mixed up and I will be receiving these materials on Dec 3rd. This is 11 days from our final critique in my class.

This is just a heads up to other photographers and enthusiasts who are interested in using this product. Allow yourself space and time for error, but then again...I guess that is how it is with everything in life.

I also did some further Artist Research this week on Mark Dion. I am particulary interested in his work, Neukom Vivarium. This is a large hemlock tree that he found outside of Seattle. He was able to rescue the tree from a protected watershed area before it rotted. Working with a team, Dion had a greenhouse built to encase the tree and created an exhibit for the Seattle Art Museum. Visitors are engaged into seeing the natural process of the decay of the tree as well as the other natural partners and company that the tree has inhereted (plants, bacteria, and insects). I am fascinated by this piece as it allows you to participate in the viewing of an life process. I plan on continuing to study Mark Dion's work especially this piece, as it addresses the life span of an organic being.

Artist Entry: Nellie Appleby

Nellie Appleby identifies herself as a "plant lisason." She is a former student of my current professor. Appleby began her studies in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Virginia and then moved on to receive her masters from Virginia Commonwealth University. I was fortunate to hear Nellie Appleby speak about her work almost a year ago when she stopped by to give a short visiting artist lecture.

Appleby creates photograms on light senstive fabric which she then pairs with other objects, creating a mixed media sculpture. Her pieces usually entail live plants and televisions sets, a series she has named, "Complicating Matters and Scenarios". I wish I could remember more about this particular piece, but my memory is foggy and I could not find an artist statment.

I do recall that she seemed deeply passionate about nature especially gardens. She grew and maintained several gardens around Richmond and New York, even succeeded in creating even her own minituare lawn. I believe she desired to do so in order to bring some greenery to the urban landscape.

One of my favorite photographs are those taken at night time in her garden. Titled, "nocturnal garden" has an air of mysticim and romanticism. The highlighted areas show the wildness of the garden and Appleby herself, reflective and examining her surroundings.

Nellie Appleby has taken several other natural projects underway. Having worked with Tricyle Gardens, a group dedicated to organic gardening in Richmond, Virginia, Appleby has launched Kitchen Garden Builders and Coaching. This program is designed to help people learn how to gorw their own food organically. Appleby is a strong advocate for enviromental justice, her work and strong involvement in gardening is very admirable, even more so during this "go green" era.

I am very inspired by her actions. I know that she is currently doing an artist residency in the keys to continue her work. From her blog, The Pleasures of Gardening, Appleby has a lot of exposure to the outdoors. I have recently asked my friend Griffin who has a farm if I could come help this summer. I am very curious about how things grow. Hopefully I will get some interesting farm adventures some day...

Research Blog

I just had a meeting with Tom today and he suggested that I begin to look at live nature. Things that are growing and developing, a.k.a not dead. I think that my work will envelop a progression. Therefore, I want to move away from the leaves, which are fallen and dead and make head way into thriving plants.

Tom also mentioned the Great Big Greenhouse. This is large greenhouse is located in Richmond. They host a variety of plants, ranging from your typical herbs to exotic tropical plants, such as banana trees. I plan to make a trip to this greenhouse very soon.

I think that by incorporating live plants will lead me in a positive direction and show my own personal growth away from my consumerism towards a natural environment. I think this will also inspire me to create work towards my original desire, an introduction to a natural environment and the beginning of removing myself from an overwhelmingly product filled area.

Artist Lecture #3: Shimon Attie

Due to my Jewish heritage, I felt a bond between myself and Shimon Attie's work. The first piece he presented, "The Writing on the Wall" was created in one of Berlin's former Jewish quarter. Attie projected old historical images of former Jewish buisnesses and homeowners on the remaining buildings. He would these moments at nightime using color slide film and a very slow shutter speed. The result of this were powerful ghostly images. I could not recognize any of the samples of historical images, but somehow I felt deeply connected. This may be due to my Jewish upbringing, and numerous trips to the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C and Yad Vashem, the memorial museum in Israel. Since I was a child, I have always have been exposed to these historial images. I felt that Attie's work was very symbolic. Attie spoke that he saw this piece as, "time burning through the facade of the present."

In 1995, Attie worked in Coppenhagen to produce "Portraits of Exile" which was shown infront of the Danish Parliament building. He built 9 large underwater light boxes which contained imagery of refugees. He explained that his presentation under water was due to the various implications of water as a means of transit, safety and immigration. He also saw water as a medium of memory and described the work as "almost like fish csoming up for air but not making it." Attie showed us this piece on a video recording but I feel like this artwork is somethig that must be seen in person. The physical image of the piece constantly changes due to the weather, the ripples of the canal and the fish that swim directly above the piece.

With each presenation of artwork, Attie described briefly the historical background of each piece. I was mystified by the stories and information, many of which was new to me. Attie's video installation, "The Attraction of Onlookers: Aberfan, an Anatomy of a Welsh Village" was created to commermorate the 40th Anniversary of the tragedy of this Welsh Village. In 1966, Aberfan, a small Welsh Village suffered from a tragedy which Attie compared to as a, "Welsh Pompei," 120 chidren were immediatly killed by an accidental man made avalance of coal runoff which consumed the only elemtary school. This event robbed the village of their privacy, and from then on they were plagued by the media which bombarded the town. The village commissioned Attie to do this piece to somehow commemorate the event in a new light. Attie worked directly with the villagers to create this artpiece. The villagers were filmed in their community role within the village, as the village dancer, mayor, hardcore singer or sometimes in groups on a rotating stage. The subjects were beautifully lit and held stagnant poses as they were rotated for the film. The imagery was paired with somber music, which made it seem like a disturbing music box. Attie's goal was to help the village universalize it's story and to work as a guide towards normality.

The only thing that bothered me about Attie's presentation of his work was how he reffered to his subjects within the piece. "Every Welsh village has a dancer..." "Every Welsh village has a Southeast Asian Store Owner..." This seemed very stereotypical and made me question his claims to feeling a very strong trie to this village. Overall, Shimon Attie's work is a reminder of the progression and change we have made from our past. He requests us to rekindle and hold on to dear memories, something that will be successful for communal thoughts and dreams.

Mid Term Critique Video Response

After looking at my video recording, I was very surprised. I have a terrible fear of public speaking--no matter what size, environment, audience, I have always had problems. This was not very evident in the video. I have had some experience with video in the classroom from my Art Education classes. One of my biggest problems last time was that I played with my hair too much. I avoided this by putting my hair up, and this prevented me from touching my hair.

When I first moved to the classroom, I was clutching my notebook to my chest, which only a few seconds in, I put it down behind me. My voice did not seem to waver and appears to be friendly and inviting. This is all well and good, but I do have some critiques of my presentation.

Pitch and tonality DOES matter.

When I begin to explain my process, my voice raises:

"I started by scanning leaves in..." '
(DUH, obviously, the change in tone seems as if I question it. CONFIDENCE!)

After the whole explanation: "I think this is what I am trying to address?"
(TRYING?!!! Well, yeah, figure it out already, you better know what you are trying to address!)
I think this happened because I lack confidence in my topic, I had not done enough research for me clearly speak about my work. More research must be done!


When asked about the presentation:
My total appearance changed, I clasp my hands and begin to shift.
I was not happy about the presentation, two of the frames showed the work differently by not having clear backings. That is why I was not confident in explaining the presentation of work.

When the Q and A started:
-I was not very good at answering people's questions, which calls for more preparation.
-I admitted to Ashleigh when she noted that it seemed like I just clumped two things I like
together. I was also rude to Ashleigh when she tried to explain how to use the chlorophyll in leaves in printmaking. I interrupted her, not okay! (I'm sorry!)

I think overall, my presentation went better that I expected, I have a lot of work to do more so in the research department than the actual physical work. I also learned that I have to be absolutely confident in what I am putting up on the wall. If I am not ecstatic about, who will be?

Research Post 11/5/09

After my midterm critique and in preparation of my powerpoint presentation, I tried to write out an artist statement. I found myself doing more external research just to write this, so I ended up not including it in my powerpoint presentation. Here it is, an attempt for me to find new leads and more information:

I have always been very curious about people’s habits. Our mannerisms are heavily influenced by our environment, culture, and time. In comparison from the past, present day society has bypassed the tendencies of the old, and has surged forward welcoming new norms and advances in lifestyle.

Last year, I worked on a conceptual piece, which addressed childhood play. I was interested in investigating traditional staples of play. This project was brought on by my own insecurities of growing up. From this artwork, I was given the opportunity to remember and relearn these activities. I also gained valuable experience and a foot in the door with youth. While I was working on this project, I functioned not only as an artist, but also as a student and a keen observer.

Although this generation shared many of the traditional games and entertainment that I had experienced, there is now advanced play technology. I researched on the Toys “R” Us website and they advertise a basic laptop being appropriate for a 5-7 year old child. Among the top selling items for a 5-7 age group are Nintendo D-S and various Nintendo games. This change to technological entertainment is mainly due to our advanced technology. What I can’t seem to ignore is that this is very wrong. As long as the human race has been on this world, children have always been encouraged to go outside and play. Books and movies have shown cultures where children frolick outside and engage in nature. This simple activity of simpley setting foot outdoors has diminished greatly. There has been voiced concerns that children drown away infront of a television or in videogames. I have always thought that engaging in nature is the springboard for imagination. I am horrified to think that children will not experience the wonders of the world due to our own damage to this planet. What could only be worse is that they don’t even care to have that experience.

However, my piece is not meant for a children’s audience. We too, are guilty of dismissing nature. Most of American society has clamored towards constructing our identities through consumption. We not only clothe, stylize ourselves but also our environment to express ourselves. I believe that the reason for this behavior is due to the exposure of mass marketing material. On the television, we watch as advertisements flash their products every ten minuets. In a magazine, you have to flip through at least 50 adds prior to an article. In our own homes, coupons and paper advertisements visit us daily if not weekly almost like viruses hoping to push their products into your life.

My artwork is a reminder to pause and examine our own lifestyles. I want this piece to convince the viewer to explore simplicity and appreciate the beauty of nature.