Artist Lecture #1: Alec Soth

Alec Soth followed his fascination of the American landscape to document the world and celebrate its uniqueness. By doing so, he has a strange collection of images that seem almost deadpan, but with further investiagtion the connections between the work begins to plant seeds of thought and curiousity for the viewer. Soth's work mainly stems from the roadtrips he has taken alongside the Mississippi river. Ironically, there is only a few images of the actual river included. The series is more of beds, houses and other subjects which resided alongside the body of water.Through out the lecture Soth put a huge emphasis on the need and desire to "hitting the road." He quite romanticized the idea, explaining his process, "trying to move through space to connect the dots." He related his traveling to "being out there and moving" and the images that he was creating as the connecting tie.

What I enjoyed most about his lecture is that he made references to historical photographers as well as those he admired and respected. I believe this gives great insight into an artist mind, the audience has a deeper understanding to the meaning and inspiration behind the work. Soth frequently mentioned the works of Robert Frank, William Eggleston and Lee Friedlander. It reminded me greatly of our own student process, the need to know and recognize artists that relate to us. I was impressed that Soth spoke so openly and so admiringly about these artists. This earned my respect. Soth didn't seem full of himself even though he has an extensive amounts of recognition and awards.

My favorite project Soth presented was his participation in a magazine article, The Most Beautiful Girl in Georgia. I was highly amused by this idea, the search for such a particular ridiculous thing. The way he described his process and the adventure was amusing, the clincher is the images he shows of his find: the back of the womans head. Soth also tells of another treasure hunt: The Loneliest Man in Missouri. Soth's catch--a nightime nurse who frequents strip clubs everynight. Something about these themes, his finds, really speaks to me. I enjoy the idea these bizzare quests. I found this to be very inspirational and I hope to come up with my own expedition, who knows, I've always wanted to find the world's cutest cupcake. Hmmm...

Here are some images of Alec Soth's work, enjoy!

Research Blog: The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms

"The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms" is a comprehensive illustrated glossary comprising over 2400 terms commonly used to describe vascular plants. The book also provides definitions to botanical terminology.

I am head over heels with this book. I have always been attracted to anatomical drawings of skeletons, animals and plants. While I have seen much beautiful sketches with color, the best thing about this book is the lengthy definitions. I have never been exposed to this language outside of the absolute bare minimum given in high school biology.

Have you heard of any of this?

hose-in hose: The unusual arrangement of flowers in some forms of Primula vulgaris (Primrose and P.veris (cowslip), in which the flowers are in pairs, one growing from the center of the other. (page 97)

(They even provide a cross reference image!!!)

corymb: A racemose inflorescence with pedicels of different lengths, causing the flower cluster to be flat-topped. (page 122)

rhizophore: In the genus Selaginella, a leaf-less branch which arises from the fork in the stem and grows downwards, putting out roots when it reaches the ground
(page 208)

(This is pretty crazy looking)

The natural wonders, that even small plants provide. The only thing I wish about this book was that it would also list information where these plants are most commonly found. The glossary also had some great visual information on leaves.


It seems that I have used a variety of compound leaves, Paripinnate as well as Tripinnate. In some of my other compositions I have used Palmatifid leaves as well as Pinnnatisect leaves, both classified as "simple leaves." I found studying this book and learning the scientific terminology for my subject really interesting. I look forward to learning more about botany. I included some pages from the book that were pretty interesting.

Artist Lecture #4: Amy Hauft

Amy Hauft is the chair of the Sculpture Department here at Virginia Commonwealth University Last night she gave a very brief lecture at the Anderson Gallery where her piece, "Counter Re-formation" is installed.

Hauft generally works to create large architectural pieces, intending for the sculpture to resemble a landscape. Hauft explained that landscapes and "arcane" craft are very essential to her artistic process. I didn't know what arcane meant, but I looked it up:

arcane-adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matter.

This would make sense, as Hauft delved into the historical background behind her piece. The center of the work was a small sugar sculpture staircase inspired by a wooden model she had seen in at a Cooper Hewit show. She related the wooden staircase to a DNA strand and was so interested in the model that she convinced the curators at the museum to allow her to measure the piece. Hauft has replicated the staircase using melted sugar cane to twice the original size.
Speaking about her technique, I learned that the use of sugar is indeed an arcane craft, having been frequently used in the 16th and 17th century. Hauft sought out Ivan Day, a culinary artist who specializes in the ephemeral art in cooking. Ivan Day provided antique cookbooks and taught Hauft the craft of sugar molding.

Hauft provided insight into this obsolete art form. Apparently the artisans used these sugar sculptures as a way to imitate porcelain, due to the high price of porcelain craft. By the Baroque Era, the artisans had mastered the medium so well that they could create intricate small gardens. By exploring this time period, Hauft was also inspired to incorporate a dessert table modeled after a table Louis XIV has possessed.

The overall goal of the piece is for the viewer to experience a physical experience they would have in the outdoors. The table and it's contents are supposed to imply an icy landscape. Hauft mentioned that she was inspired by the heavy snowdrifts that would cover cars. Another important aspect of this piece was the inclusion of a staircase. "Couner Re-formation" had been previously shown at the University of Western Michigan. At this location, the audience had accessibility to viewing the art from above. Due to some of architecutal set backs, Hauft installed a staircase so that the viewers of the piece have the opportunity to view the piece in a similar matter. Hauft believes that the best way to understand how everything is in relation to each other is to have an above view. This sculpture functions to allow everyone a strong physical experience within the space.

Application for Show #3: Smithsonian magazine 7th Annual Photo Contest

This is the image that I submitted:

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...