Absence

One of a few reasons for my absence from the blog. I have been having the joy of sharing my spare time with Nick, once a dear friend from IUP and now my sweetheart.

This afternoon we drove out to montauk, after living in long island for 2 years, it was high time I actually make it out to the end.

Islamic Wing at the Met.

The weekend after my show opened and I was able to get more than 4 hours of sleep on consecutive nights, it was about time to get to the city.  Kathryn and I decided to head up town to the Metropolitan Museum for the opening of the newly renovated Islamic Art wing.  We were enthralled and exhausted by the collection.  I'll let the photos speak for the experience.

The collection is so expansive that to view everything will require subsequent visits in the coming months.  I can't wait.  

Seven Hundred Thirty-Five

Seven Hundred Thirty-Five, 2011, fabric, anthracite coal, earth, sod, pine, cable, 18 x 8 x 12 feet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By now I suppose my long absences have become some what expected and hopefully met with a modicum of understanding.  One of the three major hurdles of the final MFA year is nearly over for me, my solo thesis exhibition, deinstall this weekend.  In due time I will do my best to get caught up on goings-on, first I'd like to begin with the most important event:  Thanksgiving.

Thank you dear friends and family, near and far, human and furry.  Without you I'm not sure where I'd be.  You make life so much more vibrant and joyful.  Thank you.

Randel carving the turkey.  "you haven't lived until you've had deep fired turkey."

Nina, Daryl, and Jose surveying the spread.

Harlow patiently waiting some turkey jumpers.

Strike a pose!

David and Joe, warming up from the great poultry fry.

Home

A few weeks ago I absconded back home for a bit.  The time away from Long Island and the studio was well needed.  Not to get too cheesy or emotional, I was able to gain enough energy from family and friends to get me through to my thesis show in November.  Another really wonderful moment from home was finally sharing my current work with Dad.  The basis of the work is directly related to him, his former profession in coal mining and all of the emotional, physical, and sociological ramifications of the industry.  

Sophie Vader imploring me not to leave. 

**Side note here is the DVE ( a Pittsburgh Radio Station) that is Sophie's namesake.  Our kitty Otis, was named for, well, Otis in the skit, too.

Here are a few shots of some deer in the neighbor's yard.  Kinda tough to spot them through the rain drops;  there were six total roaming through the blueberry bushes looking for dinner.  We like to think Sophie has a distant relationship to the deer...she has the snout and ears of a deer, also she likes to curl up like one just kicking it in the brush.

NIck Cave at Mary Boone and Jack Shainman Galleries

Passport to the Playground.  Joint exhibitions at Mary Boone and Jack Shainman.

The installation of the sound suits at Mary Boone was so densely layered that is was difficult to see each of them clearly.  Of course there was a prized suit given its own little platform and space in the back office / gallery.  My favorites of the groupings are the suits with figurines, toys, chandelairs, and fabrics brightly knitted;  they feel so exuberant.  Although, when the suits are worn and performed in, the ones constructed of a single material respond to the dancer's movement in a more spirited way.  

A video series in four acts accompanied the installation at Jack Shainman Gallery.  Here is a promo spot used for both galleries from YouTube.

Do Ho Suh at Lehmann Maupin Gallery

Home Within a Home, Do Ho Suh at Lehmann Maupin.  

This exhibition was an exhausting joy to see.  Prior to my visit I hadn't seen any of Do Ho's work aside from some small sewn sculptures in person.  Yikes, so much precision, engineering, humor, and a subtle sense of loss.  

Fallen Star 1/5

There is a small model of a Singer sewing machine centering the Korean house.  

Example of his sewn organza sculptures...several where in wall vitrines.  

Home Within Home, prototype, made from photo sensitive resin. 

Not sure exactly how this photo sensitive resin behaves under light, but I wouldn't be surprised if it slowly degrades.  That would be damn clever.

In this piece the Korean home is centered within Do Ho's Providence, RI home.   

Kathryn admiring the insanity and trying to figure out what and how the piece is made.