New Artist Statement

There’s the old heroic story, where man is at war with Nature; the romantic version,

where Man merges spiritually with Nature; and, more recently, the environmental morality tale,

in which Nature pays Man back for his transgressions, yet all of them share a premise we know to be false

but we can’t seem to shake: that we somehow stand outside, or apart from nature.

Michael Pollan

My work is a mediation of time, and the incessant and irrepressible impact of nature, despite mankind’s intrusions. It reflects the fascination I have with the details of natural systems and the cycles of growth and rebirth within those cycles. Through photographs and performance I am investigating the role of entropy in the cycles of birth and resurrection in the new England area. Through sculptures I explore critical issues involving introducing a natural system (living plants) into the traditional presentation of a work of art.

May 15th Opening...How Did it go?

Well I had the opening and it was not all I had hoped. This is totally my fault, I didn't do nearly enough pre event promotion. Okay! honesty here; I did very little. I sent post cards out very late and didn't send them to any galleries or local art people. That said I did try something out of my comfort zone so I have to give myself credit there. Experience IS the best teacher.

Oh! did I mention my camera broke. So I have to rely some video and stills from my friends. I fixed the camera and went back later in the day and took shots of the labeled work without people. So as soon as I download and edit the video and get some photos from another friend I'll be posting more later.

I think it was a good idea and I really liked what I did to pull it off I guess the 'if you build it they will come' philosophy is not the one to take on this sort of thing.

Here is an excerpt from my journal of what I wanted to happen I have been working on this idea in my head since February:

Proposal for an exhibition of found sculpture at the location of old Route 103 Warner NH:

I will create an art exhibit showing the forgotten road route 103 in Warner NH. This place represents to me as an artist the results of how the natural world takes over the cultural structures of man’s world once man has stopped maintaining it. Theses places are ecologically significant because they represent biodiversity during a time that is losing species at a rate of 27,000 per year. (Wilson, Edward O. The diversity of Life, The Belknap Press of Harvard university press, Cambridge, Mass.1992)

Humans need to become observers of our ecosystem if we are to “save the planet” we have no real appreciation that we are part of a very complex biology of which we know so little about.

What is needed to make this happen:

Permission from the town of Warner and the neighboring residence to hold this event?

(Turns out I needed no permission from anyone it is public land. I did talk to the guy who owns the house next to the spot. He was all for it.)

A date should be set May 15 (is my choice)

Print cards invitations

What will be at the exhibit:

The exhibit will take place at the bridge that crosses the Warner River off of Morris Loop. On display will be the found sculpture of route 103. Also on display will be photographs of other places this phenomenon has happened. Also on display will be the sketches and prototypes of an installation work by the artists about the nature/culture dichotomy.

This is what I ended up with:

I brought my sculptures to place them in this context. I like the boxes better on a wall here they blended in too much. But the 3D work seemed to be a nice addition to this made it a sculpture garden.

Art Opening this Saturday

I am having an opening!

On Saturday @ 10am in Sutton, NH.

I am creating a opportunity for people to come to the location of old route 103 and see my found sculptures. I'm planning on labeling the significant works, complete with instructions on which direction to look. We'll see how it goes I don't expect a huge turn out but I do know a few who are coming. I'll be documenting the process. More to come...

I've been doing some more photos and reading about entropy.

This is a shed at the bottom of my hill I believe it's been there since the 40s or 50s it has been unoccupied since the early 60s for sure although people have suck stuff in there over the years. Easier than the long trip to the dump I guess.

I have been working on this guy for a couple of weeks. Just finished yesterday with the glass

next is to install watering system, then plant the plants

Here is the progression:

Finished with grout in place.

I chose black to imitate pavement and make it look old.

The transformation was a little shocking. but I'm happy with it. I reminds me of something that might be in a subway station.I can't wait for the plants to start growing : )

I have been slammed at work rectification for me and accreditation for the school coming down at the same time!

Anyway I have been able to get some stuff done, starts and stops and disappointing for me not enough progress...never enough progress.

A lot of my time have been occupied with researching a watering system for these works.

I didn't think that plant care and how to maintain these works would become so complex! I have learned more about pumps, check valves, solenoids and fittings than I'd care to really know. Gib thankfully is a bit more versed in this area and has agreed to be my engineer.

But the first signs of spring showed up last week! Little shoots of grass growing in the 3D sculpture! Yeah! they were so cute!

Filled with hope!

I can tell the sun is getting stronger the plants in my sculptures have exploded.

This is the grass a week later...

Buoyed by the appearance of the grass and progress on the the watering systems, I have begun a new wall piece. I hope to get the plaster dry soon so I can smooth it out and start the mosaic surface.

I also have plans to work on another 3D piece. I like the idea of 3D pieces.

I think I will be altering the plants in all my sculptures right now they look a little too cultivated I want them to be more wild.

A prototype for the installation idea. I need to build a companion piece, to butt up against the grass section, so it looks more like a crack.

Grass was just added two days ago we'll have to see if it stays happy in it's new home.

Watering is still an issue, the grass is in a wire mesh and it drains pretty fast, I think I'll have to come up with a way of sealing the containment system. I might just plaster it in place.

Currently I am working on this sculpture .

It is plaster and glass-it has a cavity in the center I plan on planting grass in it.

I am trying to decide if I should grout in black or white. I'm not sure about the shape It looks kind of funny to me (not a good funny) I can't help thinking it looks like a goose.

Another view

on its side

This image shows the cavity where the grass will grow

This is an image from my sketchbook- it is where I think I want to go with my ideas of the earth sculptures.

I'm working on an idea to make this a contained living system, complete with and irrigation system, using pumps and grow lights. I'm hoping I can power all my stuff with a micro-algae that pr

oduces bio-diesel.

These are details of sections drawn large (24x20) I'm working with the images of places where nature has taken back- a few of these abstractions really intrigue me I am just working with the images now. I have a few ideas about how I am going to represent them sculpturally but am still working

out technique details