I am doing a new blog with DAILY entries to develop my character for my work... I literally just started it today, follow if you'd like
Day By Dabecco
-Liz
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
FINAL
I can't believe this is the end of the semester.
It was wonderful to work with you all. Please, stay in touch!
It was wonderful to work with you all. Please, stay in touch!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
final post of the semester!
It's hard to believe it's that time of the year! I feel a little extra push to make this post count.
So after my last post about getting back to the basics of what drives me to make work, it makes sense to follow up with some classic, personal inspirations.
I believe that it is my job as an artist to make visible the art that already exists in the world. Even though I tend to kind of be scattered during the weekdays, I am still always inclined to stop and look a the patterns that my coffee grinds have left on my filter. I still view my daily lists as drawings, examining them compositionally and aesthetically, rather than fully on what these lists patiently wait for me to complete. My art is always examining these ephemeral, frequently overlooked artifacts of daily experiences and trying to figure out how to prompt others to appreciate these aspects of their lives as well.
I believe that the best art is that which cannot be created by the artist. Just last night, I was working on another version of the hymnals piece for class (actually this is the one I originally set out to make-- the one from the last crt took a different path) and I cut the spine out of one of the books with a utility knife. I noticed that all the tightly stacked pages was incredibly beautiful; they implied so many things that interest me all at once: the likeness to skin and the body, the ephemeral nature of the paper itself, the pages that would be beautiful one page at a time, but take on a whole new beauty as a whole, the aesthetic of time passing, memory. But I think what made it especially beautiful is the fact that I didn't plan for it-- although I cut the papers, I didn't plan to make something beautiful. It was unexpected and unforced. I know that art that combines some element of chance (or maybe something else) always has the potential to be stronger than something I have planned and fully manipulated.
Reading books such as Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life by Allan Kaprow and The Reenchantment of Art by Suzi Gablik have been especially helpful and interesting. Kaprow's book is a collection of his essays over the decades that all relate on the connection between art and life, and Gablik's book makes the case that art needs so become integrated with life, rather than being autonomous like during the Modernist era. (If you're interested in Kaprow's work MOCA has a great site: http://www.moca.org/kaprow/index.php/2008/05/13/documentation-of-18-happenings-in-6-parts/#more-230)
Well I guess that's about all for now! Have a great break everyone and happy art-ing.
So after my last post about getting back to the basics of what drives me to make work, it makes sense to follow up with some classic, personal inspirations.
I believe that it is my job as an artist to make visible the art that already exists in the world. Even though I tend to kind of be scattered during the weekdays, I am still always inclined to stop and look a the patterns that my coffee grinds have left on my filter. I still view my daily lists as drawings, examining them compositionally and aesthetically, rather than fully on what these lists patiently wait for me to complete. My art is always examining these ephemeral, frequently overlooked artifacts of daily experiences and trying to figure out how to prompt others to appreciate these aspects of their lives as well.
I believe that the best art is that which cannot be created by the artist. Just last night, I was working on another version of the hymnals piece for class (actually this is the one I originally set out to make-- the one from the last crt took a different path) and I cut the spine out of one of the books with a utility knife. I noticed that all the tightly stacked pages was incredibly beautiful; they implied so many things that interest me all at once: the likeness to skin and the body, the ephemeral nature of the paper itself, the pages that would be beautiful one page at a time, but take on a whole new beauty as a whole, the aesthetic of time passing, memory. But I think what made it especially beautiful is the fact that I didn't plan for it-- although I cut the papers, I didn't plan to make something beautiful. It was unexpected and unforced. I know that art that combines some element of chance (or maybe something else) always has the potential to be stronger than something I have planned and fully manipulated.
Reading books such as Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life by Allan Kaprow and The Reenchantment of Art by Suzi Gablik have been especially helpful and interesting. Kaprow's book is a collection of his essays over the decades that all relate on the connection between art and life, and Gablik's book makes the case that art needs so become integrated with life, rather than being autonomous like during the Modernist era. (If you're interested in Kaprow's work MOCA has a great site: http://www.moca.org/kaprow/index.php/2008/05/13/documentation-of-18-happenings-in-6-parts/#more-230)
Well I guess that's about all for now! Have a great break everyone and happy art-ing.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
why i make art.
The end of the semester always brings confusion for me. I like to try lots of different things in my art, so naturally I set myself up for some struggles. My hope, though, is that those struggles end up helping me in the long run. They have so far!
So when I get confused I try to "simplify simplify." (Thank you, Mr. Thoreau) Why is it that I make art in the first place? I realized that they also serve as inspirations in a way. These points are like close friends that you can always go back to when the going gets tough:
1. Art is a verb.
I believe that art is an action, not a thing. I don't mean process art, but rather that they way we see things, experience the everyday, be in the moment as they occur naturally in life etc.. They are all art in its purest form. As an artist, I recognize that I will never be able to replicate that art, and that's okay. I believe it is my job to help others to see life in this way through my work. Art isn't based in skills, it's a way of being.
2. Connect with others
Art does not have to be esoteric to be successful. Maybe that distance that people feel towards contemporary art is something that we have perpetuated over the years. Maybe the best way to make art is in a way that people don't realize it's art. Then, it may have potential for broad impact.
3. Everything is temporary
Make the most of every moment. Cliche, but true. I try to do this through my work, and I hope that it also facilitates viewers to do the same.
Nice and simple!
So when I get confused I try to "simplify simplify." (Thank you, Mr. Thoreau) Why is it that I make art in the first place? I realized that they also serve as inspirations in a way. These points are like close friends that you can always go back to when the going gets tough:
1. Art is a verb.
I believe that art is an action, not a thing. I don't mean process art, but rather that they way we see things, experience the everyday, be in the moment as they occur naturally in life etc.. They are all art in its purest form. As an artist, I recognize that I will never be able to replicate that art, and that's okay. I believe it is my job to help others to see life in this way through my work. Art isn't based in skills, it's a way of being.
2. Connect with others
Art does not have to be esoteric to be successful. Maybe that distance that people feel towards contemporary art is something that we have perpetuated over the years. Maybe the best way to make art is in a way that people don't realize it's art. Then, it may have potential for broad impact.
3. Everything is temporary
Make the most of every moment. Cliche, but true. I try to do this through my work, and I hope that it also facilitates viewers to do the same.
Nice and simple!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Dovima with elephants by Richard Avedon.
Richard Avedon always uses opposite things in his photographs: big and small, thin and heavy, dark and light, subtle against the rough.They make me become more thoughtful about my paintings.
"Elise Daniels with the Street Performers," Richard Avedon They seem both beautiful and ugly at the same time. The women's clothes are dated, yet the black & white
compositions give them a timeless feeling that I like a lot.
DOVIMA & BORZOI DOG 1955,PHOTO RICHARD AVEDONT
his photo touches me because of the image of the woman - she seems to be thinking and looking intensely at the same time verses the dog's hair and expression. The dog seems not to care at all, but is funny all the same.
Monday, December 5, 2011
The difficulties of translation..
It's the end of the semester and I have officially run out of steam, ideas, and inspirations. I suppose I always go back to my original sources, and hope to find new ones as time goes. As a reminder, my go to's are always more on the traditional/impressionist/classical/some surrealist side of art. Monet is what caused me to change my major from general studies to art. Kathe Kollwitz is what made me want to understand perspective and be able to communicate my thoughts from an emotional level that's accessible to viewers. Anders Zorn helped me to approach etching with a strong sense of value and line. Dali taught me how to expand two dimensional space. And in terms of contemporary art, well.. I tend to rely on Juxtapoz Magazine, friends, old instructors, good design work, and what's happening around me.
As I've stated in the past, I tend to view art as another form of language. Whether people like it or not, it's a form of communication. One of my instructors told me, "Design and composition are the poetry of visual language-something is focused upon and emphasized by the artist using the design elements (the language). It's the same thing that separates verbal poetry from prose, some things are emphasized, certain things are left out." (Thanks Pat). I've signed on to this understanding of art for some time. As I learn who I am, and what I want to make, I will use this language to try to translate what I want to say. So if my work seems oversimplified (i.e., not abstract enough/too "direct"), or too accessible, it's because I want it to be.
The difficulties of translation come in the form of experience. It is really hard for me to sit down and read the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and understand without first understanding Hebrew culture and their experiences within that culture. It is difficult for someone to understand what I want to say without first understanding my experience. I suppose it all falls apart at that point of reasoning. Why do I make work? I'm not sure, but I think I'm attempting to bridge the gap between my life experience and the viewer's interpretation of what they see.
How about that art show? I was really excited about the turnout, and excited to see so much work. Thanks Martyna for giving us the opportunity to have a show. I love putting together/participating in shows because of the excitement and end result.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
I'm going to shame everybody (except Cory) for not going to see Meredith's talk on Thursday night. It was the best things I did all semester. Seriously. I didn't expect to see a direct connection from photographs of people and my interior space paintings, but she doesnt shoot people in front of green screens, so I was looking at people in their own spaces! I've been making paintings of spaces of fake and plastic spaces, and whats missing is the evidence that people actually live there. She told me afterwards that she will take things out of a space and add things back in to complete the photo. Even though she's a photographer, she is influenced by painting, and in her presentation included some paintings about interiors, so it was really cool to hear her thoughts about my interior paintings.
At any rate, I have new ideas about where to take these interior paintings, and its going to start with photographs. Would anyone be willing to let me photograph their living spaces before break? I'm trying to find the exact opposite of neat, tidy spaces, so theres no need to be self conscious about how messy it is. And if it'll make you feel better, you can come take a peek at the disaster area that is my grad studio.
Speaking of my studio! I made a drawing on the wall in the cubby next to mine, and I would love cool people to come and look at it sometime. If you think of it, grab me. I love to talk about the things I'm excited about.
PS - PRESSDRAW was phenominal, and all the cool kids totally rode in my van.
At any rate, I have new ideas about where to take these interior paintings, and its going to start with photographs. Would anyone be willing to let me photograph their living spaces before break? I'm trying to find the exact opposite of neat, tidy spaces, so theres no need to be self conscious about how messy it is. And if it'll make you feel better, you can come take a peek at the disaster area that is my grad studio.
Speaking of my studio! I made a drawing on the wall in the cubby next to mine, and I would love cool people to come and look at it sometime. If you think of it, grab me. I love to talk about the things I'm excited about.
PS - PRESSDRAW was phenominal, and all the cool kids totally rode in my van.
1) John Muir. John Muir has been called the father of conservation in america. He is responsible for the care put into Sequoia Vallery,Yosemite National Park,and other areas. He spent alot of time traveling and camping in the mountains and wrote about his environment and sketched alot of it too.He said alot, He said this: When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to
everything else in the universe. I think you can accept that metaphorically or literally. Hes probably one of the most important people who have been in this country, and i can guarantee the soil speaks highly of him.
everything else in the universe. I think you can accept that metaphorically or literally. Hes probably one of the most important people who have been in this country, and i can guarantee the soil speaks highly of him.
2)respect between man and environment, when i was in arizona, the cacti would step aside to avoid poking me.
3)St. Anthony. was one of the earlier monks or ascetics who was known for journeying into the wilderness to seek holy experiences. this must have been after a time whenever people didnt know to do that anymore, and so he was thought to be one of the first. He is also thought to have eaten strange things to aid in his experiences.I enjoy imagery of him as well.
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