September 18th, 2009 — Uncategorized
I returned to Grand Rapids to finish my installation at the Old Federal Building. While there I noticed on the front page of The Grand Rapids Press an article by Troy Reimink about Larry Moss, Jason Hackenwerth and myself titled, “Take a deep breath and put on your wearable balloon art.” All three of us are using inflatable media during the ArtPrize competition.
September 17th, 2009 — Uncategorized
Performance at ArtPrize Opening & Registration Fair | 4:00
Location: Lyon Square, Grand Rapids, MI (west of Monroe Ave)
Performance at UICA Opening Reception | 5:00 – ?
Location: 41 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Performance Trek Starting at Old Federal Building | 2:00 – ?
Location: Old Federal Building, 155 Division N, Grand Rapids, MI
Slide Wars | 6:00– 9:00
Location: Israels JW Trade Center, 601 5th NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Performance Trek Starting at Old Federal Building | 1:30 – ?
Location: Old Federal Building, 155 Division N, Grand Rapids, MI
Performance Trek Starting at Old Federal Building | Various Times Throughout the Day
Location: Old Federal Building, 155 Division N, Grand Rapids, MI
Lunchbox Series Competing Couple: Jimmy Kuehnle + Mimi Kato | 12:00 – 1:00
Location: Kendall College of Art and Design, 17 Fountain, Grand Rapids, MI
Other impromptu performances will occur at various locations around town as situations present themselves.
Have fun. You only spin around once.
September 16th, 2009 — Uncategorized
Today Mimi and I drove to Grand Rapids to install work for ArtPrize. Mimi is exhibiting at the Grand Rapids Art Museum and I am at the Old Federal Building. We spent the morning installing Mimi’s work and then I headed to my venue to beginning installation of You Wear What I Wear.
Everything went smoothly and at 6:00 we attended a preview party at the Old Federal Building. After having some treats and beverages we decided to head home.
September 15th, 2009 — Uncategorized
The new suit will sport big yellow letters as well as some large arrows.
Tomorrow I trek to Grand Rapids to install work at the Old Federal Building as part of the upcoming ArtPrize competition. There is also a preview event from 5:00 to 8:00 at the same location.
As the PR says:
Be the first to experience ArtPrize in UICA’s exclusive PreView! Engage with artists as
they install their work and get a sneak peak at UICA’s ArtPrize exhibitions before they are
completely installed. Learn about ArtPrize voting procedures, UICA’s ArtPrize audio guide,
and how to evaluate contemporary art. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to pre–register and
purchase ArtPrize merchandise. Reception includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
Should be a hoot.
September 14th, 2009 — Uncategorized
After setting my studio up at Albion College, I got to work designing a new inflatable suit. This suit will have some large inflatable arrows made from pink nylon. Above is a small preview of a preliminary sketch for the suit. As details get finalized and fabricated I will post more pictures.
September 12th, 2009 — Uncategorized
Over the summer the Houston Arts Alliance invited me to submit three drawings for bicycle rack designs to be installed outside the Gus S. Wortham Theater in Houston. I submitted three different proposals and am proud to announce that one of my designs made the cut. The location for the racks will be on Preston Avenue at the north end of the Wortham Theater.
I have made temporary public art installations but this is my first permanent public piece. The public art world has a Catch-22 since experience with previous projects is usually required to gain experience in projects. I hope with this commission that I will be able to get my foot farther in the door of the public art world.
The racks will be made by a Houston based fabrication company after I make final drawings.
September 11th, 2009 — Uncategorized
I am headed back to Texas this October. Art Outside invited me to exhibit and perform at their 5th annual event. This year Art Outside will be from the 9th to the 11th at Apache Pass in Texas. Tickets are required to attend the event and are on sale now. I will post a schedule of my events when the times are finalized.
From the Art Outside Website:
Art Outside is a community-based temporary art show created by hundreds of artists and appreciated by thousands of viewers/participants. AO provides a platform for all varieties of artists to display their work in an unconventional arena at the Austin Enchanted Forest. At its root, AO inspires new forms of creativity and experience by taking art out of the traditional gallery and into the forest.
September 10th, 2009 — Uncategorized
Today, You Wear What I Wear, made its debut performance in Albion, Michigan. This afternoon I inflated the suit and began to march around the campus. Similar to other inflatable suits, it gets the look and the cell phone picture. Students did not know quite what to make of the suit with many appendages that could also quickly climb stairs. Many asked what I was doing and why. Others told me that I made their day.
After a stint roaming around Albion College, I headed toward the main strip of old businesses in town. Superior Street is lined with small town shops on both sides. Patrons of a local restaurant stopped their meal, exited the establishment and crossed the street to talk to me.
I hope to take Big Red out for a short stroll tomorrow. I finished setting up the studio today and will begin new projects tomorrow. Taking Big Red out will be a nice break from the grind.
September 8th, 2009 — Uncategorized
After returning from Finland and a nice summer break in St. Louis, I am back. This time I am at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. For the fall semester I will be a resident artist here at the college.
Today I began to move stuff into the studio. While setting up my second welding studio with Kjell Hahn in Japan, I asked him, “How many more times will we have to do this?” I am not sure about an exact number but the answer is many, many times.
Since I have set up my studio multiple times and in various locations I can do it a bit more quickly now. Today I made a fabric cutting table and will set up my sewing machine station tomorrow. Hopefully I will be sewing soon after that.
July 30th, 2009 — Uncategorized
