Getting ready for first lecture (taught by me!!)

In Studio Practices II, the Professor Nina and I discussed the possibility of me having total control over an assignment.  The assignment: One Minute Performance!!  I am excited, anxious and a little scared.  At least I know the students are great people and they won't tape me to the wall and torture me.  I have selected a number of artists to talk about and show the students.  Artists like: Yoko Ono, Wafaa Bilal, Ana Mendieta, William Pope. L. , Berry Le Va ( who doesn't really make performance pieces, but the body's absence is always made present, also I find his Impact Run Energy Drain from the 1960's really interesting.  And Finally, Joseph Beuys.  Look Familiar Brian?  It should, I learned about all these artists from your classes and how could I forget Wafaa Bilal?  I still have the handout from the  I Don't Know Their Names piece he made at Linfield College.  Anyway, the lecture will be given on Nov. 20th so wish me luck!

New Artist Statement as of 11/5/14

Holly Vader

Artist Statement

            While wandering, I hear voices calling out to me from the landscape.  Following the voices, I come across abandoned objects.  I perceive the soul within the object through examination.  All objects desire to be useful, to have a purpose.  For some objects, they are content with becoming shelters for smaller organisms before breaking down into minerals for other entities to feed on.  However, I hear some objects cry out in frustration, yearning for a different purpose, to become art.  These are the objects I harvest.

            I hold no predetermined ideas and therefore I do not have a specific object or shape in mind when I set out to make a new piece.  I frequently scour Biology, Human Anatomy and Veterinary textbooks searching for inspiration.  The structures of plants, organs of animals, and internal systems of humans influence my work.  When construction occurs, the found object is accompanied by pieces of formed metal.  This integration of metal acts as my contribution to the item.  Metal, in my work represents humanness, a material fashioned for manipulation.  There is a tension between industrial metals and natural materials.  This pressure between natural and man-made objects began when humans set to control and tame the natural world.  However, my purpose is not to dominate but to provide a connection between these two worlds.  I build this connection by creating my own ecosystem of materials.  Bringing a variety of elements together, such as: wood, metal, bone and nylon forms this ecosystem.  These materials reflect the tension and kinship between natural and man-made objects. 

            I spend copious amount of time examining and listening to the object.  I develop a relationship through respect and understanding.  This relationship helps guide me when I begin constructing the ecosystem.  When I force objects to try to be something they are not, resistance builds and incidents such as: entire sections shattering or rejection of materials occur.  During these mistakes, I must take a step back and reconnect with the object.