University Place..

Please join us at our small group show this Thursday, 10/6 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM @ 124 Mt Auburn St., Cambridge, MA

Even better!..

In my last post I mentioned sending out an update when the Bridgewater State folks updated their site with images from the NESA show there.

They have built a video montage instead!  Here’s a link to the article and short video – complete with music.  Enjoy!

BSU NewsLog: Casting Call

 

 

 

Art Discussion @ BSU: Talking 3D….

As a change of pace from the typical art exhibition open house – NESA Exhibit Chair, Karen Klein decided to hold an art discussion this Sunday, Sept. 18 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM titled,  Talking 3-D:  Conversations with Sculptors

Here is the link to the University’s Directions page:

Bridgewater State University

The text information should get you pretty close (for the last three people on the planet without a GPS…)  Once you find the specifics for the Maxwell library, they do mention to use the Chapel parking lot.

Here’s a map of the campus that I borrowed from the libraries web site

along with a close up of the library building and Chapel log (13 & I).

Clement C Maxwell library Director, Michael Somers assures me that there will be an entry (with images) posted to the schools events calendar soon.  I’ll post and update once that’s been done.

I hope you can join us this Sunday afternoon!

Exploring Process..

As my latest small group show opening approaches, I find myself wondering what my process really is.  The theme for this Cambridge Art Association (CAA) sponsored event was proposed and submitted by the other four members of our group before I was even a working member.

I didn’t give it much thought at first other than liking the sound of the idea, Process Explored.  It wasn’t until I understood that our group would be responsible for developing the idea and doing all of the promotion for the show (not to mention actually making, installing and showing our work) – that I began to grapple with conveying this seemingly basic concept.

Ok, so process is something that is fundamental to the very act of stone carving.  This shouldn’t be too difficult.  Just grab a few images of stone in various stages;  raw blocks, rough out, show some of the process marks left by hammer & chisel, diamond cutting discs, inline air hammer and refining finishing….

But, it’s more than that.  Back it up — where do the forms come from?  Hmm..

Fashion is one of my latest forms of inspiration.  What I like to refer to as ‘extreme fashion’.  And, dance.  Any and all forms of dancing figures.  Sound.  Music, there’s movement there.  Listening through ear protection as I carve.  It creeps into my body.  Feet, hips, arms – fingers..

Wait.., back it up even more.  There are flashes..  Sometimes when I’m walking through the woods with my three dogs.  Or, early morning.  Waking up watching the play of moving shadows on the wall.  Clouds.  These moments of stillness and meditation are all very necessary parts of the creation process.

Then, drawing.  Putting the most persistent images down on paper.  Simple images or even words, iterate, refine – switch to plastilina or foam or air block or even stone / wood.  Make a rubber mold and pour a copy using;  wax or resin.  

Next step, look into some stone – literally.  If I’m lucky, I might look down into a quarry pile and see a piece that speaks directly to me.  If not, I break out the ruler and all the math I can muster..

What if something unexpected happens!  Incorporate – Repair – Reorient!

Should I include the endless hours of staring?  Looking to see if the lines work properly.  Making sure that your own mind hasn’ttricked you into believing that the form is truly lovely – finished.  When it really isn’t..

Of course, over time I’ve learned not to analyze any of this too closely.  I’ve found that the more I try to define it the more illusive my process becomes.  It doesn’t help to keep picking at it trying to peel back the layers and really ‘see’ what’s going on in there.  For some reason, the closer I look – the more ephemeral it becomes and- it will dissipate- like vapor.

Monte Altissimo!

Here are some images from my quarry trip to Cava Cervaiole last weekend.

That’s not snow..

Carlo, Antonio, Yemisi

Yemisi along with her husband Francesco agreed to take a group of people on a Saturday morning tour.  Here she is talking with Carlo the foreman and Antonio the shift boss.

T

The view from the top with the Mediterranean sea at our feet..

Here’s a tip

When I was putting together tools to bring to Italy with me – and trying to stay under the weight limit for British Airlines – I was just guessing about what to bring.

Obviously, too big...

I knew that I wanted to concentrate on carving with and air hammer, but I wasn’t sure which one.  So, I brought a few that I’d been using.  Interestingly, I left my Cuturi behind.  This was my first pneumatic machine, but I recently decided that I liked the Trow & Holden hammer I had inherited better (smoother?).  Anyway, I brought that along with two different German pistol grips.  I’m glad that I did because I’ve gotten a chance to really work with them all.

One place I could have saved some weight however was with all of the connections (a.k.a. whips).  The shop I’m in doesn’t used quick connectors.  So, all you really need is a universal thread on the end of any air tool.  I ended up taking all of my whips, valves and nipples off  (they already have an inline valve) and just screwing their air hose onto the end.  This took some getting used to, but it is much simpler.  I just put a few drops of oil into my tools before I screw them onto the end of the line and go.

One of the SEM artigiani loaned me a Cuturi as well, so I got a chance to really compare everything.  I’m using the Trow & Holden almost exclusively now and a couple of the artigiani have tried it out and at least grunted in the affirmative and/or said that ‘it’s a good machine’.  Leo thought that it might even out last a similar sized Cuturi over time based on its heft – apparently, Cuturi has discovered designed obsolescence in recent years.

One thing that is handy to have though is a universal adapter.  Just in case you can’t get the whip off something or you don’t want to take the time.  I just screwed this onto the end of the line and then used my quick connect to do a quick switch.

One other thing that I found I liked – once I learned to use it properly – is hand pointing chisel (La Subbia) that they use at studio SEM.  It is made by Muller and is superior to anything I have used in the past.  You do need a decent hammer – 10 Euro.

Modello in gesso

I was invited to dinner with some new friends here in Pietrasanta a few days ago.  I happened to mention that I was interested in seeing some of the plaster models that the old style master carvers used.

I wasn’t sure that studios like this even still existed, but a couple of artists from the studio down the street from SEM suggested that I stop in when I had some time.  I was there bright and early the next morning.

This is just a sample of overall collection.  These plaster macquettes seemed to span decades and perhaps centuries (more than just the one elven years ago).

The original owner of the studio has moved his business out of the tourist section of the town.  He’s built a new studio and leases the old building, but he still owns and references the older works.

Great art makes great rooms!

Gallery Talk – Carol Friedman

Thursday, May 19, 6:30pm

Carol Friedman of Design Resources, Inc. will discuss trends in design and the incorporation of artwork in interior décor.

I thought I’d try to get the word about this event with some time to spare.  A series of these ‘Design Trends’ talks are being done throughout the month of May.

I happened to notice that one of my small pieces – Nebula – in the smaller of the images that was sent out in a reminder email (it’s pretty difficult to see though).

Here’s a link to the Powers gallery site in Acton, MA if you’re interesting in more information:

http://www.powersgallery.com/exhibit/may11.html

Also, here an image I posted a while back of, Nebula

Working for a living

Wow, I didn’t realize that I looked so tired..

I just started my second piece today.  My plan is to just rough out both of them (and, perhaps a third) before I leave to mitigate the shipping costs.  I’ll probably throw some raw stone into my crate as well to get closer to the minimum weight.

The piece on the left is the one I [false] started once and have been working on since I arrived.  It was a very nice block of Italian statuario – my first.  I had to swap out the first block it turned to be cooked after I spent about four hours working on it the first day.  I’m very happy with how the form is coming along so far and will get more off as time goes on – then finishing back at HSS in Medford, MA.

The one on my right is a form that I’ve already carved once in Limestone, but the studio had a block of Portuguese pink marble that was made for my model.  Plus, I wanted to make some modifications and there is plenty of stone for that.  I also have some new ideas for texturing / finishing that I couldn’t do with limestone.  Hopefully, that all works out once everything gets back to Boston.

More to come…

Still time, if you hurry!

Almost forgot about this – sorry.

Big Art 2!  in Concord in front of the Emerson Umbrella building.  The opening reception is tonight from 6:00 – 9:00.

You might just be able to make out, Bird there in the background – if you squint.

http://www.emersonumbrella.org/gallery/big-art-2/