Every now and then I come across an artist that is doing something a little different from everybody else yet creating pieces that have at first glance at least, the comforting feeling of home.
Who doesn’t relax around huge pillars of color gradiated folded clothes, or shoes set politely in a circle
Here is a blurb from Derick Melanders ‘Artists Statment’ on his site
Statement
I create large geometric configurations from carefully folded and stacked second-hand clothing. These structures take the form of wedges, columns and enclosures, typically weighing between five hundred pounds and one ton. Many of these pieces directly interact with the surrounding architecture and sometimes create discrete environments of their own.
As clothing wears, fades, stains and stretches it becomes an intimate record of our physical presence. It traces the edge of the body, defining the boundary between the individual and the outside world.
The clothing used for these works is folded to exact dimensions and categorized by various criteria. For example, the order can relate to the way we layer the clothing we wear or the clothing can be sorted by color, gender or demographic. sculptural components are sometimes connected together with shirt sleeves, pant legs and belts to form bridge-like appendages.
For me, the process of folding and stacking the individual garments adds a layer of meaning to the work. When I come across a dress with a hand-sewn repair, or a coat with a name written inside the collar, the work starts to feel like a collective portrait. As the layers of clothing accumulate, the individual garments are compressed into a single mass, a symbolic gesture that explores the conflicted space between society and the individual.
Derick Melander Flesh of My Flesh 2008 fabric 2′ x 2′ x 10′ (photo cortasy of the artist)
This huge piece was created especially for the Richmond’s ADA Gallery and it will be exhibited as a Special Project at SCOPE from December 3rd through the 7th. The name of this piece is from one of the tee shirts in the middle of the pile that has this sentence printed on it.
The way this piece was named is in my eyes somewhat magical - or maybe that is not the right word at all.
The fact that he carefully folds each piece of clothing, noticing its color, texture, tag, decoration, whether it has been mended or not - really makes him intimate in a way with each and every person who wore one of these clothes - he is taking there passed, folding it up, and storing it with the appropriate respect, and then turning it into something so completely different than it ever was before.
Tara Donovan is now showing her mid career retrospective (so to speak) at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Although quite young, 38 years old, she has accomplished a lot in her career, which began at the end of the 80’s and really took of in 2003 with her first solo show in New York. This year she won the very prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. She has an interesting an unique way of approaching form and a very unique way of picking her media for each piece. she will only use one kind of material for each piece, not imitating nature more like emulating it - and the natural system of growth.
This piece is made out of rolls of adding machine paper. I love the topographic feel of this piece.
I can’t say that this is by any means one of my favorite of her works, but I do love how she created something so very unexpected and her use of the light and the natural pattern this piece creates. because this piece can’t be transported, and has to be reassembled I shudder to think what happens to the Styrofoam cups once she is done with them.
These are made out of Mylar tape with the help of hot glue and are delightfully pretty and playful.
You might not have heard about it, but in Europe there is a landscaping award called the Rosa Barba award. This Year, the Nicolai Kulturcenter in Kolding, Denmark, won first place for the renovation of their back yard, so to speak, designed by Kristine Jensen. (It seems to me more like an alley) I know that it is not strictly sculpture but I was very impressed with it and thought I would share.
One of the site’s other signature element is the graphic pattern, rendered on the ground out of white thermoplastic.
The other signature would be this stage and wall, which I completely fell in love with.
OK. I know this isn’t completely on topic but I was really happy to get this link and to read about Obamas Platform in support of the Arts. It is only 2 pages long and every word is like music in my ears. I thought I would be another person to post this and thus give even more people a chance to read it. I know that what a politician says during election is not nessicarily what is going to happen once elected - and this is on of the greatest downfalls of the democratic system, but we need to make sure that we hold them to this. Not just as artists, but as parents. (The paragraphs about education were the ones that I found most important here, buy the way)
BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN: CHAMPIONS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE Our nation’s creativity has filled the world’s libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books - Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression.
A PLATFORM IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS Reinvest in Arts Education: To remain competitive in the global economy, America needs to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great. To do so, we must nourish our children’s creative skills. In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education. Unfortunately, many school districts are cutting instructional time for art and music education. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that the arts should be a central part of effective teaching and learning. The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts recently said “The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society.” To support greater arts education, Obama will:
* Expand Public/Private Partnerships Between Schools and Arts Organizations: Barack Obama and Joe Biden will increase resources for the U.S. Department of Education’s Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination Grants, which develop public/private partnerships between schools and arts organizations. They will also engage the foundation and corporate community to increase support for public/private partnerships.
* Create an Artist Corps: Barack Obama and Joe Biden support the creation of an “Artists Corps” of young artists trained to work in low-income schools and their communities. Studies in Chicago have demonstrated that test scores improved faster for students enrolled in low-income schools that link arts across the curriculum than scores for students in schools lacking such programs.
*Publicly Champion the Importance of Arts Education: As president, Barack Obama will use the bully pulpit and the example he will set in the White House to promote the importance of arts and arts education in America. Not only is arts education indispensable for success in a rapidly changing, high skill, information economy, but studies show that arts education raises test scores in other subject areas as well. Support Increased Funding for the NEA: Over the last 15 years, government funding for the National Endowment for the Arts has been slashed from $175 million annually in 1992 to $125 million today. Barack Obama and Joe Biden support increased funding for the NEA, the support of which enriches schools and neighborhoods all across the nation and helps to promote the economic development of countless communities.
Promote Cultural Diplomacy: American artists, performers and thinkers - representing our values and ideals - can inspire people both at home and all over the world. Through efforts like that of the United States Information Agency, America’s cultural leaders were deployed around the world during the Cold War as artistic ambassadors and helped win the war of ideas by demonstrating to the world the promise of America. Artists can be utilized again to help us win the war of ideas against Islamic extremism. Unfortunately, our resources for cultural diplomacy are at their lowest level in a decade. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will work to reverse this trend and improve and expand public-private partnerships to expand cultural and arts exchanges throughout the world.
Attract Foreign Talent: The flipside to promoting American arts and culture abroad is welcoming members of the foreign arts community to America. Opening America’s doors to students and professional artists provides the kind of two-way cultural understanding that can break down the barriers that feed hatred and fear. As America tightened visa restrictions after 9/11, the world’s most talented students and artists, who used to come here, went elsewhere. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will streamline the visa process to return America to its rightful place as the world’s top destination for artists and art students.
Provide Health Care to Artists: Finding affordable health coverage has often been one of the most vexing obstacles for artists and those in the creative community. Since many artists work independently or have nontraditional employment relationships, employer-based coverage is unavailable and individual policies are financially out of reach. The Obama-Biden plan will provide all Americans with quality, affordable health care. Their plan includes the creation of a new public program that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. Their plan also creates a National Health Insurance Exchange to reform the private insurance market and allow Americans to enroll in participating private plans, which would have to provide comprehensive benefits, issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums. For those who still cannot afford coverage, the government will provide a subsidy. His health plan will lower costs for the typical American family by up to $2,500 per year.
Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists: Barack Obama supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act, introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow artists to deduct the fair market value of their work, rather than just the costs of the materials, when they make charitable contributions.
