New show at the Guggenhiem

‘theanyspacewhatever’ at the Guggenheim

The NY times has the images and review in it's arts section today. The author entitles the article "Museum as a Romantic Comedy." I find it fitting. It's kind of like "Friends". All of the pieces work well together but none could survive as their own spin-off. Sculpture, Installation work and things of that nature are not my favorite types of art. One of the works is a room with bean bag seats where the artist has videos that were previously banned in the US playing. Interesting thought, but I don't even really sit down at watch TV at home. This type of work to me just seems absent of any sort of craft on the part of the artist. Like I said, this type of work is just not my thing. I do have to admit a particular love though for the work by Maurizio Cattelan It is a large, full-color version of Disney’s beloved Pinocchio floating face down in the Guggenheim’s elliptical pool. For Halloween I wanted to be a dead fairy tale. Perhaps Snow White with a noose around her neck. I really want to explore this idea in some upcoming work. How fairytales no longer exist in our society, the kinds of effects they have had, and the kinds of effects the lack of them will have. Back to the exhibit and it's goal of relational asthetics. Roberta Smith writes "The goal of “relational aesthetics” is less to overthrow the museum than to turn it upside down, wreaking temporary havoc with its conventions and the visitor’s expectations of awe-inspiring objects by revered masters. The larger point is to resensitize people to their everyday surroundings and, moreover, to one another in a time when so much — technology, stress, shopping — conspires against human connection." It's very much conceptual. Concepts can be cool, I'm just more of a concrete kind of girl. Read the article, check out the slides. It might not be worth the trip but it is always fun to see what people are doing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/arts/design/31gugg.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Mind your manners

When we first started our social design class one of the social issues we talked about was manners. How people treat other people seems to be a deteriorating courtesy. Check this out http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/cityarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=11520000 an article today on MSN entitled "Mind Your Manners … Your Waiter is Watching
Servers dish about discourteous customers -- and how they take their revenge." Being in the service industry myself for over a decade now how we treat those around us is one of my pet peeves. I am not your dog, do not snap, whistle, or yell for me. Just because I choose a position of service, because I actually at times enjoy it does not make you better than me. That attitude of entitlement is infuriating! I'm working on my second college degree so don't assume that I can't or am too stupid to have a better job. Often I do my job knowing there will not be an adequate tip at the end of my duties. Tipping is not a city in China. You don't work for free why should I have to just because you have the option? If you don't have money to tip, don't go out. We do watch people like hawks and are keen observers of human behaviour. You learn to do this to make the best out of a situation. The more enjoyable you make someones experience the more money you earn. In a way it's like being an actress and playing the role the customer wants. I will even pretend I like you hitting on me, but don't be fooled, it's my job. Do we really take revenge? In subtle ways, sure. I can only recall one well deserved instance of food modification though. The moral of the story is be nice to people around you. Food service errors can come from several different points of ordering through preparation so be patient and I will be happy to help you. The point is to treat your server or bartender the way you would want to be treated. Attitude? Check it at the door.

Check it out

www.craftser.org


Fun, funky and original stuff

the vessel

I have been working on my vessel for jewelry project 2. I don't know if the liqid light process is going to be able to come in to play like I want it to. So I have been thinking about other ways to incorporate the image of Groton into my project. I used a sand, rock and shell mix I have from the shore of Groton and pressed into the outer layers of bronze. I have die formed those outer layers. They are turning out well. I am now debating about what to do on the inside. I have a design i will pierce on the front of the outer shell. Yet i still want to be able to incorporate a piece of Groton on the inside. I am thinking about using a small contact print suspended in an epoxy or resin perhaps on the inside. I also am considering the possibility of incorporating one or two of the small shells I have within the internal framing. I really like the image more. Off to more research I go to see what works best.

The countdown begins

One week until the presidential election. The post today has several articles realting to the election. One on McCain slinging mud at Obama's camp trying to call him unqualified once again. They try to serve fear to the public about the possibility of having Democratic houses and a Democratic president. I am non-partisian but I don't see how that is scary after seeing what damage a republican president has already done. Another article debated whether or not McCain made the wrong choice having Palin as a running mate. Especially on the tail of the news of the money spent to upgrade her image and wardrobe. Of course money should be spent on her wardrobe. Image is everything and people will judge on what they see. The same way they judge celebrites on the red carpet. It's the same concept. Would anybody have even noticed that expense if she were a he? I don't think any running mate McCain could have chosen would be enough in either direction. It's ninety percent about the presidential candidate. I may be wrong but we will see. Either way I am happy to say I have made up my mind. I can't wait to see what next week brings.

On a personal note

Something I heard at a funeral service today. "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well reserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming---WOW--- What a ride!

Jewelry skill set

If I had a resume these are the skills I have developed so far:

1. Sawing
2. Welding
3. Sanding
4. Filing
5. Finishing
6. Drilling
7. Piercing
8. Soldering
9. Hydrolic Die Forming
10. Internal/External Framing
11. Hinge Making (getting there)
12. Imprinting (using the rolling mill)

You could go so far as to say:
1. Brainstorming
2. Design research
3. Project Themes and Concepts
4. Sketching
5. Maquettes
6. Prototyping