Saturday, November 28, 2009

Lauren Kalman













Lauren Kalman is an odd little bird. She creates art for the body by applying bejeweled accupuncture needles to her skin to look like dazzling rashes, blemishes or other skin conditions. Using her own body as her primary focal point, the work has an element of performance. The photographic record of the work is only for the viewer that is unable to see it in person- it is intended to be seen on the body. Now, I'm pretty sure accupuncture is supposed to be painless, but if you look close in some of the photographs you can see the redness and irritation surrounding the jewelry.

Although I'm still a little confused as to why anyone would want to recreate such conditions as Herpes or Syphilis, I'm intrigued by Kalman's juxtaposition of the beautiful and the unsightly. She refers to her work as "transgressions of the body." I like the fact that she's bedazzling things that we would normally think of as disgusting and try to cover up. And in doing this, she's calling into question both why we have a natural aversion to these things, and why making them sparkly makes them more beautiful.


One writer Gabriel Craig stated that " By beginning with actual bodily experience and moving back to the self-image, Kalman places the primary importance on the body, thereby challenging how we relate to our bodies in an image-dominated culture." I'm intrigued by this reverse process of dealing with jewelry and bodily adornment.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

everyday junk: tara donovan.

Tara Donovan is a New York-based artist who creates intricate, large-scale, installation sculptures out of everyday materials (styrofoam cups, scotch tape, drinking straws, etc...).


One thing that I find extremely fascinating about Donovan's work is that she chooses her materials before she decides what can be done with them. I think that working in this order, the materials are the most important part of the work because they define the direction that the work will ultimately go in. I'm also attracted to her seemingly meaningless materials- things that you can see everywhere, all the time. I like the idea of something simple and practical morphing into something complex and delicate.


Untitled, Styrofoam Cups & Hot Glue ( 6'x20'x19'2")
"It's not like I'm trying to simulate nature. It's more of a mimicking of the way of nature, the way things
actually grow."
-Tara Donovan

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

nel linssen: paper jewelry

Nel Linssen was in the book that Jen was reading in class today (thanks Jen!!). She is a Dutch born artist who creates very intricately designed bracelets and necklaces out of folded paper. What I enjoy most about the work is that it takes something incredibly common place like paper and turns it into something to be admired (not to say that paper itself isn't fantastic but, you know what I mean).

The Scottish Gallery wrote that "the relationship between wearer and viewer is the essence of Linssen's jewelry." This statement really catches my attention because I think that it is a relationship that I haven't figured out yet in relation to both the jewelry that I wear and the jewelry that I would like to make. I also like that the work is made to highlight the body and change appearance with light and movement.

Another writing described her work as "simultaneously minimalist and complex." I'm curious about things that can be two things at once.



Paper & Acrylic Bangles


Long Yellow Necklace





Monday, November 2, 2009

rhinestone annie.



"A labor of love is always a pleasure to see but a passion, well that can and often does leave us breathless."

Anne Collens is an artist from British Columbia who essentially turns ordinary looking objects into spectacular creations using collected bits of jewels, beads, etc. What makes the work even more fascinating is that the pieces are custom fitted to follow the grooves and curves of the objects. Collens worked in theater until the 1960s. When she left, she decided to make an "exotic skin" for her mannequin. This work alone took over 1,000 hours to complete!


Collens' work appeals to my tendency to collect odds and ends of various types and also to my interest in decorating things. I'm captivated by the idea of creating these incredible works by simply putting something over top of what is already there.







Unfortunately, this is where the trail ends. Her name doens't turn up in a search engine other than in the article that I read. But the article did mention the mannequin appearing on television and being on display in a museum so I guess I'll just have to keep looking!

I think I may have found my new idol.