LIFE AND ART, LATELY SEEN IN THE BIG EASY

BLOGPOST FOR MONDAY, APRIL 5, PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, LATE

Late. Late. Late. Just like the rabbit, only he wasn’t hurrying up (or down) Bourbon St. and its environs over the weekend. At least I don’t think so; I didn’t see him. I was busy eating and sightseeing and generally enjoying the sights. Believe me, there are sights in the Big Easy!

In addition to those sights, I visited the World War II museum, which is extensive. I did not visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, and I confess to feeling a little guilty about that. I have been to New Orleans several times, and not once have I ventured to the museum. I promise, I swear, I will get there.

I did see a beautiful piece of public art, one that especially struck me. Located near the aquarium and the river, it was created by an Israeli artist and was a memorial to the Holocaust. Consisting of narrow vertical plexiglass panels lined up like dominoes, it is brilliantly colored. As you walk around the piece the colors change into designs reminiscent of that tragic time: the Star of David, twin menorahs, symbols and shapes that speak to a world turned upside down. It was stunning and very moving.

I saw lots of other art (just not in the museum…) as well as I walked the streets of the French Quarter and elsewhere. We strolled in and out of galleries and viewed lots and lots of street art. And as one always does in NOLA, ate tremendous food!

These experiences add richness to my life and I am sure will slip into future art pieces as well, somehow. We will see! 

INTERACTION IS THE ART

Yesterday I read in the Dayton Daily News about the newest special exhibition at the Dayton Art Institute. The show is titled “Into the Ether: Contemporary Light Artists” and is the first of five exhibitions, each one focusing on one of the elements (air, earth, fire, water, and in this case, ether).

What struck me was a comment made by one of the artists, Daniel Rozin, who teaches at New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts. Referring to his work as a light artist, he commented: “It’s important to understand that the art is not necessarily the object. The art is the moment of the interaction.”

While Rozin goes on to say that this is unique to interactive art and not to painting, and by extension other forms of 2D art, I am not sure I agree.

My collages are art, of course, just as my painter friends’ paintings are art. However, they also exist in the dimension of experience, specifically, the viewer’s experience or interaction with the piece of art, no matter the media. Is not that communication also part of the art? It’s something to ponder. 

 Light and Life, 9"w by 12"h

Back to the Blog-o-Sphere

I admit I have taken an extended vacation from my blog and of course, I never intended to be gone for such a long time. I have yet to commit fully to the discipline of blogging; something I definitely must work on! Even if no one is reading me it’s good practice to write down my thoughts.

Because I am always leaning towards the studio and work I intend to keep posts short. There is so much to read on the web these days I think it can tire one’s eyes, and one’s patience.

So, I am back. Just a couple of quick notes for today. I hung one of my big projects a week ago Sunday, one I have been working on for several months. It is a 12 foot long, 6 panel collage on canvas (or papier colle on canvas) which is now hanging in the new Northwest branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Find it in the adult reading room!

My piece, titled Spaces between Stones, is hanging proudly along with work by Francis Schanberger, Amy Anderson, and Virginia Kistler. The awesome Andy Snow has photographed all the pieces, and you can see them on Andy’s Facebook page as well as on mine. There will be a grand opening celebration of the new library branch on Saturday, April 22 from 1:30 t0 5:30 pm with the official public opening on April 23. Check Dayton Metro Library for more: http://www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/locations/northwest.

On another note, I just delivered work this morning to Premier Health; they are hosting a show of local art until April 1. Enter at Second and Main!

CHANNELING REMBRANDT

So I am sitting here in my Rembrandt t-shirt (purchased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art some years ago) and thinking about my most recent trip where I got to “hang” with Rembrandt at his home in Amsterdam…

Rembrandt lived in this house for almost 20 years. It was in this house that he painted The Night Watch.

What an incredible experience to walk into his printmaking studio, arranged as though he were still hard at work and then to walk up to the third floor where he kept his painting studio. How thrilling to imagine the great artist receiving guests and patrons in his first floor entry. What fun it was to examine his large collection of artifacts in his “curiosity” room.

I was transported to Amsterdam in the 17^th century in the “company” of one of art history’s greatest. 

Belgium, Art, Medieval Writers, Marsha and the Internet

Belgium, Netherlands, Christine de Pizan, New friends, and Art, art, art! And the Internet, did I mention the Internet?

Wow, what a summer I have had! So many new experiences, so many new friends from all over the world, and world class museums! Where do I start? In small bites I think.

To begin, about two years ago, a medieval scholar from Chicago, Julia Nephew, discovered my artwork on the internet. She was writing an article on the 15^th century writer Christine de Pizan for an academic journal. I just happened to have used Christine in a series of collages I created between 2003 and 2007.

Julia asked permission to use some of my images in her article. We negotiated a contract and some months later a book arrived from Florence, Italy containing Julia’s article and my images. Because of this I was invited to speak at the North American Conference of Medieval Scholars at Western Michigan University. Because of that, Julia and I were invited to co-present at the International Colloquium Christine de Pizan in Belgium!

So, off I go to Belgium, by way of the Netherlands. I will expand on that in a future post, but this time I want to give a shout out to the organizers of the conference, Oliver and Tanya of the Catholic University Louvain la Neuve in Belgium. They were the ultimate hosts! 

Olivier and Tanya were each given framed prints of the Christine de Pizan collages that were part of my series. This was a "Thank You" from all the presenters. 

AN INVITATION FOR SUNDAY, MAY 3

THIS IS AN INVITATION TO JOIN ME IN A COLLAGE CREATIVITY SESSION, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED, ON SUNDAY, MAY 3 FROM 1 - 3 PM AT PEACE ON FIFTH, 234 South Dutoit St, (behind Stivers). I will facilitate your collage experience. All supplies are provided, plus some delicious eats! Yum. 

The cost is $25, which is a real bargain for a three hour session with food and supplies.  Think of me as your creative spirit guide and go to Giftstudio.eventbrite.com to sign up. I would LOVE to see you there!

AND, I please feel free to forward this your friends, family and any other interested parties. The more the merrier!

I so hope to see you there!

MONTGOMERY COUNTY WORKS FOR ARTISTS!

One of my favorite art collectors approached me a couple of weeks ago and asked me: “Do you know that Montgomery County’s Office of Community and Economic Development has a special section for artists?  He showed me on his phone and by gosh, there it was!

Montgomery County, Ohio for many years has been a leader in supporting the arts, providing grants for artists in many disciplines. Due to budget issues, these grants are on hiatus, but this new app could be very helpful.

Take a look: http://www.businessfirstdaytonregion.com/. Go to Tools For Your Business-top left, then select on bottom right "See more" and you will see The Business of Art. 

Take a look, because, as my husband noted in this image he sent to me: 

Yes it is!