2.27.2011

The Audubon Center

My mom and little sister (Katelyn) came to visit me today!!! It was a lot of fun to have family time (even though we were missing my dad and other two sisters). We had a fabulous lunch at Beans and Barely (highly recommended), and came back to my apartment afterward. The entire day was filled with great discussions and lots of laughter! We also talked a bit about this project. Apparently, my Grandma Arlene (mom's mom) loves owls! Not sure how I didn't know/remember that, but definitely boosted my energy and interest even more. Before heading back to Madison, my mom and Katelyn decided to journey with me to the Audubon Center!

Not surprisingly, there were many similarities in the Audubon Center's structure to that of the Urban Ecology Center. The biggest difference was the size = Audubon Center was very large, relatively speaking. I also enjoyed the space and location; the Center is located in north Milwaukee. Though I enjoyed the 20 minute trip, I began questioning how others would respond to my exhibition being so "far away." I feel that proximity is something to take into consideration when deciding where to display my work; the ultimate goal is to reach lots of different people.

The only down-side to my visit was arriving at 5pm, which is when the Center closes. As a result, I was unable to get a good feel/look at the inside. My mom and I decided to be "creepers" and peek in the windows anyway. Again, very similar to the Urban Ecology Center, with open beams and wooden lodge feel; I imagine the smell to be that of fresh timber, too.  That reminds me, I received two books from Brian in Friday's mail: Cradle to Cradle (book on CD), and A Splintered History of Wood. Both seem very interesting, and very much inspirational for my project. I have almost finished listening to Cradle to Cradle: a book about living in an ever-changing world, topics of environment, production and consuming goods, also focuses on how to reuse and recycle materials, written by an architect. Wonderful book! Already supporting my idea of using all recycled materials, as well as producing my own hand-made papers.

This week I will be creating concrete mock-ups of the space I am hoping to create. Stay tuned!



2.25.2011

I have been making a few giant leeps forward...

in conceptualizing my work. I've realized that it would be hugely hypocritical to create this exhibition out of materials that cause an adverse effect on the Northern Spotted Owl. In other words, why would I use a brand new sheet of arches paper when it is an indirect product of logging? Logging is considered, by many, to be the number one threat of the Northern Spotted Owl. Using arches paper would continue to support logging, while I am attempting to advocate for the protection of the owl and its habitat.

Have you ever heard the expression "like a rubber-band"? The analogy goes something like this...I started out in my comfort zone. Over time, I began to stretch my ideas to the absolute limits, almost to the point when my original idea would be broken/lost. This expansion helped me reason with myself and gain more insight into all possibilities. For instance, I have never composed an installation. This is not to say that I am incapable, or inadequate. Instead, I could adapt and scale back the idea of an installation. My intentions and concepts for a cause and effect series were clearly slipping away from me a week ago. I decided to crack down on my brainstorming sessions and research, through which I noticed my original message and goals heavily improved upon; they were bouncing back with tons of added insight,  like a rubber-band. My rubber-band is now back to a comfortable position, and yet, maintains a little extra stretch to account for my evolutions.

Brian was an amazing help with verbalizing my message. He pushed me out of my comfort zone, and we created these:

- Message: "Every decision has an effect, it's time we started think about ours"
- Encourage more self-examination and thoughtful considerations of the everyday decisions we make.
- Explain this complex but significant process through the plight of the Northern Spotted Owl. An animal caught between the demands of a growing world, and the resources on which we rely.
- How then, can we re-evaluate our actions, to consider their "downstream" effects, and act accordingly?
- We all contribute to the stream, but it is hard to see the combined impact of our contributions.

Here are some of the details you can expect from my series:

- ALL recycled materials
- Elements of installation work, including sound...Includes: 2D, 3D, and 4D (mainly sound)
- Sculptural collages made up of every-day objects: pencils, newspaper, magazines, clothes, wood, etc.
- Sound, and perhaps suggestions of animation
- Hand-made paper
- Letter-pressed text

Below is a rough illustration to give you a visual of the space I am thinking of constructing:


2.24.2011

This YouTube Clip Is...

A great 3 minute clip discussing a few of the threats facing the Northern Spotted Owl...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJL7XD5DU7A

The land manager interviewed makes some good points, and the filming of the bird will serve as great research for my interpretation of how the owl moves, as well as its characteristics.

2.23.2011

Here Comes the ART!!!

Ready or not, let's start creating!!! As of right now, I have officially decided to focus on the Northern Spotted Owl AND the Forest/habitat. In order to jump-start my ideas for display, materials, and even type of books that will be created, I decided to begin sketching the owls. It worked! I am now swimming in concepts and have started combining materials, scenery, and textures in my mind...MORE sketches to come!


Who Knew?

This is a great illustration of endangered sea life...

http://whoknew.news.yahoo.com/?nc?vid=24237146

Enjoy!

2.22.2011

These Are Interesting Too...

I meant to add these readings to my previous post...

http://www.propublica.org/article/feds-warn-residents-near-wyoming-gas-drilling-sites-not-to-drink-their-wate

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110220/ap_on_bi_ge/us_rare_earths_rush

Has it really come to this?...

2.21.2011

Suggested Reading Material...

This is in response to conversations had yesterday at the letter-press cookie event...


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/science/earth/17extreme.html?_r=3&hp

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110220/ts_afp/scienceuspopulationfood

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_alaska_climate


Great reading material that is definitely worth your time and consideration...

So Much Excitement = Yesterday

Yesterday was amazing for five reasons: baking, cookie books, lemon, letter-pressing, and great friends! Making letter-pressed cookie books together was a wonderful way to jump-start my creativity again...THIS is why I am excited to create more artist's books!!!


Photo Credit: James Doppelt

It is no secret that I am having a difficult time nailing down the type of time-based, book-making experience I wish to bestow upon my audience. True, I am leaning toward more of an installation piece. However, it is difficult to abandon the idea of a broadside. What about combining the two? Once again I am making this process more difficult than it needs to be...sketches coming soon!

Until then, here are the mock-ups that illustrate my sketches previously posted:





2.18.2011

For Your Information...

AND consideration...This is a very interesting article...Coincides with my "relating back to humans" idea with the cause and effect of endangered species...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/science/earth/17extreme.html?_r=2&hp

The Urban Ecology Center

It was a beautiful day here in Milwaukee! = 43 degrees, BRIGHT sunshine, nothing but blue skies, and windy...No doubt, I picked a great day to walk 3.5 miles to the Urban Ecology Center (UEC).

The UEC is one of the places I am considering for the exhibition of my endangered species show. Although winter is coming to an end - everything is brown and asleep/hibernating - I can see how green, lush, and wonderful the area is in spring, summer, and fall. When I walked into the building, I immediately attached myself...There is a strong smell of wood, probably as a result of the cabin/lodge scene. There is even a fireplace with an open balcony overlooking it all the way around! I started out taking a look at all the animals "around" Wisconsin. There were a couple of turtles, some fish, salamander, and some snakes. The room had TINY chairs, and looked as though a group of elementary school students had just come to visit. Overall, I had an exciting sense of education and inspiration in this smaller than expected building.

This is the view of the second floor, from the stairwell door. I can't wait until the weather is nice, and the green roof is thriving!

I am happy with how the visit to my first potential exhibition space went. However, should I choose the UEC, I am not so sure that an installation would be the way to go; that is not necessarily a bad thing. In addition, I spoke to the receptionist. She informed me that in order for artists to use the space as a gallery, we must first submit our portfolio to the portfolio committee. There will not be another portfolio review until summer = Perhaps my show will take place late summer/fall? Only time will tell.

2.16.2011

Cause and Effect Chart...

Click on the image to enlarge it. This chart illustrates two of the subjects I am focusing on with my project: the Northern Spotted Owl and the Northwestern Forest.

2.10.2011

Collage


Having thoughts...Not done...Not so obvious?...Hmmmmmmmm...

2.09.2011

What about the audience?...

It goes without saying that choosing an audience is a very difficult decision! After much thought and consideration, I have finally established the focus for my work...my exhibition will be geared toward kids, age 15 - 21. Obviously age range is NOT going to be limited, and ALL ages will be thought about in my process. The ages I have chosen are merely the focus group. Why 15 - 21?

What is the biggest question you could ever ask a High School/College student? The answer = what do you want to do when you grow up?

True, I would like there to be educational aspects to my work. However, I am not looking to create a "classroom" with this series. To be honest, I am looking to offer an entertaining, interactive, and inspirational experience to students. It is with these aspects that the education will come. And what better age to educate and motivate students than at a time when he/she is looking to make one of the biggest decisions of his/her life!

2.07.2011

Came across an interesting idea today...

Apparently there is an Endangered Species Day!!! This year's celebration will be on May 20, 2011.

Here is the plan...My exhibition will be on May 20, 2011, and I will be registering through the following website...

http://www.stopextinction.org/esd.html

I'm not sure how many Milwaukee participants there will be, but my hope is to find others, make contact with them, and perhaps collaborate with space. We shall see!

2.04.2011

In case you missed this on Yahoo's front page...

Click on the link if you care about Polar Bears:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110201/ts_yblog_thelookout/polar-bear-swims-for-9-days-426-miles-to-find-ice-for-refuge

And, just in case you were interested in Sea Turtles:

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/07/14/science/earth/1247468438688/whats-killing-the-sea-turtles-.html

Or maybe Tigers are your thing?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/science/earth/22tiger.html?_r=1&ref=endangeredandextinctspecies

Thoughts


2.01.2011

There is a lot of truth in the idea that two heads are better than one.

In the case of my project, three heads are responsible for its recent revelation. Brian Bates, my significant other, and Tracy Choomack were a huge help in yet another brainstorming session over the weekend. Now, before I get into how our conversation went, I have a confession to make: I have been struggling a bit with how to write these posts. Ultimately, I aim to fully illustrate my process to the masses. In order to do this effectively, I will be posting on this blog with a multitude of writing styles. With that said, I would like to offer this post as a commentary of Brian, Tracy, and my conversation...After I explained how Tracy and my brainstorming session went the other night, Brian had a few thoughts to add. Below are the notes I took while Brian was talking:

- how is the individual (a/the) cause(ing) or effect(ing) of something bigger than themselves

- linear? or web-like?

- what do I want to say with this project?


- who is the audience? how many levels of meaning? 

- someone that doesn't know anything vs. someone that knows everything

- the exhibit is about the experience, and is meant to convey my advocacy for endangered/threatened animals

- three choices when you walk in (3 diff animals), follow their stories (the numbers), they all end up in the same place (conceptually?), as with cause and effect everything you do has a choice (this is what's happening, but this is the result of billions of little decisions/day that kill that polar bear), your choices determine whether or not they have a choice (you have a choice, they don't), what separates us from these animals is that we have the choice, they don't, what path do you want, the little things make the big things

- what effect do you want to be the cause of?

- connect dots to other things, see in a different way, series of relationships (take out one, and the other 4 change), multi-dimensionality

- pika (small squirrel), white-tailed ptarmigan, gray wolf (unexpected), pizzlie bears, asian carp (invasive species)

- audience will collect things along the way (instead of the plastic bottle), numbers come together?, things/icons = daily encounters, decisions

- message = we are so "separated" from some of the most endangered/threatened animals  in the world...however, even the little decisions we make on the day-to-day play a role in their lives

Sketches