Monday, March 28, 2011

Todd Peterson - Plays with Crayons

Creation Theory
Todd Peterson

Todd Peterson
Newport Mn 55055
Email:toddorsoo@comcast.net

Bio~
I have no formal training. As a young man I dabbled with art, but gave it up
completely in my late 20’s. In 2006 my granddaughters “discovered” some of my
old work while exploring my basement, and convinced me to start creating art
again. I am now on the board of directors for Altered Esthetics in N. E. Mpls and I
am the Vice President of AZ Gallery, a collective in lowertown St. Paul. I was one
of the founding members of Mill District Arts in Mpls. I owned and operated Look
Art Below Gallery in N. E. Mpls, where I enjoyed showing the work of some very
talented local artists. Unfortunately I had to close the gallery because of health
issues.

An Island of Peace

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I’m currently working on a combination of acrylic and and water soluble crayon
on wooden panels. My past work was exclusively crayon on watercolor paper. I
switched to working on wood after finding a Russian Artist on the internet that
was varnishing his work using the same CARAN d’ ACHE crayons I was using
and with some experimentation came up with a technique that allowed me to dis-
play my work without putting it behind glass (I really don’t like cleaning glass) I
also do some Found art, mostly furniture pieces.

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope
your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

I hope to make a kind of Deja Vu connection with the viewer, sort of “I knew this, and now I see it”

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Keep working, keep creating. I think Dali said something about no successful artist being a lazy artist.

Tell me about your working space and your creative process?
I have a studio in my home, but with crayons I can and do work throughout the
house sometimes, and my wife Susan graciously puts up with me. My first art
memory is of my mother on rainy days sitting my brothers and I down around the
dining room table, putting some classical music on the Hi Fi and telling us to
draw what the music made us think of, I work in a similar fashion today.

Out of the Garden

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Tina Blondell: who I was fortunate enough to have once been in the same show
with at the Soap factory www.tinablondell.com

David Ekdahl: who creates wonderful and fanciful wooden totems. I met david

Kara Hendershot: a fellow board member at Altered Esthetics and a great help at
Look Art Below who does wonderful paintings with a dream like quality to them. I
have apiece of Kara’s in my small collection. www.karahendershot.com

Todd Hollingsworth: great artist and roller derby maniac

D.C. Ice: “Sinister but Sweet” a fellow AZer and I had the Joy of showing some
of her work at Look Art Below. www.dcice.com

Gina Louise: fellow founder at Mill District and Look Art Below, crazy talented and
she builds trees! I have a Gina in my collection also

Rabi Sanfo: Metal Sculptor, friend and collaborator, hardest working artist I know.
I’m lucky enough to own a few of Rabi’s pieces, and I’m saving my pennies for
one of his bronzes www.yarbidesigns.com

Erin Sayer: owner of Cult Status Gallery in Mpls. I have one of Erin’s pieces in
my collection, and have been lucky enough to have hung work at her gallery.

Scott Seekins: Really? just google him if you don’t already know of him. Crazy talent.

Mel Tudisco: Metal Smith who’s studio “Melt Studios “ is one floor above us at
AZ, I also have one of Mel’s pieces proudly displayed in my home

These are just a few. We are blessed with many talented artists in the twin cities.

Reckless

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

Well of course we would go to Altered Esthetics and the AZ Gallery, various
artist’s studios, the Soap Factory, Cult Status, Gallery 13, I hit the museums
from time to time, but mostly we would be seeing local artists.

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist,
or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

Invitations to openings via Facebook. The Daily Planet at

Sanctuary

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
My current plan is to get to work on some furniture projects. I’ve been collecting
pieces from garage sales, junk shops and a few discarded items that I want to redesign into
functioning art furniture.

Mother's Little Helper

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Marc Lamm - Woodworking

Marc Lamm


Marc Lamm
cubsrmarc@msn.com
theartofwoodmlamm.com
MNArtist page = marclamm.com

I started building furniture and experimenting with simple but uncommon shapes in 1973. In 1996, I started putting all my efforts into furniture and other items focusing on art. My technical woodworking has been mostly influenced by Tage Frid and George Nakashima. Both have methods which contradict widely used techniques and have worked for me.

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I combine traditional woodworking standards – solid joinery, drawers that open easily, doors that fit with uniform reveals, etc. – with my artistic expression.

I am a fierce recycler and use nearly every scrap that comes from my work to make bowls, cutting boards and small art pieces. Friends bring old furniture to me or I find discarded wood. A neighbor took down an ash tree and gave me the larger sections. I estimate that 90% of my bowls and 50% of my furniture comes from recycled or found wood.

I am currently working in two areas. One is bowls. Although I’ve been turning for years, it has not been a focus of my work until recently. It’s a kick seeing what’s inside the blanks of wood. It’s a give and take between my concepts and what the wood offers. I also create turning blanks from scraps in my shop which I laminate to create specific patterns in a bowl.

Second is cabinets. Although I have been making carved cabinets for years, I recently came up with a new style which you can see in the image of the stained cherry cabinet. In the past, I carved the entire cabinet into an organic figure but this cabinet has a “traditional” shape with a frame and panel door and drawer. Only the panels are carved. By the way, this cabinet was made entirely from recycled wood.


"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

The experience of hearing or seeing art is personal. No person, including the artist, can dictate what a person takes from a piece. Of course, Guernica makes a statement but the feeling a person takes from it varies with each person. That is the emotional aspect of art. Since I work in feelings, not concepts, people interpret my work through their own experiences and sensibilities and I never correct them.

When I designed and built the cross for the 1st Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights, I met with the building committee and listened. I asked a few questions to draw them out but mostly, I listened. My goal was to make a statement of feelings, of emotional interpretation of the sensibilities of the congregation. When I’m focused, spirit guides me - not the spirit of religion or philosophy but the spirit within me. My skills give me the language to communicate it. It’s like making a perfect throw to first base or a layup. The skills must be there but at that instant, I don’t think, it comes from within me.




What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Work hard, do a lot, pay attention. Accept my imperfections. If I don’t like or believe in a piece, set it aside or throw it away.


Tell me about your work space and your creative process.
My shop is as organized as I can make it. It’s a battle and I do my best. I’ve always been good at geometry so I rarely make drawings. I see it all except the carving. I have a general idea what I’ll do but the details come later.
I have to say that sometimes, I do plan a piece. If my design is based on laminations or bends then of course, I have to plan the process which is an intellectual and engineering process.


Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

I don’t know how Kyle Fokken (www.kylefokken.com) comes up with his zany ideas. You have to know him to understand that. Kat Corrigan is great. I watched her working and her eye is remarkable http://www.katcorrigan.com/iWeb/katcorrigan.com/Welcome.html

I’m lousy with names but I’ve seen some fabulous stuff around. I bought a tiny little painting from a guy during the St. Paul Art Crawl – three inches square – and it’s absolutely stunning. Four years and it’s still one of my favorites in the house.


If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
There are so many great galleries in the area, not the ones in downtown, but in the NE art district and in St. Paul. So, I have to say, there’s two general areas I love, the NE Art District and the St. Paul art district. That said, there are hundreds of artists all over the area doing great work.

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

I belong to NEMAA nemaa.org and MNArtist.org.


Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
Art-a-Whirl (Details) I’ll be showing all my recent work (approximately 40 pieces) at the Keg House.

Carved Door

Thursday, March 10, 2011

SpotArt Gallery Featured Interview: Brian Hart - Illustrator/Photographer


"cvbp"
Brian Hart


Featured Interview for
"Spotbreak"
March 18, 2011 - April 8, 2011
Reception 3/18 7-11pm


Brian Hart
Minneapolis, MN
Email: brianmatthewhart@gmail.com
Website: brianmhart.com
MNartist.org profile: www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=98581
Facebook page: facebook.com/brianmatthewhart


Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
i have drawn since i was a baby. i've kept a sketchbook since i was 8. drawing has always been an extremely important part of my life.

i have been exploring the technique of making drawings with lights and a camera since late 2005. [dark environment + long exposure + lights]

most recently, i've been working at combining my interest in composite images with this light drawing technique. in some ways, this isn't completely different from past projects - i've worked with composite images before and i've worked with light drawings before, but have found that combining the two techniques has given me greater ability to create more highly detailed light drawings - which has been a constant goal of mine since starting down this path 5-odd years ago.

The Great Dane Apollo

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
i don't have some grand statement to make with my work.

that being said, i hope my audience will view they're world in a slightly different way after seeing my work - or think about the medium of photography in a slightly different way - or get a rush of endorphins to their system - or start a dialogue about image or process or technique or equipment or science or breakfast ... or have any reaction at all.

i hope my audience has these reactions not because i'm trying to change the world or the worldviews they have, but because these are variations on how my work makes me feel; how it affects me - and really, i make work because i enjoy making it - and i show work in an attempt to communicate unknown/intangible/incommunicable feelings/ideas/concepts with strangers; in an attempt to make some connection with them.

what do i hope these strangers take away from my work? i hope they're able to get a glimpse of who i am as a person, maybe; how i view the world and things around me, maybe; maybe see the world fresh through my eyes? hard to say, really. i have just always felt compelled to make images. i hope my audience gets something out of them.

"art" is a dialogue and although sometimes i intentionally make images that mumble, more often than not i hope the short sentences the other ones speak are somehow decipherable—on some level.


the garden [triptych]

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
i don't know that i've ever received advice as an artist.


Tell me about your working space and your creative process?
i work out of my apartment but make images anywhere i can get a camera and some relative darkness.

my creative process is not a stagnant, still target nor do i have a well defined, step-by-step, regimented workflow - i couldn't work like that. sometimes there's a lot of planning that goes into works, sometimes just sitting down - no intentions, no planning, nothing at all in my head - is how i work.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

dana maltby - www.twincitiesbrightest.com

adam costello - www.adamcostellophotography.com

deuce seven - www.flickr.com/search/?q=deuce+seven

joe aschebrock - www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=156372

john grider / mike fitzsimmons - www.brokencrow.com

etc.


If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
I guess we'd stay around minneapolis for the most part; lyndale ave; the northeast. we'd see whatever they're showing.

"art" is [should be] all around you - don't make it more complicated than it has to be.

mcsorley's crew of 29

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

www.google.com [it's a big world with a lot of resources]

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
[group show - "spotbreak"]

spotArt gallery
1828 marshall st ne
reception: march 18th, 7-11pm
show runs from 3/18-4/8
[older work + newer work + newest work]

this is how

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
i haven't gotten there yet - i guess we'll both find out together.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Stephanie Glaros - Photographer

Angela Getting Her Hair Done
Stephanie Glaros

Stephanie Glaros
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: glarosphotos@gmail.com
Website: www.flickr.com/glarosphotos
MNartist.org profile: http://mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=180043
Blog: flyovercountry.tumblr.com

Bio:
Stephanie Glaros is an Art Director and Photographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I’m a magazine art director by day, but my first love is photography. The medium satisfies my desire to share the way I see things, and I try to present my subjects as naturally as possible. The majority of my subject matter is found spontaneously, so I carry my camera with me almost everywhere I go.

Recently, I’ve begun documenting the interesting people who I encounter in my everyday life. In the past, I’ve mostly photographed objects and places I find interesting (and I still do), but my involvement with Wing Young Huie’s photo salon propelled me into the realm of documentary photography. It’s something that has taken me completely out of my comfort zone, and has enabled me to face my fears and really stretch my artistic muscles. I live in the Warehouse District of downtown Minneapolis, where many different “types” of people intersect: 9-5 office workers, nightclubbers, sex workers, baseball tourists, homeless, and hipsters. By photographing people how and where I find them, I am attempting to share my specific viewpoint within my environment.

The project I’m currently focused on is called “The Girls Next Door” (http://jpgmag.com/stories/16143). I live next door to a strip club and across the street from Sexworld, so I encounter the girls who work there on a daily basis. As a feminist, my impression of the sex industry had changed dramatically since I began photographing and speaking to these women.

Bree Smoking

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
The statement I hope to make with “The Girls Next Door” is that just because a person takes their clothes off at work doesn’t mean they don’t deserve respect. I think feminists should empower all women to decide for themselves what choices are right for them, not just the women whose choices they agree with. Sex work has always been around, and is not going away anytime soon, so the question is, how do we deal with it as a society?

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
I had the honor of meeting the great illustrator and designer, Milton Glaser, when I was in school for graphic design. He said “Don’t be afraid to do something you’ve never done,” and it’s become my mantra. I learn more by trying new things than I do from staying where everything is safe and familiar.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process?
I live in a simple loft space with my artist husband, Corey McNally (http://www.blogger.com/www.myinvisiblefriends.com), and we are lucky to have lots of beautiful natural light. I am currently working on creating a home photo studio where I can do more formal portraiture. My creative process is simple: Get out there and shoot!

Jezebel (Orange)

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
My Minnesota photo heroes are Wing Young Huie (http://www.wingyounghuie.com/) and Alec Soth (http://www.alecsoth.com/).


If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
I find art in my everyday surroundings, particularly the urban environment. I enjoy finding beauty in unexpected places. The most decrepit and neglected spaces are usually the ones I find most compelling. So if you followed me around, you would probably think I am weird (and you’d be correct).

Jewel Putting on Mascara

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?
I’m a magazine art director by day, and I hire a lot of illustrators, so when I’m looking for artists, I go to Illustrationmundo first (http://www.illustrationmundo.com/). When I want to find great contemporary photographers, I check the blog Mull It Over (http://www.mullitover.cc/) or another one called Conscientious (www.jmcolberg.com/weblog).

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
Yes, I’m extremely excited to have had one of my photos from “The Girls Next Door” series chosen as part of MPLS Photo Center’s “Woman as Photographer: Documenting Life as a Woman” exhibit (http://www.mplsphotocenter.com/). The opening is March 11, 2011.

Zoe Waiting for Customers

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
I plan to continue expanding my “Girls Next Door” project, and build upon another project I call “Minneapolis Strangers,” where I take portraits of strangers on the street (http://jpgmag.com/stories/16323). Thanks for looking at my work!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Christopher Williams - Experimental Artist

Christopher Williams

Name: CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS
City/State: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Email: itsthesufiz@gmail.com
Website: www.christopherwilliamsart.blogspot.com
MNartist.org profile: http://mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=53443
Facebook page: Wi Ji Wa Wa

Bio~
Christopher Williams is a practicing painter, who graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art in Design with a background in animation. In addition to visual artwork, Williams is also a musician and a concept artist.


Tell me about your new work? What are you currently working on?
My newest pieces are constructed entirely from miscellaneous found objects that I assemble together. I’m also working of several new painting series.


What is art? What do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
The word ‘Art’ is an abstract philosophical construct for which there is only a sense of meaning, without any adequately concise definition. A materialist could simply define art as the application of paint to a canvass, or allude to the various other facets of art production, without acknowledging the wider implications that the word possesses, but all of which that is encompassed within the word ‘Art’ far surpasses any short written definition of it. My art is made to deliver a feeling of warmth, and colorful stimulation, which enlightens the viewer with positive sentiment.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
There is an old Iowan proverb passed down through the generations, it dates way back to the late seventies. ‘Never husk your corn in broad daylight.’ I had always interpreted it as meaning do not reveal to the public your naked seeds. Seeds, in the analogy, being ambitions; the husk being one’s intuition. Beneath all intuition is ambition, the root of our desires. I had always believed the phrase meant to say, don’t shuck through your god-given intuition to devour the meaty kernels of your ambitious intent. Later, I found out the phrase was actually a euphemism for ‘don’t masturbate in the public eye.’



Tell me about your working space and creative process?
Before I can begin doing any work, my environment must first be purged of the litter and debris scattered throughout the area. I am distracted when things are not at equilibrium, and the peace of mind, afforded me by an orderly environment, is a necessary platform for which I must establish the beginning proceedings to any task I undertake. I usually work after all urgent matters are disposed of, so as to not have my mind averted by the solicitudes of daily affairs.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Biafra Inc (http://www.flickr.com/people/biafra/)
Punk Rock Sam (can’t be found on the internet)
Ted Blount (www.myspace.com/theteepeeparty)
And artists that show at Cult Status (www.cultstatusgallery.com)

If we were to follow you around in Minnesota to see art, which places would we go? What would we see?
We would go to the secret underground tunnels and see fire jugglers; clown midgets; and a petting zoo, full of goats.

Where do you go online for good art resources?

Nationally:

Local resources:


What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Working on a tee-shirt project with stencil artist Biafra which is called BiafraCaw one of the pieces I added “Consumption" is a collaboration piece we did; a children’s illustrated story; a music video; hopefully, I’ll do a couple murals this summer.

And I got a couple shows in LA May 12th for a one night event at Club Impulse and the 2nd Street Cigar Gallery May 18th through June 18th and I think a BiafraCaw show is in the works for Cult Status in the fall.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Altered Esthetics Featured Interview - Dim Media


Dim Media


Altered Esthetics Featured Interview for the exhibit--Fanboi
Opening Reception: Friday March 4, 2011 7-10pm
Artist's discussion: Saturday March 19 from 1-3pm
Exhibit runs from 3/3/11 - 3/24/11



Dim MediaMinneapolis, MN
Email: dimmedia@gmail.com
Website: http://storyofdim.com/
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/Dim_Media
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DimMedia

Bio:
Dim Media
is a Twin Cities based multimedia collaborative. The ensemble combines the styles and talents of Charles Denton, Blaine Garrett, Ivy Sendrijas and Joe Lipscomb. Primarily painters, the group also works in illustration, animation, and writing. They publish their own zine “Coffee Crumbs”, a series of children books, paint live for local musicians, and record a podcast. Their individual styles are as diverse as the places they’ve exhibited work: local venues including galleries, coffee shops, an acupuncture clinic, downtown night clubs and salons. Presently, they are the featured artist for the March Altered Esthetics exhibit “Fanboi” and will be appearing in the local arts documentary “All Over the Walls” being released later this Spring by Blue Bridge Media.

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?Our primary focus involves using varying processes to create artistic collaborations. Through this exploration we aim to create art that is greater than the sum of each artists’ individual contributions, or at the very least, unique.

Currently we are adding more abstract paintings to our “Birthmarks” series. Achieving successful abstract work is a feat for a single artist, let alone with four other “chefs” in the “kitchen”. Through long grueling painting sessions, we continue to learn how to blend our individual styles together while discovering the strengths and weaknesses that become present.
Additionally, we are working on a series entitled “Corrosion Maintained.” This series is our exploration of the implicit nature of graffiti and the techniques and methods used to create it. For the series, we “upcycled” some hundred year old bricks from a demolished building and created miniature walls for our “canvases”. Upon these walls we layered stencils, tags, original paintings, ink, wheat pastings, and even clay.

To emulate the “powers that clean up,” we painted over our layered work with a dull grey to represent the eradication of street art. We’ll repeat this process until the series achieves the golden ration between derelict and exquisite. “Corrosion Maintained” is a departure from our traditional media and is basically a self designed crash course in street art.

Outside of painting, we have published a few children books, record a podcast, and do various comic projects. Lately, we have been working steadily on a ‘zine called “Coffee Crumbs” which is an outlet for our writing, illustration, and comics. The fifth issue will be finished shortly and contains a story that Charles wrote and Blaine illustrated.

“The Good Doctor” - Paparazzi Series

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?We want our art to be an icebreaker into a dialogue. It is inconsequential whether that dialogue is made in jest or becomes a philosophical rant. Like all good media (movies, books, music, ect.) we want to create strong impressions that seduce viewers into thought and reflection. If the viewer can walk away from our work having some sort of memorable impact, then we’ve won.


What was the best advice given to you as an artist?“If a piece of artwork turns out exactly as you envisioned it, you have not learned anything” and “Don’t learn anatomy from comic books, especially from Rob Liefeld.”


Tell me about your working space and your creative process?We thrive on over-stimulation and changing scenery. We create art in nightclubs, at the beach, in garages, basements, computer stations, and where ever we can. In a best case scenario, we’re working outside with some b-movie playing on a laptop, noise rock blasting out of another, and a BBQ commencing. We value versatility, and enjoy switching locations on a lark.

Our creative process is heavily collaborative on multiple levels. It begins with a brainstorming session, where we bounce ideas over coffee and/or beer. Lots of those ideas ripen into potential projects, so we usually work on three at a time. This helps us apply what we learn across media boundaries as well as preventing burnouts on any single project.

Next is the planning stage of the process. In order to avoid stagnation we invent unique rules for each collaboration. These rules can pertain to the order of an artist’s involvement, their specific role, or committing to a rigid color pallet. As a result of each of us have differing artistic styles, the process in which we work creates a vast range of results. Sometimes we plan on attacking paintings intuitively, whereas other times one artist will sketch out a specific composition that everyone else adds to.

After we agree on a direction, we enter the execution stage: two parts alchemy to one part anarchy. Once we start diving in, we usually deviate from the original plan and digress into improvising. Sometimes we start paintings individually and pass them off to another group member. Other times we set up multiple canvases and everyone takes turns contributing to a painting for a moment before switching to the next one. Either method can cause conflicts when one artist paints over another persons intricate contribution. Generally fist fights are prevented by keeping an ongoing dialogue, but not always. We deem our paintings done once they reach a point where adding brushstrokes no longer improves them.
“Cold Front” - Birthmarks Series

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?There are a lot of great artists in the state we greatly admire and we are fortunate to personally know a few.

Scott Stulen (http://www.scottstulen.com/) has been one of our personal mentors and we really enjoy the playfulness and humor he brings to his work.

We admire the works of Matt Wells (http://lizardmanart.com/ ) for his illustrative style and his collaborations with the from the Rogue Citizen collective.

We have worked with Jacob Alexander (http://virtualwarriorink.moonfruit.com/) numerous times and take a lot of inspiration from his eccentric abstractions and raw energy in live painting.

Outside of painting, we really like Talissa Mehringer (http://talissamehringer.com/) for her multimedia work, our former intern

Danny Levar (http://d.homes.mcad.edu/~dlevar/) for his visual story telling ability,

Martha Iserman (http://www.bigredsharks.com/ ) because we admire her working on a career in scientific illustration (and her artwork is amazing) and

Sharolyn B. Hagen (http://sbhphotography.com/) who is such a wonderful portrait photographer that we predict we’ll be seeing her work in galleries very soon.

“Corrosion Maintained 1” - Corrosion Maintained Series

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?We’d start it off with a cup of coffee at the Boiler Room before crossing the street to SSCA for a gander at an art opening with hors d'oeuvres. Next, we’d run up to Hell’s Kitchen for a round of White Russians and enjoy the numerous Ralph Steadman pieces. Then we’d trot on over to Jean Stephen Galleries and scope out the Dr. Seuss’s paintings and sculptures. After spilling a drink in honor of the late Ox-Op Gallery we would travel northeast to Uncle Franky’s for a Chicago dog and to sit next to the Wesley Willis drawing.

Next we’d meander over to Altered Esthetics, take in one of their themed gallery openings before hitting up the 331. After a couple Surly Benders we could stumble past Shuga Records and take a moment to appreciate the sprawling mural on the side of its building. Finally, we’d run to Tarnish & Gold before ending the night at Psycho Suzie’s, or if we’re feeling dangerous, Vegas Lounge for some karaoke!

If we survive this excursion, we might take a field trip to Lakeville and check out the tasteful graffiti on the out of service box cars parked off of County Road 50 or up to Franconia to see the sculpture garden (Fraconia Sculpture Park).

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?We watch a lot of jaded art documentaries on Netflix for inspiration. StumbleUpon (http://stumbleupon.com/) is a great source to find new contemporary artists worldwide. We use MPLSArt (http://www.mplsart.com/) and MNArtists (http://www.mnartists.org/) to find out about opportunities and local exhibits to check out. We can also admit to unintentionally finding inspiring images by randomly punching words into Google. Our browser bookmarks are mostly riddled with art sites we will most likely never get around to viewing again.
Coffee Crumbs 3 - Cover illustration

What can we expect to see from you in the future?2011 is a busy year for Dim Media. We will be live painting for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Gala fundraiser dinner in April.

Among numerous other shows and festivals, we are the featured artist for the March Altered Esthetics exhibition “Fanboi” which will feature a few select pieces from our “Paparazzi” series.
Our collaborative abstract series “Birthmarks” will be at the Hopkins Art Center starting in June. We are also working on finishing our graffiti series “Corrosion Maintained” and exhibiting it in the fall.

Outside of showing our paintings, we are also working on our next “Coffee Crumbs” ‘zine which we will be showcasing at ‘Zine Fest, Spring Con, and the TC Indie Xpo. We also will be revisiting some animation projects and launching a new podcast.

“Fractal Hippy” (Terence McKenna)

Dim Media
Twin Cities Collaborative Art Crew - Live Painting, Fine Art, Illustration, and more
Online: http://storyofdim.com/
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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Jessica Teckemeyer - Installation


“Reliance (sinners and saints)”, 2010
Jessica Teckemeyer

SooVac Gallery Featured Interview
"We Are Animal" - Jessica Teckemeyer
April 9, 2011 - May 22, 2011
Opening Reception: 4/9/11 6-9pm



Jessica Teckemeyer
Minneapolis, MN
Email: jessica@jteckemeyer.com

Bio~
Jessica Teckemeyer is an emerging artist living in Minneapolis, MN. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in May 2010. Her work has been exhibited in Montevideo, Uruguay; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; South Orange, NY; Cincinnati, OH; Minneapolis, MN; and Grand Forks, ND. She is a Lecturer Professor of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Teckemeyer has worked for internationally known artist Siah Armajani. In the past four years, many cultural experiences have had lasting impact on her works. In November of 2008, Teckemeyer was a visiting artist in Montevideo, Uruguay where she gave a lecture and displayed an installation. She studied in New York City with colleagues for three weeks in 2009. Later the same year, she also visited Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. The rich history of these places has made her question: what connects all humans spanning time and place?

Prior to graduate school, she worked in the sculpting, mold making, and painting departments at “Tivoli Too” a 3D design and production studio located in Mendota Heights, MN. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2004.


“Planes of Existence”, 2010

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
Through sculpture and video, my work explores the physical world including the tangible as well as the psychological. The current series is focused on the conflicted complexity of inner existence and how human behavior reflects cultural influences. Prominent influences include a society's history, religion, media, science, and mythology, which create a false sense of domination over our internal and external existence. The human condition is domesticated; we are animals. As social creatures, we combat reason versus instinct. The work embodies a symbolic language exploring themes including inner confrontation, spirituality, vulnerability/strength, and death.

Currently, I am working on a sculpture of a life-sized mountain lion clinging to the knot at the end of a rope from its teeth. The feline conveys the idea of struggle and fear through a twisted body activated by tense muscles and extended claws. The creature has human glass eyes. Many societies in North and South America have employed feline icons as metaphors to express human qualities and symbolize human relations. Continuing this lineage, this piece represents the current political and economic climates in the world. Apart from humans, large cats are the most widespread and successful land bound predators.

How is this different from past projects?
It’s a cougar rather than a wolf form.

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

I approach my work with these questions in mind:
What connects all humans spanning time and place?
What does it mean to be animal?
What does it mean not to be animal?
What is the role of monster in culture?
What roles do myth, literature, film, and media play in our subconscious?

I want to create the opportunity for conversations about perspectives on difficult issues like spirituality, death, inner confrontation, and vulnerability/strength. My thesis installation titled “Planes of Existence” is about the similarities and differences of spiritual beliefs in relation to death. Are there spiritual worlds or is death the end? I had many fascinating conversations with mentors, peers, and friends during the exhibition!

“Planes of Existence”, 2010

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Clive Murphy was a visiting artist at the University of Minnesota during my graduate years. He advised me to make several pieces to explore an idea, rather than put everything into one piece. Research can carry me away sometimes, so this has been helpful to remember.


Tell me about your work space and your creative process?
I’m interested in commonalities between cultures. My process begins with research into the marvelous and the strange from ancient mythology to monster theory. I prefer to read a book rather than a computer screen, so the library and I are well acquainted! As my idea shapes, I think about how to best convey the content… video, sculpture, or installation.

The accuracy of the anatomy is very important, so I study and research my animal subjects in person. Trips to Milwaukee and Omaha’s zoos have proven necessary when the local options do not house the creature necessary for the piece. Internet searches are also utilized. The images gathered are printed and taped to my studio wall for reference. For making the work, I rely on techniques employed by the automotive industry and prop building studios.

On mark, art critic Jerry Saltz called me “an anal-retentive warrior princess” during a studio visit! I am drawn to materials that allow the presences of my hand to be removed. For example, after sculpting the form, I skin it with a hard coat. The “skin” is then worked with a combination of power tools and by hand (filling any unwanted dents, pits, or scratches with putty). Next, the piece is coated with a scratch-filling primer and sanded entirely by hand for surface refinement. The former step is repeated. Finally, the piece is painted.

My studio space is in St. Louis Park.

“Portal”, 2010
Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
There are so many talented artists in Minnesota. For the sake of keeping this answer brief, I am going to list a few other emerging artists using animal imagery to express content.
Areca Roehttp://www.arecaroe.com/
Mel Griffin - www.melgriffin.com
Erin Hernsberger - http://www.erinhernsberger.com/
Cheryl Wilgren Clyne - http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=11140

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
Over a weekend, we would visit the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art (MAEP space is a must!), Soo Visual Art Center, Franklin Art Works, the Soap Factory, and Burnett Gallery. I prefer to see a variety of media and artists. Our time together would also include eating at great restaurants to discuss the exhibitions! Art, food, and conversation… what more could you want?!


Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?
I read the Arts section of The New York Times , and Flavorpill.com. Flavorpill focuses on cultural happenings in NYC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and London.



“Between Life and Death”, 2009

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
Join me for the exhibition titledWe Are Animalopening at the Soo Visual Art Center in Minneapolis on April 9th, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm. The show is open until May 22nd. Visit http://www.soovac.org/ for more details. Please also visit http://www.jteckemeyer.com/ to see more images, information, and upcoming events. Thanks!