The manual is not exactly new but certainly not old, and I need to remind myself of it often. I remember working on a manual for living: a ten page guide in the beginning of the year, in the coolness of January and February. I remember the thrill of it, going back in time and as well as into uncharted territory. I remember the pace and the excitement as I watched it lead to many more paintings, the new white series. I remember feeling satisfied.
This week in the studio, has been more administrative rather than creative. Getting ready for the next exhibition, working out the upcoming schedule for the underground studios for next year, cleaning my studio. Nuts and bolts operational things, but at the same time I have looked at art, read about art, talked to artists near and far, I have held and sorted through my materials. It has not been a complete loss. I can not paint every week the way I would like. When I run my hands over my paints, when I sort through my supplies, I do smile. These are my tools, these are the materials I know; my things. These things help me communicate. These things communicate with me.
Here again is a manual for living: a ten page guide, but here also are the words that go with it...
The three paintings I have been working on since the beginning of June finally decided to come into being. I managed to have a productive week in the studio! First, I spent a lot of time just looking at the works that had been alluding me and thinking about them. I also discussed them in fits and starts with my peers. I then spent time in my studio with my doubts about my art, the art world, people in general, you know just working myself into a frenzy and then suddenly they all came together! I feel a great sense of relief and momentary hope. I think one work may have a little bit further to go, but for now I am holding back and calling it done.
Thanks for checking in here and being an encouraging voice when I was at the wall wondering what to do next. Thanks also for your support and lovely comments about the institute du loop exhibition.
Without further ado, here are the newest members of the white series. These are just studio snap shots, but they give you an idea...
And for those interested: this song was on repeat and loud on my headphones while it all came together in the studio.
And of course, I am still working on behalf of the institute du loop. I so enjoy being surrounded by the artist's words, sounds and photographs, they come together so well to engulf me and make for a lovely place to hide while I wait for paint to dry.
institute du loop: a place to drown on display through July 31. Hive gallery Fayetteville Underground gallery hours W-F 12-7 and Saturday 10-5
Photographs are $30 per image (open edition) and they are also priced by the wall collection. There is a visual journal with images and words by the artist for $ 15.00, a limited edition exhibition poster for $25.00 and the soundtrack composed by the artist is available for $10.00. Near or far, please contact me if you would like more information about this exhibition at megancha@gmail.com
The institute du loop's premier international exhibition debuted last night in the hive gallery within the Fayetteville underground to a First Thursday packed house. It was a thrill for me to be able to talk about the institute's work with the crowds and to explain my involvement in the project. I was so pleased to witness the moment that some of the viewers connected with the work, taking the time to look and explore, to absorb the music that the artist had especially composed for the photographs, and to read the artist's words about why he had created these images. I felt pride in my ability to bring the project to fruition and to expose Fayetteville's residents to this talented artist that I admire.
There were many questions about the work, the artist, and my role in the project so I am going to try to answer some of those in today's post. The institute du loop is an individual who currently lives in Taipei Taiwan, he is an English born sound and visual artist. He has lived in Taiwan for 2 years and feels that he has truly found his home in the world and his artistic identity on the island.
I met the artist via myspace two and half years ago and was very taken with his work, and we became friends and have stayed in contact via email about art and life over the years. I have always encouraged him in his work and even before I was an artist in the underground, I was attempting to find him a space locally for an exhibition. I know how important it is to have someone in your corner supporting your work, and I also know how important it is to have deadlines and a focus for your work, so an exhibition is always a good thing. I wasn't even sure if he would be interested in showing his work in Fayetteville Arkansas but when I proposed it, he was excited about the opportunity. Over the years we have developed trust in each other and our artistic sensibilities and knew we could pull this off. I had never curated a show of this magnitude or involvement before, and this was my first experience curating an international exhibition. The artist and I have been working on this exhibition for months via hundreds of emails and msn chats. Talking about the content of the exhibition, logistics, expenses, gallery dimensions, design, display and pricing, we discussed and worked out every detail, compromises were made, and we both learned a lot because of the experience.
The exhibition arrived on the two flash drives, and the one hundred twenty-four photographs were printed here and each hand stamped with the loop stamp the artist had designed for the occasion. They were hand cut and meticulously mounted flush to the wall in a grid pattern.The institute picked the order of the photographs and which images would go on each wall. There were limited edition posters, postcards and booklets to design and print, and Cd's of the soundtrack to burn after the mounting of the exhibition. All of this to complete the artist's well thought out vision. There were many late, sleep deprived nights leading up to the show. I even moved my sleeping bag into the gallery and put a note on the gallery door asking not to be disturbed as the images were installed. It was such a thrill to remove the black paper from the glass walls of the gallery and see the exhibition as a whole. I contacted the artist after the installation was complete and told him I felt he needed a larger budget, a museum and a book deal as I was so impressed with what he had created.
People have asked me what I get out of this or if I get paid for doing this. The answer is, no I don't get paid for this work. I do this work because I believe in the power of art and I believe in this artist's vision. I do this work because I feel that I am part of a global arts community and I am to fortunate enough know some of the most amazing artists on the planet and if I have the ability to shine a little extra light on them, or encourage them by offering them an exhibition then I am going to do it. I also believe Fayetteville deserves high quality art from around the country and the world. I am very fortunate that I have the trust of the Fayetteville Underground and the artists I work with. I feel honored to be able to do this type of work, it expands my vision as an artist and it keeps me involved in the bigger picture. In August, Christian Demare from Paris France will also be featured in the Hive gallery, and in September Thomas Petillo from Nashville, Tennessee will be in the hive as well. These are photographers I love and I can't wait to share their work with folks who don't already know it.
institute du loop: a place to drown on display through July 31. Hive gallery Fayetteville Underground gallery hours W-F 12-7 and Saturday 10-5
Photographs are $30 per image (open edition) and they are also priced by the wall collection. There is a booklet with a different set of images and words by the artist for $ 15.00 and the limited edition exhibition poster for $25.00. The soundtrack composed by the artist is also available for $10.00. Near or far, please contact me if you would like more information about this exhibition at megancha@gmail.com
I will close with a few words from the institute: "After all the longing and drowning, after all the decisions about the layers of images and sequences, the "image pools" are on the walls..." -institute du loop
So... I worked this week. I actually managed to paint! Nothing amazing or earth shattering, but there were marks made, there were grounds laid, there were things to explore, paint dripping, water splattering and hitting the floor.
If you have been reading my blog lately, you know I have been stuck on three new works in progress for the past several weeks. However, I do have my reasons for not painting that much this month...
I am excited to share that I have been working hard to bring something to the Fayetteville Underground from Taipei Taiwan. I have been working closely with the artist of the institute du loop over many months to bring their premier international exhibition to the light of day. This has been thrilling, exasperating, surprising, funny and hard work.The institute du loop's A Place to Drown will debut on Thursday July 1st at the Hive Gallery in the Fayetteville Underground, in Fayetteville, Arkansas as part of our monthly first Thursday art events from 5-8pm. So, while I have been a bit creatively blocked with my own paintings, I have been busy curating this exciting and challenging international exhibition. I am hesitant to use the word curating, as I am an artist by trade, but I can't think of a better word. If you are a curator please don't send me hate mail.
There have been countless emails, chats, diagrams, photographs, writings, ideas, and questions sent back and forth from Taipei to Fayetteville and vice-versa in preparation for this exhibition. It has been a very interesting experience to work with another artist in such a way. This is clear evidence of how our world has changed, how much technology allows such amazing and inspiring things to happen. I received the exhibition via Fed Ex on two thumb drives with a Chinese stamp in order to sign the work. I will receive the artist composed soundtrack for the exhibition electronically as well. I will be reimbursed for my printing and other in house supplies via paypal by the artist and then when work sells the artist will be paid that way in return. It is just so wonderful that all of this technology can be used in such a creative way. I am especially proud to be able to bring this emotional and wonderful body of photographic works and music to our community. I am also humbled by the trust given to me by the artist.
Press Release: Institute du Loop will present its premier international exhibition, A Place to Drown, in the Hive Gallery within the Fayetteville Underground during the month of July. This exhibition, curated by artist Megan Chapman, comes to the Fayetteville Underground from Taipei, Taiwan. The Institute du Loop is the brain child of English born visual and sound artist, "Mr. Loop." Mr. Loop has lived in Taipei for two years, and this body of work reflects his sense of being lost in the city, drowning in emotions, submerged and dreaming on the strange island he now calls home.
The photographic works presented capture what the artist's eye misses, he is using his camera to “see” what he cannot. The camera gives the artist a chance to lose himself in fleeting moments again and again. Mr. Loop sees his work as a form of emotional documentation: through these images he is finding his eyes and his heart. The Institute du Loop's exhibition presents the viewer with an archive of images, words, and sounds, or as the title suggests, A Place to Drown.
Latest tracks by institute "now I feel like an individual, like myself. My heart is feeling and my brain is thinking and I am dreaming with my eyes wide open..." -institute du loop
I am ready to drown. Are you?
Thanks for stopping by, more about the exhibition next week. The exhibition will remain up through July 31st. The Fayetteville Underground Basement of One East Square Plaza East side of the Historic Fayetteville Square. Fayetteville, Arkansas Gallery Hours W-F 12-7pm Saturday 10-5pm 4 galleries: Open Studios www.fayettevilleunderground.com www.fayettevilleunderground.blogspot.com
Oops... How did this happen? No Friday post, but here I am on Sunday. This is the first time I have posted on a Sunday, but not the first time I missed my Friday deadline. I looked back at my blog a year ago this week, and what would you know, but I missed Friday then too and made up with a Saturday post. Further proof that at times when I think I am living on some type of loop, I probably am.
So, the basic story is that I am still blocked. I am writing, taking photographs, and spending the "right" amount of time in my studio. I have even painted, but the works are not coming forth- they are remaining submerged under the surface. Bubbling up under my skin, but then retreating when I try to actualize them. I have to be patient. I am not good at waiting. When I am not painting, I worry that I may never paint again- which is completely ridiculous. I think I might forget how; again not possible! Anyway- suffice it to say, when I am not working it messes with my mind, mood, and my overall life. Typical artist type behavior.
When I haven't been working, I am not sure what to share with you all on here, hence the delay. I tried to write about my creative block in my journal, but everything I wrote seemed overly dramatic or too personal to share here.
This is just part of the process, like folks mentioned last week. This will not be the last time I stumble or feel uncomfortable on the creative path. I have to reassure myself that something is building, and when it is time, it will pour out of me and into future paintings.
Thanks to all my readers who check in here, and all my friends who remind me not to be so hard on myself and to be patient. Sometimes, it is the people on the outside who can see so clearly, what we cannot when we are wrapped up inside. I hope the muse finds us all and soon.
I have three new paintings on the go currently in my studio. I have been attempting to work on them to the point that I could share them with you today, but it just wasn't meant to be. There were too many voices, too many outside influences and gibberish. I could not connect or find the track I needed that would allow me to be the conduit this week. I tell myself this is okay, I can feel something at the edge, an inspiration welling up. There are stories I want to write, photographs I want to take and of course these three paintings I want to complete. It is interesting to me, that I can have a completely uplifting experience last Friday with a patron and then the week following takes me far away from those feelings and leaves me grasping.
Let's focus on the uplifting experience. Last Friday, a patron came into the Underground and we looked at all my paintings, we sat in my studio and I felt like we both reallylooked at my work. Then we moved some of it into the gallery and we really looked again. It was a unique experience to stand next to the patron while he intensely studied my work. We both just stood there looking for a long time, and for an instance it was not my work we were looking at, it was just work. It was art on a gallery wall. We were silent and then there was a moment where we turned and looked at each other, the silence was broken with a smile and perhaps a laugh because I think we had both been caught in a space far away just for a moment. It was a wonderful feeling. To know that my work was taking us somewhere and words were not needed. Even if he had not chosen to purchase my paintings, I would have treasured those silent moments. However, he chose all three that he viewed, and it was the right choice. I was then asked to deliver my work, and that was an extra treat for me. Upon entering the patrons home I understood at once, why he was drawn to my work. He and his wife seemed thrilled to have it in their home. We placed it around the house and we looked again and we talked about it. It was another wonderful moment, where I knew how lucky I am to have the job that I do as a visual artist. I will never get tired of these connections, these moments outside of the regular humdrum of daily life. I left with a smile on my face and a gratefulness in my heart.
It is a job, but it is more of a calling. Everyday, I know more and more that this is my life. There is much more to me than just painting and art, but it is central to my happiness and well being. It is central to how I relate in the world and with others. It has brought me in contact with some of the most beautiful souls on the planet. It has expanded my horizons, my self confidence and worth. I am writing this so I will remember. All of these feelings are so easy to forget. Such as this week, when the art was not flowing and it becomes scary and frustrating. There will always be weeks when my confidence is shaken and it feels as though I have never held a brush and have never had an inspiration.
When these thoughts get too much, I will remember the silence shared in the gallery and I will remember diving into my work with a stranger only to resurface as friends.
Selections from the new white series back vault gallery June 2010 Fayetteville Underground
Another month, gone already? Where is the time going? It passes quickly while I have been busy working in my studio at the underground. I have a feeling the next few summer months are going to be even more hectic. I am pleased I have been consistently painting, and I hope for more of the same. I must say I am thrilled with the response from people in person and online about the new white series and The Manual for Living. I am inspired and happy to be in such a wonderful local and global arts community.
I wanted to add the most recent members of the new white series to the group, so I can see them all in one place. This helps me. Also, hopefully it helps you too. If you are interested in any of these paintings, please contact me to learn more about purchasing them through the Fayetteville Underground.
And as always thanks for looking in and for your support.
