Studio Project in 3 parts
Our studio project for the semester is inspired by the layered concept of a puppet show. Like with a puppet show, I want you to consider how multiple built components (such as the way a puppet and a stage set up) can work together to create a meaningful space for an performative event or activation to occur. Taking advantage of some of the new skills, materials, processes and techniques we are learning in class, I want you to apply fiber sculpture to your art practice and create an experience that is performative or activated in some way.
I’ve found fiber structures and concepts, materials, and processes to be uniquely positioned to offer meaningful advantages to making multifaceted and thoughtful experiences for contemporary artists and consider this studio project a chance to explore what this might look like in your own work.
We will discuss your cumulative fiber sculpture studio projects 3 times, with each critique building on the last, culminating in a final critique at the end of the semester with your multifaceted projects activated or performed.
The objectives for the studio project are:
1.) To create a structure for you to continue to pursue your own art practice and individual voice through the creation of a sophisticated thoughtful artwork.
2.) To apply fiber processes, techniques and ideas in an authentic way to your art making.
3.) To understand better what fiber sculpture is and what it has to offer contemporary art.
4.) To provide the means for you to have the time necessary to create a layered artwork with multiple elements that work together to offer a meaningful experience to a viewer.
5.) To explore how an artwork can be activated through art methodologies of performance, time based strategies, mixed media approaches, installation strategies, collaboration or participation.
6.) To continue to cultivate your abilities and point of view in all aspects of an artist’s studio production: from concept to design, sourcing materials, from production to presentation, artwork documentation and further description in supplement written materials like titles and statements...etc.
Critique dates….
Part 1: October 16, October 18 Part 2: November 8, November 13 Part 3: December 4, December 6, December 11
Images from top:
First image is of the Superclogger Project by Los Angeles based artist Joel Kyack. Watch a video of a panel discussion with the artist and curators of the project here.
The next two images are of a multifacted project by Los Angeles based artist Katie Grinnan called Rubble Division (watch artist video of the project here and read more specifically about the project.) The first image is of the costumes the artist made for her musicians to wear performing in the project and the second is an image of the project in its final form, as exhibited in Interstate: The American Road Trip, curated by Alyson Baker and Andrea Zittel.
The next two images are of work by artist Franz Erhard Walther. These show two views of his work, the first as displayed in the gallery, and the second activated through performance periodically scheduled throughout the run of the gallery exhibition the work is on view. Watch his work being performed in this linked video. The next two images show different iterations of the Suffragette City project by artist Lara Schnitger. The first image shows the work as displayed in a gallery context. The second image shows the work activated in a performance on the street. Here is a video of one such performance. The final two images of Puerto Rico collaborative artist duo known as Poncili Creacion. The first image is a storyboard style sketch detailing typically how they prepare a narrative structure for one of their performances. The second image is from a 2016 performance in New York City. Here is an article about the work and a link to a video of part of a performance.
