What inspires you?

CONFESSION!:
I truly dig the whole up-cycled, found object trend that's been going on in the art world. I like that home made look. I like seeing something and being like "what! he used THAT!"
how clever? how witty?
I appreciate that in an artist. My inspiration is found in the transition. Turning something into something else but being able to still tell what it used to be. I think that it makes good art. Things then become familiar. People attach their own experiences to these objects in use because they have had an experience with it. It's appealing to the masses, and hard not to appreciate. 

ran over tin can

chairs

barbies and twigs

plastic bottles

various trash

Watch Yo'self Abz.

DON'T I DARE:

get stuck on a concept.

forget to learn how to utilize new materials.

neglect metal- I love copper, so much. It's my favorite material to work with.

stop brainstorming new ideas, and filling up my thesis notebook.

forget to take care of myself.

neglect a clean room and studio space- I work best when the space I'm working in is clean, fresh, and full of possibilities.

get fixated on one thing, it's more then possible to have two things going at the same time, especially this semester.

ignore my emotions- this is huge for me. everythign I do is emotionally driven. if I pretend like nothing is bothering me when something is, I will not make, or even utilize any ounce of creativity.

What don't you want to do? (this semester)

This question has probably followed me all my life. I can be an impulsive person, maybe even compulsive. I can procrastinate, push things aside until I feel like dealing with them especially if there is something else that interests me. Maybe not with all things in my life, but certainly school work.

With that said:

1. I don't want to procrastinate! My first step in the right direction is this blog post. It's not due until Friday. Today is Wednesday. check. (ps. sorry about the lateness on the last post Carole). 

My compensation: This early post and your hair cut is beautiful, makes you look edgy. 

My latest ideas for thesis has been delving into the wide world of female body image. I research eating disorders for my art therapy classes, I have plaster casted a dozen girls and their naked torsos. I am obsessed with the female form as an aesthetic. BUT I have never once used my own female body parts in any of my work. 

Reason: fear. insecurity. wtf?! ironic. 

2. I don't want to be afraid. What kind of an artist would I be if I virtually don't participate in my own work? I need to be brave. I would be going against everything I am trying to convey in my work. 

Fact: The last 6 or 7 sentences took me about 12 minutes to type out. eek, touchy subject.

uhmmmmm. more "don't dos" coming soon.

success!

That last post got me into looking up art again!
eye candy:

Contemporary Art

The worlds getting smaller. Now more then ever do we have the opportunity to become well versed in virtually all cultures. Many people around the world see themselves as multi-cultural. The art world is running parallel with this globalization. Artwork is making statements about this multicultural identification. 

:o) - this can explain more.

"Reference to a "Grand tour," a country outing of noblemen in the 18th century. The costumes are tailored from printed African cloth."

 Cool! I adore the idea of meshing different aspects of who you are. I honestly think that there is a huge importance in recognizing heritage. History is important, and taking a step back to see where you are now in comparison to where your great great grandmother had been is humbling. Acknowledge your past, embrace your history. It makes you remember how unique you are to the person sitting next to you.

Contemporary art has the power in this day and age to make statements about important issues happening all over the world. Shirin Fakhim utilizes this ability to bring attention to the issues surrounding the Persian working-girl circuit. 

"Fakhim farcically combines westernized hooker fashion with the codes of Islamic demur, torsos and heads made from cooking implements, adorned with make-shift veils and chastity belts."

"In 2002 it was estimated that there were 100,000 prostitutes working in Tehran, despite Iran’s international reputation as a moralistic country with especially high standards placed on women. Many of these women are driven to prostitution because of abusive domestic situations and the poverty incurred from the massive loss of men during the war; in response to Iran’s strict religious laws, some even consider the profession as an act of civil protest."

;^D Git at dat hurr.

closer!-->

I was lucky enough to see this in person. It's an interesting of juxtaposition of east meets west. The world of propaganda and in your face media comes together to form a mandala. Pop culture meets Buddhist iconography. But that's the world we live in. These aspects of life are existing together. Ironically.

"In the magazine shop in Grand Central Terminal, the cover of issue 63 of ArtAsiaPacific caught my attention with its visual overload of branding logos, typography, and recognizable cartoon characters. The artwork on the cover is a detail of The Shambala of the Modern Times by Gonkar Gyatso. I like Gyatso's clever integration of pop culture icons and references within the shapes of Buddhist iconography. It wasn't until I delved deeper into the magazine that I realized this juxtaposition. The feature article on the artist entitled Contours of Identity, provides fascinating insight into the cultural, political, and spiritual influences which helped shape the artist's view today.  Born in Lhasa in 1961, he studied traditional Chinese ink-and-brush painting in Bejing. He is the founder of Sweet Tea House, a contemporary Tibetan art gallery. Currently, Gonkar Gyatso lives in London."

8O) Love it.