"It's kind of an excuse to research something. It's this chance to learn more about something in the world and be able to formulate some kind of response."

My blogging absence has been hanging over my head as of lately, but today I found a new power couple that have inspired me far too greatly not to write about them. I was hooked the instant the above statement was made by Jennifer Allora, half of the duo that have collaborated since 1995. The other half is Guillermo Calzadilla and they both reside and work in San Juan, Puerto Rico. PBS describe the artists: "Allora & Calzadilla approach visual art as a set of experiments that test whether ideas such as authorship, nationality, borders, and democracy adequately describe today’s increasingly global and consumerist society. Their hybridized works—often a unique mix of sculpture, photography, performance, sound and video—explore the physical and conceptual act of mark making and its survival through traces. By drawing historical, cultural, and political metaphors out of basic materials, Allora & Calzadilla’s works explore the complex associations between an object and its meaning."

Here are a few works that I was personally inspired by:

"Chalk"

(Lima) Installation at Pasaje Santa Rosa, Lima, Peru, 2002

Artists placed oversized pieces of chalk in a public political place to invite people to leave their mark. See short clip on "Chalk" here.

"Charcoal Dance Floor"

Installation, The Project, New York, 2001

This installation is an extremely detailed charcoal drawing of an aerial view of club-goers in Puerto Rico. As individuals walk across the floor, the charcoal smears and the image slowly disappears. For an interesting extended explanation, visit the Walker Art Center's website.

"Clamor"

Mixed-media sculpture, approximately 15 x 30 feet (diameter). Installation view: The Moore Space, Miami. 2006

See short clip and interview based on "Clamor" from artists here.

"Returning a Sound"

Single channel video with sound, 5 minutes 42 seconds. 2004

See video here.

Self Portrait

   

Bob Dylan's song "Stuck Inside Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" was chosen in order to portray a glimpse into a personal reference of myself. The song originates from the famous 1966 album "Blonde on Blonde," which marked an end to an era for Dylan. His sound became a brand of blues-rock, with an electric sound and even more surreal lyrics. The song specifically represents a time in which Dylan felt "stuck" in the folk music era. The city of Mobile was a huge circuit for the folk music scene and Memphis was a city in which rock and roll was beginning to escalate. The song represents a lifestyle that became dramatically chaotic and surreal. My installation is based on the lyrics that I personally connect to:

Now the bricks lay on Grand Street

Where the neon madmen climb.

They all fall there so perfectly 

It all seems so well timed.

An' here I sit so patiently

Waiting to find out what price

You have to pay to get out of going

Through all these things twice

Oh Mama can this really be the end,

To be stuck inside Mobile

With the Memphis blues again. 

This set of lyrics may reference to Allen Ginsberg, a personal friend of Dylan and well-known writer. Ginsberg's poem "Brick Layer's Lunch Hour" demonstrates a theory in how both Ginsberg and Dylan wrote. The poem and lyrics written are spontaneous, unpremeditated, and unrevised.

When approaching the sculpture, one can see their reflection in a mirror. A found object, a vintage birdcage, strung from above, stands in the way of the viewer's reflection. It is up to the viewer whether to continue to see themselves in a caged state. This sculpture demonstrates my life within the past year. I have chosen to take chances, be spontaneous, never plan too far ahead, and especially to never regret a single decision. 

Revelation through concealment

Here is a glimpse of one of my favorite artists. This one actually comes in a pair, a married couple; Christo and Jeanne Claude. I have been thinking about them a lot lately. I've really been inspired lately by monumental size sculptures/public art. Time to form some ideas I suppose...

"You see, what is it that we do? We want to create works of art of joy and beauty, which we will build because we believe it will be beautiful. The only way to see it is to build it, Like every artist, every true artist, we create them for us." Jeanne Claude

   

 

 

Priority #1: DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!

So, if you weren't part of the the 50ish or so attendees of my recent dance party, you therefore are lame...Though if there were many more people, it might have been a tight squeeze in the little Broadway house. These are things that I loved most about the night: Dancing (duh) to the likes of Crystal Castles, Santigold, and MIA; A fondue feast is always a hit, nothing was left; Wearing a party dress; Enjoying the company of all my friends in one setting; Bowerbirds, enough said; Photo shoot in the basement, which I'm dying to see the results of our photographer, Ryan. Thanks for those who came and enjoyed, don't miss out on the next one.

A glimpse into the night, from the polaroid collection of Devin Masters:

   

         

 apparently, I possess a really phallic sculpture.

Imagined Boundaries

My current installation sculpture is appropriately titled Imagined Boundaries. Space can be defined as boundless, a place where objects and events occur, in which they have position and direction. In my own explorations, I wanted to study upon the idea of personal space which can be defined within two categories: immediate individual physical space and the space in which an individual considers they live in, often called habitat. Immediate individual physical space can be described with a certain individual standing central to rings of imagined boundaries that they have defined as their personal space. These imagined boundaries determine how close or how far an individual may stand in comparison to another physical being. As mentioned previously, personal space can also be defined as a habitat. The sculpture's shape was carefully considered, created as a dome-like structure. The construction of the dome-like shape was heavily influenced on my study of adobe architecture. Imagined Boundaries was created in order to bring a better understanding of the idea of personal space defined within my own life.

 

   

Interior Spaces

My favorite magazine, Domino, has come to an end. As I was cleaning up the basement a few nights ago, I came upon the box that contained my collection of the magazine that Liz had once subscribed me to as a birthday gift. Though I don't tend to be a pack rat, I'm not quite ready to toss them out just yet. There is just something about the way an interior space is laid out and designed that inspires me. Someday I would love to consider interior design as a side project, maybe eventually a career. Only time will tell. Here is a little glimpse into the spaces I currently love and adore:

  

Anyone can assume that I have an evident taste for anything retro and/or vintage. The idea of having famous portraits or any kind of image on window treatments are corky, hence why I love the second image. These are the first window treatments I have seen of this likeness and I really want to create some for my own living space. I see a little screen printing project in the works.

 

You can find such arrangements of above items within our little Broadway Street house. I have named it organized clutter. I love having random images forming a collaborative  design upon a wall. Whether that consists of old magazine images, paintings, drawings, screen printed band posters, trinkets, or decorative plates; anything goes. If on a budget, it can be quite the thrifty way to decorate as well.

  

This year I have really grown in my love of patterns. I find this love especially within a home's decor: wallpaper. Now, I know many consider wallpaper something to be left in the 90's where it became a huge trend to smother walls with farm scenes and flower arrangements, but I am here to restore your faith in wall design. Wallpaper seems to make a comeback within every decade in some way or form I suppose. This is another project I want to someday experiment with: screen printing my own wallpaper designs.

There is nothing wrong with bringing out a little architectural element, allowing it to stand out in a room. In fact, it is a must. A lot of newly constructed houses today lack any form of interior architecture. I will forever reside in spaces that have character that separates itself from the house next door. The right choice of paint will allow an interior space and its architectural elements stand out. More often than not, the most important thing about a living space is the color you choose, so choose wisely.

Check out http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/sneak-peeks for your own inspiration.

Check back soon for my future blog showcasing my current sculpture installation!

Kate Banazi

      

  

Thanks to my room mate, I discovered a print maker I absolutely adore. I love the clash of pattern and colors within my own work, and it is evident why I like the work of Kate Banazi so much. I've been recently motivated to begin an independent silkscreen series presenting the things I love most: color, patterns, collaging, and incorporating digital images. Readings from "Tarantula Bob Dylan" will play a significant role as well. I have so much I want to get started on this season, we'll see where the time leads.  

Check out the work of Kate Banazi: www.katebanazi.com