I live in Nebraska. The weather is unpredictable. It’s a way of life, but come on! It’s the middle of April and the newscaster said possible snow?! Where is Spring?! Where are the flowers?! I am escaping into one of Polly Apfelbaum’s prints for the day!
I found myself thinking about friendships last night. I thought about a former friend that I lived with for 9 years. He was fun, impish and a total Goth He introduced me to bands like Bauhaus, Nitzer Ebb and Sisters of Mercy. While we lived together, I was totally interested in the work of Joel Peter Witkin. His controversial photographs were haunting, sexually disturbing and uncomfortable at times to look at. I realized that I haven’t looked at Witkin’s work in a long time. I went on line and looked over some of his images. Yep, the photos are still haunting, sexually disturbing and uncomfortable at times to look at. The work that Witkin did is sometimes dismissed as being shock. He also got into some trouble with how he obtained some the bodies he used in his still-lifes. No matter the controversy, his work occupies a space in art that dares you to confront images of less than “perfect” bodies both alive and lifeless. The environments he creates for his subjects are sexually charged in taboo. His photos harken to the days of the traveling freak shows by photographing subjects sure to shock and amaze.
Ellen Gallagher. What can I say about her work? I can say that I have a hot and cold relationship to it. By far, her most ambitious piece Deluxe is pretty spectacular. There was a great print show here and that piece was in the exhibit. It was so great to see the work in person after only seeing photos and reading about it. I dig Deluxe, but I really dig another piece she made. Unlike Deluxe with it’s shocking yellow bits, Bling Bling, a painting of collaged materials covered in black paint is fantastic! The texture that is built up over a very expansive canvas gives it a depth that mimics the Milky Way. It’s tactile, velvety and sensual. I also like the word play of the title seeing that the collage materials include jewelry. How fortunate was I that I was able to see Bling Bling in person here as well?
This Monday has been a bear! I woke up this morning and did not have my usual two cups of coffee. I kind of felt like I didn’t want it. It was like my body was giving me signals that I’ve been drinking too much caffeine and should ease up. I passed on the joe and instead had some orange juice and a slice of banana bread. BIG MISTAKE! My 8am class was torture! I felt moody and non-communicative. After class was over, I went and got myself a coffee and miracle – I felt like my old, alert self. I’m never going to be able to not drink my coffee in the morning.
This experience made me think of Meret Oppneheim’s fur-covered cup, saucer and spoon. How I do love the surrealists! This piece speaks to how you can transform and object by combining unexpected materials. It’s great because for me, the materials used make this object both attractive and repulsive.
I was recently awarded an individual artist fellowship from the arts council here in my home town. I’ve tried multiple times, but have never received one until now. It is very important for me to receive this type of recognition here, because it makes me feel like the art powers that be see that the work I do is deserving of support. These latch hooked hotties are paying off!