Posted by Jay on September 9th, 2008
A number of my projects appear to have few if any parallels or antecedents – or so it seems. I’ve been watching for other manifestations of the chain concept, for example, without success. This may satisfy a need to be original , but it leaves me wondering about the quality and quantity of my research. My situation may be out in left field, but I’m sure that there are many who, laboring with their notions and inspirations, are curious about where they stand.
So one’s first thought is the internet. Set up a site where an artist can put up a clear image of his or her work and ask: Of what or who does this remind you? Criticism would not be solicited, only placement in a larger context.
Here’s another example of one of my x-shape compositions. There has got to be a million of them out there, all unknown to me. Do I really want to find out about someone else doing the same or similar thing? No. Do I need to find out? Definitely yes.
You will have thoughts about this. I would not be surprised to find that many such sites already exist. But, indeed, is this worth doing?
Posted by Jay on August 30th, 2008
Much of this molten electricity passing for a lake has been by Birgit’s dunes. Quickened by her lament about passed opportunities, we made our way this evening to the headlands.
This image barely captures a brief interlude as the sun rests upon the horizon and the water becomes a great shimmering expanse. An air of reverence descends upon the beach.
I would imagine that much the same happens in Michigan.
Posted by Jay on August 19th, 2008
As I clear my accumulations, I came upon this and its issues.
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Posted by Jay on August 13th, 2008
My most recent post concerned a purge, as I am consigning a number of objects to memory.
Objects over which I have lavished attention are getting the heave ho. We recently discussed the purgative benefits of doing this kind of thing, and I must say that it can take on a momentum as I have had to restrain myself from throwing out the entire body of work.
But this episode is not so much an exercise in destruction, as it is of transition; whatever experience gained will be used.
I had mentioned that it was time to read a novel and my wife handed me Speaker of the Dead by Orson Card. The theme of the story is largely that of redemption as the main character seeks to atone for past deeds. Thoughts of this were settling into my mind as I was tossing plaster. While contemplating my rubble field I could imagine a seedling reaching up from it. I was already embarked upon the next phase, which involves the substitution of an “ic” for an “er”: plastic rather than plaster, and had a few things lying about. I placed one on the heap.
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Posted by Jay on July 28th, 2008
I have been placed under oath to endeavor a cleansing of my own Augean Stables. There’s a lot of stuff around that could cause my heirs a world of headaches if left for them to handle.
To that end I have been rooting things out of their various hiding holes and exposing them to the light of day, thereupon to pass judgment. One category of item is cast plaster of which this is a gathering.
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Posted by Jay on July 11th, 2008
Steve’s recent post: “Light, Dark, Figure, Ground” presents a fine example of dappling as the tree in question seems to dissolve in patterns of light and shade.
The name “Forest City”, applies well to large areas of Greater Cleveland. Our property in Cleveland Heights is rather woodsy and can produce an array of shadow effects. This dappling is a constant source of fascination and subject matter. This morning it was the side of the house.
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Posted by Jay on June 20th, 2008
Allow me to report on my progress, or lack of it, with the question and answer theme.
The idea has been to create a chain form, corresponding to a sequence of events; in this case questions and answers.
Scattered about my workplace are various takes on the letters “a” and “q”, done up in a number of fonts, sizes and materials. These have been strung together in attempts to find the right combination of variety, legibility and sparkle.
Early attempts emphasized strong interactions of color and form. They were entertaining, but the underlying call and response theme that I was after tended to get lost in the visual noise.
In this iteration I’m trying to standardize somewhat by choosing block letter forms and a monochrome finish. Last I counted there were three of each letter, which when tied together creates a tight mass.
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