Contra Code Installation

Chad Crane and I recently collaborated on an installation for the 'E Pluribus Unum' show.  Chad (a proud geek) re-introduced me to the 'Contra Code', a series of actions in various old-school video games that allows the player to re-animate their character and essentially become digitally immortal.

The theme of the show was about what unites us as a country, especially during a divisive and often counterproductive political election cycle.  What better way to show our common experience of death than to demonstrate the possibility of endless life, even if it is just in a video game?

Each of the commands for the Contra Code was etched onto welded steel planters arranged in a circle.  Each planter contains a single plant that slowly deteriorates for the duration of the show.

Pedestals in progress

Planters in progress before etching

Planter stands in progress

Planters in progress

E Pluribus Unum

Myself and a bunch of other artist are collaborating on a show about collaboration (or lack thereof) in the American political system.  Come on out, and take a look at the details here:

https://www.facebook.com/epuartshow?fref=ts

CSU MFA exhibit

Got the chance to see CSU's Master of Fine Arts Thesis exhibit a few days ago. If you're in the N Colorado/ Ft Collins area, I recommend checking it out.

There was one artist in particular I especially liked: Eli Marco Hall, who did a video series that depicted his use of typography on various public spaces. He use shadows on walls, rocks, even firearm pock marks in concrete to illustrate several personally relevant phrases ('you're not me', 'cancer consumed her', etc). The best part wasn't the design of the typeface or the sayings themselves, but the theater of their production and disintegration caught on time-lapse film. Seeing the film in the gallery gave me a perspective that I wouldn't have gotten if I saw the work in person, or even it's construction real-time.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take photos in the gallery so you'll have to see it in person.

Carbondale's Art aRound Town

Just got back from Carbondale, CO to install the Ambiguous Family in Carbondale's Art aRound Town exhibit.  It'll be there for a year at 3rd & Main, so swing by and check it out.

I also had the opportunity to meet and trade secrets with some very talented sculptors who were also in the exhibit:

Casey Cooper
(article)

Casey and a few buddies from Texas drove this thing up and over Colorado mountain passes in a marathon trip to get it out to the show, and it was one of my favorite pieces.  He welds sheet metal together and then inflates it using compressed air to give his sculptures a very interesting industrial/organic feel.  The scale of this particular one was especially impressive as was the light and shadows that play across the surface depending on the time of day.

Michael Dunton
(website)

Michael is out of Castle Valley and does some very painstaking and beautiful work with illuminated stone and steel.

Shohini Ghosh
(website)





Suzanne Kane
(website)






Michael Lindsey
(fb) (website)

Gary Mitchell
(article)

Kevin Schaffer (detail)

Bones

Bone II, 10" x 7" x 35"

I just completed two pieces that had been germinating since my time in the Great Basin and delivered to the 3rd Street Art Center's "Feel Free to Touch 2" exhibit in Carbondale.  They'll be on display throughout the month of June.

Bone III, 5" x 17" x 20"

Each of these was inspired by bone fragments I found while traveling the basin and range of Utah/Nevada.  To make them I used wood scraps that I also found in the area; I thought it was an important symmetry to depict the forms with materials that were also cast aside and weathering in the same context.

Model/prototype in progress with original bone inspiration

Detail of  Bone II,  with bondo-colored epoxy accents

As a side note, there are many other fantastic sculptures in the exhibit, including those of James Surls and John Doyle.

John Doyle's  Walnut Hand

Art for ARC

On March 30th Larimer County's ARC will be having their Art for Arc event, and the Candle Log will be on the auction block.  If you're in the Ft. Collins, CO area swing by and check it out!

About Arc:

As a local chapter of The Arc, we are a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) so that they can lead full and satisfying lives in their communities. The Arc is there to provide direct advocacy, resources, education and community that empower people to achieve their dreams.

And Art for Arc: