cozyquail.

An Inspirational Individual....Mark Crisanti.

currently listening to:  Martin Solveig & Dragonette Hello                              (I can't really determine if this video is poking fun at Andre Agassi when he had long hair or not...but hey, I can definitely dig dance music to a tennis video!)

 

I recently stumbled upon contemporary artist, Mark Crisanti while viewing new illustrative artwork on one of my favorite sites showcasing contemporary work, Juxtapoz.  There is something simplicistically whimsical about Crisanti's paintings that I am very attracted to.  I'm also pretty fond of interpretations of mankind with various animal features mixed in. More or Crisanti's artwork can also be found here. 

  

These are a couple of my favorites from the bunch presented online via Juxtapoz magazine online.

  

 
 source for all images (posted above)

 

Packer Scopfy gallery of Chicago, Illinois has this to say about Crisanti's work:

"Mark Crisanti collage/paintings address evolution and an often-awry coexistence in our rapidly advancing world. Attaching a bird head to a human body, Crisanti blurs our perception between man and animal, yet carefully avoids anthropomorphizing his portrayals. The blank stare of each bird, amidst daily vices and activities confronts us with the irony of our own human actions. Crisanti uses various ephemera as backgrounds-dictionary pages, S & H green stamps, gameboards, and manuals to enrich his confrontations."     source

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I'm also a fan of the subtle background chosen in Crisant's painting of these bird-human hybrids.  It kind of makes these creatures feel more tangible in reality-more human.  I'm becoming a fan of his work and would love the experience of seeing these paintings in person!  (I also intend to try and do a bit more research on this artist to locate more of his work & inspirations.)

I certainly recommend you to take a gander at the links listed above to see more of Mark Crisanti's work and to read the small article Juxtapoz wrote as well!  On another note, Juxtapoz magazine (or online) is a fabulous source (and one of my ultimate favorites) for keeping up-to-date with art exhibtions worldwide as well as upcoming emerging artists working in all assortments of mediums!

 

I hope & strive to be included among this contemporary one day with my own art as well.

a July [art] submission.

currently listening to: Cults  "Go Outside"

 

I've once again re-appeared back on my blog after another disappearance that was very much so - art related in every way possible.  I have been completely stressed out attempting to finish my latest submission/entry of my artwork into a professional exhibition.  This time I entered my work in: The Other New York Show in Syracuse, New York.  This is 4th professional exhibition I have submitted to thus far, totally keeping count,  and I each time I get better & better at it!

Weeks prior, I had arranged an impromptu photo shoot at the flat Gregory & I share together, in the kitchen, for more professional photographs of my latest television installation, Static Attraction.  The kitchen soon transformed into a small D.I.Y. studio complete with ironed sheet and clamp lighting. The whole experience of seeing my installation shot was really exciting!  Greg's friend, Matt , did such an amazing job on such short notice!

I use what I can to make the most of things, but by no means, am I a professional photographer.  Each time I submit my artwork into a professional exhibition I recall more things I was taught in college, such as: tips on a more professional presentation, and ways to create a more cohesive presentation of my work.  It's the learning process all over again in a new light...and I like it.

I am striving to continue my artisitic growth all the while continuing my learning and knowledge of the career path I want so, so much!

 

I wanted to document the doumentation of my piece...so I snuck a photograph of him in action using Greg's iPhone.  Yes, that is a little disco ball hanging from our kitchen fan.

I realize this small makeshift studio may make people ask, "..what was she thinking?!"  I am simply doing what I can, with what I have and learning all through the experience.

These are the selected photographs Matt shot for exhibition entries.  I used both the photographs for Static Attraction and wanted to finally share a photograph, that Matt also took, of my finished Epiphany (Lilith) piece.

 

Static Attraction. 2011.

Static Attraction. (detail) 2011.

 

Epiphany (Lilith) 2011.

These lovely photographs are courtesy of Matt Proietta. Thanks, again!!

I apologize for not posting the finished photograph of Lilith much ealier!  I completely forgot to snap a photo before I had her matted & framed, because of the rush I was in.

 

I [want] to be a strong part of the art world.

I [want] people to know and recognize my style.

I [will] keep creating my art until my goals and dreams are fully obtained.

 

the [cool] school.

 currently listening to: The Gorillaz  "Latin Simone"

 

The past three days have seemed to be quite tumultuous.  I do believe the full moon has something to do with the odd-ness to these June days leading up to my birthday [June 20th].

Yesterday I managed to find yet another wonderful artistic documentary via instant watch on Netflix.  Call me an art nerd, but I really, really, really do love learning about other contemporary artists and witnessing their creative processes. 

The Cool School is an art documentary based on a group of renegade artists [manly of the male variety] living in Los Angeles, California [post-WWII] struggling for respect, survival, and a chance to show their work outside of the New York art scene.  Also playing a key role in this influential creative spark was the founding of The Ferus Gallery, where the majority of these young contemporary artists were first able to show; including Andy Warhol.

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On the Independent Lens section of PBS.com, you will find plenty more information about the film, the director, and the production of the film in 2008.  I did notice that on the PBS Independent website you could check your local PBS listings for cable viewing of the program.  Fortunately, Gregory & I both chose to do a modern approach to our film viewing through Netflix [instant-play] and live without a cable hookup.  It ends up being very cheap each month through all its usage and I, personally, tend to use the televisions I have for art pieces.  

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Though I am biased to loving both documentaries & art films, I did thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this film and certainly recommend it to any individual who would find interest in it!  It's pretty neat learning more about contemporary artists on the west coast during the post-World War II era, that were so influential and innovative during their time. 

You can certainly guess where the main focus for contemporary art stemmed from, as an artist born and raised on the east coast in New York State.  I also have quite a fond attraction of creating art out of discarded, donated, & found materials out of cultural/capitalist waste. 

 

[emphasis on dated television sets].

A little Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

currently listening to:  Joy Division  "Shadowplay" 

 

I am really enjoying these beautiful, beautiful individuals.

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I recently watched the lovely documentary called, The Gates, which was an in-depth look, from start to finish, of the installation project by contemporary artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.  The film has a kind of peacefulness to it that allows you, the viewer, to observe every little bump in their journey.  You are also able to see the real confidence these two artists exude because they are so commited and trusting of the strength of this work.  This strong belief in their work spans the years filled with relentless persistance with numerous city councils to make their proposal a reality. 

The myriad of struggles, work & preparation,  ups & downs, and the whole lot of documented rejection puts a real perspective on just how hard it is really can be to be both contemporary artists creating large-scale public works on public domain, and also two passionate individuals with ephemeral visions swimming in their craniums to be free.

The thought of creating, or proposing, larger-scale sculptures/installations feels as exhilerating as much as overwhelmingly intimidating to me, personally.  I can imagine the tedious and extended process just to be approved to create a public sculpture creates the realization that the land we walk on isn't all that free.  I'm sure the pay off in the end is pretty wonderful, though.  Maybe one day if I decide to wander down this path, using my televisions for an outdoor piece, I, too, will have a better understanding of the heavy amount of work and time involved to share your work with fellow taxpayers.

 

I thoroughly enjoy witnessing the passion and strong belief an artist can possess with his/her own work, as witnessed in this film with Christo and Jeanne-Claude.  I really admire that certain love, respect, and especially that personal connection between an artist [creator] and his/her work [a concept now physically manifested/created] and how uniquely beautiful it can be.

 

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I do recommend this film to anyone that would be willing to spare a bit of their time with an open mind.  [I viewed it on Netflix instant play].

I may start digging to see if there are other documented films of these two creative's other outdoor installations.