Emerging Artists who Caught My Eye Part III

The last artist at the Wesleyan University senior thesis art exhibit that caught my eye was installation artist Eric Bissell, whose thesis was entitled 'Here is Expansive'. When first walking through the gallery I almost missed his work entirely since only the back of the installation (a concrete slab) can be seen until you walk around the whole piece.

For those of you not familiar with installation art, I like to explain it as site specific work (in which an area or space really dictates the formation of the piece) that is often three-dimensional and engaging the viewer in more than a visual manner, in a more conceptual manner. One goal being to alter the perceptions, including the human senses (acoustic, tactile, etc.,) of how a viewer interacts with the art. Changing that age old dogma of removed viewer/on looker of art to a full participant.

Eric Bissell's Installation entitled Here is Expansive photo by m.diaz

This particular piece is a video projection of the ocean's shore on a series of mirrored doors. You can walk right on up to the projection, hear the waves and step into the sand right there in the gallery. Although this work is more conceptually driven than what you may be used to, the manner in which you are moved within the space is very powerful.

Lorena infront of Eric Bissell's piece photo by m. diazA photo with flash causing an absence of Eric Bissell's projection

Another piece that was quite effective in Eric's thesis was the following one in which a pedestal covered in sand had a variety of war images projected onto it. The viewer was encouraged to 'play' with or move the sand by the presence of a little plastic hand held shovel. The images projected onto the sand changed with time.

Another interactive piece by Eric BissellThat same piece with a demonstration of the movable sand

There was one more piece in Eric's thesis but the gallery had closed and artist arrived to break down and move out their art. It was a sofa set in front of a television set playing what appeared to be an interview with a soldier. However, I was very fortunate to meet Eric and get his pic for this post.

Eric Bissell with his work photo by m. diaz Here I am with former students Lorena Estrella and Nikki Long

Well I hope you enjoyed this little foray into the fine art world and remember one of my personal goals is to blur the intellectual snobbery line between fine art and craft and appreciate makers and thinkers alike for their vast interdisciplinary talents.

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Ok here is the LAST of the art connoisseur posts. I'm holding out without turning to anti-biotics but I may have to give in- anyone who gets this as much as I do realizes quick that anti-biotics aren't a good thing to always turn to- nor do they always help. Today may be our first day of no rain in three or four days (yesterday was torrrential again) and I'm hoping to liven my spirits by having an informal ANTI- Bahamas party (since most of the seniors where I teach are currently sitting pretty in the Bahamas).

I've also been doing a lot of new work for the Azucarera exhibit and I think its fine time I gave you all a sneak peek again (tomorrow). I've also been thinking a lot about loyalty and whether or not its a characteristic that plays much of a role in people's lives anymore. I wanted to ask you all about it. Do you feel it passionately often, or does it kick in only once in a while? Does it have its price for you or is part of your cognitive make up? Just curious :))

Ciao- Amarettogirl

Emerging Artists who Caught My Eye Part II

The second artist that caught my eye during the Wesleyan Senior thesis exhibit was Nicolina Baxter. Her thesis show was entitled 'Flay' and I only got to see her in passing while she walked in the gallery at closing time to break down the exhibit.

Her sculptural forms are another aspect of my artistic tastes and motivations, that many don't know about me, since in a past life I sculpted as much as I painted! Nicolina's work is figurative yet by its very segmented state also abstracted which makes it even more intriguing. I loved the lay out, expanse and visceral feeling of the 'skin' she developed. In regards to the 'skin', I'm a sucker for clever and varied uses of materials and I'm suspecting this is an ingenious use of mold-making latex.

Nicolina Baxter's senior thesis FLAY photo by m.diaz Nicolina Baxter's thesis exhibit FLAY detail Nicolina Baxter's senior thesis Flay detail photo by m. diaz

As part of the exhibit there was also a 'voyeur box' which I've made use of in my work in the past - love them and when you looked through the peep hole you are somewhat assaulted with an up close and intimate red/orange hue of fingers moving quickly to peel back the 'skin'.

As I stated earlier I only got to see Nicolina as the gallery was closing. And since I only had a chance to say 'I really enjoyed your work' to her as I was walking out of the building, I couldn't take a photo of her besides it like I did with the others. So I managed to scoop her fb pic up - hope she doesn't mind (its a great pic anyway!)

Nicolina Baxter Pic from her FB page profile View through Nicolina Baxter's voyeur box photo by m.diaz Nicolina Baxter's senior thesis Flay detail photo by m.diaz

For all of you concerned I've had chronic bronchitis my whole life (since a child) and any cold often turns right into the bronchitis. However, since I received a flu shot this year, I managed to stave off getting any bout of bronchitis until now...I guess the vaccine wore off. NO worries, I will survive!

Now the next artist and last artist from this trip is drastically different and another real treat so stay tuned!

As for my work, its coming along (though slowly) I think I'll have to share another progress report with you soon.

I'm sad I've been neglecting my Etsy shop and crafting these days, but I can only do so much with two hands...but Oh how I wish I had more!! Ok so heres a dive from serious art connoisseur to silly question time! Yeah, I would want more hands and a ceaseless pool of energy!- SO YOUR TURN- tell me if you had a superhero power what would it be???

- Ciao Amarettogirl