Synonyms: bizarre, bizarro, cranky, crazy, curious,eccentric, erratic, far-out, funky, funny, kinky, kooky (alsokookie), offbeat, off-kilter, off-the-wall, outlandish, out-of-the-way, outré, peculiar, quaint, queer, queerish, quirky,remarkable, rum [chiefly British], screwy, spaced-out, odd,wacky (also whacky), way-out, weird, weirdo, wild
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
What's going on with our show?
Our gallery is cleared and ready for installation for our Strange Contraptions show, but where are the artworks???
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Chinatown Galleries
We are meeting at The Company to begin our exploration of Chinatown Galleries.
Address:
THE COMPANY
955 Chung King Road
Los Angeles, CA 90012
T: 213-625-1008
E: info@thecompanyart.com
http://www.thecompanyart.com/
There is free parking on the tail end of Yale Street north of College Street. It runs parallel to Broadway and Hill (see map above).
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Strange Contraptions Statement
Strange Contraptions
We imagine and we conceive, yet at times our ideas may stray so far from our original intention that it may morph and evolve well beyond the fringes of "normalcy." How much does our attitude of "play" contribute to our art making, and how far can we go when we lose ourselves in reverie? Strange Contraptions examines the superfluous narrative of construction, as in a Rube Goldberg machine--the visual layers, or strategies, that make up a process. The work(s) in this exhibition carry the attitude and aesthetic of complexity as well as simplicity regarding design, and communicates to the viewer the raw and inventive motion of our streaming imagination.
We imagine and we conceive, yet at times our ideas may stray so far from our original intention that it may morph and evolve well beyond the fringes of "normalcy." How much does our attitude of "play" contribute to our art making, and how far can we go when we lose ourselves in reverie? Strange Contraptions examines the superfluous narrative of construction, as in a Rube Goldberg machine--the visual layers, or strategies, that make up a process. The work(s) in this exhibition carry the attitude and aesthetic of complexity as well as simplicity regarding design, and communicates to the viewer the raw and inventive motion of our streaming imagination.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Merijn Bolink
http://www.merijnbolink.com/
Untitled (winnower (agricultural device))---1995---two winnowers of which one has been grinded completely and reshaped into app. 2000 wooden grains and 120 metal vessels---120 x 170 x 65 cm---collection of the artist
Untitled (winnower (agricultural device))---1995---two winnowers of which one has been grinded completely and reshaped into app. 2000 wooden grains and 120 metal vessels---120 x 170 x 65 cm---collection of the artist
Monday, April 25, 2011
VISION
Jamie Isenstein
working title: Radunculous Audience Taste Vase 9742011
Ceramic glasses, enamel, pedestal, glass, flowers
20 x 17 x 33 inches
working title: Radunculous Audience Taste Vase 9742011
Ceramic glasses, enamel, pedestal, glass, flowers
20 x 17 x 33 inches
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Strange Contraptions: Thesis Statement
We need a thesis statement for our show. This is my proposal.
Strange Contraptions (*rough draft*)
We imagine and we conceive, yet at times our ideas may stray so far from our original intention that it may morph and evolve well beyond the fringes of "normalcy." How much does our attitude of "play" contribute to our art making, and how far can we go when we lose ourselves in reverie? Strange Contraptions examines the superfluous narrative of construction, as in a Rube Goldberg machine--the visual layers, or strategies, that make up a process. The work(s) in this exhibition carry the attitude and aesthetic of complexity over simplicity regarding design, and communicates to the viewer the raw and inventive motion of our streaming imagination.
Strange Contraptions (*rough draft*)
We imagine and we conceive, yet at times our ideas may stray so far from our original intention that it may morph and evolve well beyond the fringes of "normalcy." How much does our attitude of "play" contribute to our art making, and how far can we go when we lose ourselves in reverie? Strange Contraptions examines the superfluous narrative of construction, as in a Rube Goldberg machine--the visual layers, or strategies, that make up a process. The work(s) in this exhibition carry the attitude and aesthetic of complexity over simplicity regarding design, and communicates to the viewer the raw and inventive motion of our streaming imagination.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Brian Gyson's Dream Machine
the dream machine from Brian Gyson was a 78 turn table with a tube placed on top of it that had cut outs and in the middle of the 78 record player turn table was a light bulb. Gyson died in 1986 alone and in poverty in Paris (we should all be so lucky!) He was an artist and co- conspirator with William Burroughs and gave the concept of cut - ups to Burroughs as a gift.
Monday, April 11, 2011
question
so I guess what is running through my head is - how to bring in (curate) items that not only fall under the title of "Strange Contraptions" but how "We" as students can realistically obtain the ideal item and guarantee its delivery and safe return (logistics) and doing so with zero money and with the given of this is a one night only show - (what is available for one night - that can be obtained and set up in a gallery) two artist I have contacted - well - it appears that this concept is not in their financial interest. On the other hand - it would be a positive step forward for a student here or beginning artist. Exactly - what can we gallery students can identifyto bring in to the gallery ? I see a lot of great definitions but what can be presented as concrete and realistic to put on display?
Contraption (definition of)
2 definitions that I found for CONTRAPTION:
1)Contraption (noun) -a mechanical contrivance; gadget; device.
2) Contraption (noun) - a machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated, and often badly made or unsafe.
_________________________________________________________________________
Some Background information:
—Related forms
con·trap·tious, adjective
Sunday, April 10, 2011
This is an adaptation of the famous Francisco Goya painting entitled Saturn devouring his sons. This adaptation is from Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, this piece was made entirely out of garbage from one of the biggest landfills called Jardim Gramacho located in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The artist Vik Muniz spent two years in Rio De Janeiro while he completed his collection made from the garbage that was found at the landfill. His entire process and journey to completing each of his pieces can be seen on the Oscar nominated film Waste Land.
Ai Weiwei's Doors
Ai Wei Wei's void of a Chinese temple shaped by the discarded traditional wooden door matches the loss of both religion and small houses in the wave of China's construction boom.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
SIGN THIS PETITION TO CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF AI WEIWEI
SIGN THIS PETITION TO CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF AI WEIWEI
http://www.change.org/petitions/call-for-the-release-of-ai-weiwei
On April 3, internationally acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was detained at the Beijing airport while en route to Hong Kong, and his papers and computers were seized from his studio compound.
We members of the international arts community express our concern for Aihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif’s freedom and disappointment in China’s reluctance to live up to its promise to nurture creativity and independent thought, the keys to “soft power” and cultural influence.
Our institutions have some of the largest online museum communities in the world and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation launched this online petition to our collective millions of Facebook fans and Twitter followers. By using Ai Weiwei’s favored medium of “social sculpture,” we hope to hasten the release of our visionary friend.
Please sign and spread the word: http://www.change.org/petitions/call-for-the-release-of-ai-weiwei
38 Thousand Inches: http://youtu.be/S3eqKClTdZU
38 Thousand Inches: http://youtu.be/S3eqKClTdZU: "http://youtu.be/S3eqKClTdZU"
strange contraptions
My point of a strange contraption: an invention or something that has been created that that we never thought never needed or was never considered done. An invention of some sort that when looked at you ask yourself why was this made for? , what is the purpose of it? ... what is the point of this certain invention?...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Brain storming versus concrete ideas for Strange Contraptions
eye catching, deserving of a second look and closer inspection or consideration, thought provoking - well that is the best I can think of in the brain storming department - now how about some concrete ideas.......I have 2 that I would like to present and also _ i would like to use this time to tell Elizabeth - that I would be happy to wonder to any and all places in long beach to photograph and compile as many of unusual bike racks that she and I can both Identify - sounds like fun!
eye catching, deserving of a second look and closer inspection or consideration, thought provoking - well that is the best I can think of in the brain storming department - now how about some concrete ideas.......I have 2 that I would like to present and also _ i would like to use this time to tell Elizabeth - that I would be happy to wonder to any and all places in long beach to photograph and compile as many of unusual bike racks that she and I can both Identify - sounds like fun!
Webster definition of Strange
1strange
adj \ˈstrānj\strang·erstrang·est
Definition of STRANGE
1
a archaic : of, relating to, or characteristic of another country : foreignb : not native to or naturally belonging in a place : of external origin, kind, or character
2
a : not before known, heard, or seen : unfamiliarb : exciting wonder or awe : extraordinary
3
a : discouraging familiarities : reserved, distantb : ill at ease
So here is the definition for Strange and some synonyms to help further understand the subject.
I would like to hear your own definition of strange, it can be an example of whats strange to you such as kittens wearing socks that clean the floor, or simple thoughts have fun with it.
Definition of CONTRAPTION
Definition of CONTRAPTION
: device, gadget
See contraption defined for English-language learners »
Examples of CONTRAPTION
The people wondered how the contraption worked.
Origin of CONTRAPTION
perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention
First Known Use: circa 1825
Related to CONTRAPTION
Synonyms: appliance, gadget, contrivance, gimmick, gizmo (also gismo), jigger, widget
[+]more
Rhymes with CONTRAPTION
: device, gadget
See contraption defined for English-language learners »
Examples of CONTRAPTION
The people wondered how the contraption worked.
Origin of CONTRAPTION
perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention
First Known Use: circa 1825
Related to CONTRAPTION
Synonyms: appliance, gadget, contrivance, gimmick, gizmo (also gismo), jigger, widget
[+]more
Rhymes with CONTRAPTION
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
a few thoughts about blogging and internet use in general
Reasons for not actively blogging :
• A Growing Epidemic
Research on Internet addiction originated in the US by Dr. Kimberly Young. In 1996, she presented the first paper on the topic at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference held in Toronto entitled, “Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Disorder”. Since then, studies have documented Internet addiction in a growing number of countries such as Italy, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Reports also indicate that Internet addiction has become a serious public health concern in China, Korea, and Taiwan. Treatment centers have emerged across the US and abroad.
It is difficult to estimate how widespread the problem is. A national study conducted by a team from Stanford University’s School of Medicine estimates that nearly one in eight Americans suffer from at least one sign of problematic Internet use.
Internet addiction will now be included in the appendix in the upcoming revision of the DSM-V.
Signs of Internet Addiction
Dr. Kimberly Young has likened Internet addiction to addictive syndromes similar to impulse-control disorders on the Axis I Scale of the DSM. She developed the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ) to diagnose the disorder. Meeting five of the following symptoms were considered necessary to be diagnosed.
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
5. Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
6. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
7. Have you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
8. Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
Other Symptoms Include:
• Failed attempts to control behavior
• Heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and Internet activities
• Neglecting friends and family
• Neglecting sleep to stay online
• Being dishonest with others
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, anxious, or depressed as a result of online behavior
• Physical changes such as weight gain or loss, backaches, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome
I’ll probably take myself off the computer grid of all the social networking sites as well this semester – on top of this – a lot of what I put in the search for google is catagorized and your search term is sent to that site, along withmy browser & computer info which can often uniquely identify me! - That's creepy, but who cares about some random site? Those sites usually have third-party ads, and those third-parties build profiles about me, and that's why those ads follow me everywhere. That's creepy too, but who cares about some ads? =my profile can also be sold, and potentially show up in unwanted places, like insurance, credit & background checks But there's more.- If I recall my previous searches=Google also saves them. Your saved searches can be legally requested, and then come back to bite me (happens).- Or a bad Google employee could go snooping (happens). Or Google could get hacked (happens).So I will use DuckDuckGo instead.
• A Growing Epidemic
Research on Internet addiction originated in the US by Dr. Kimberly Young. In 1996, she presented the first paper on the topic at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference held in Toronto entitled, “Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Disorder”. Since then, studies have documented Internet addiction in a growing number of countries such as Italy, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Reports also indicate that Internet addiction has become a serious public health concern in China, Korea, and Taiwan. Treatment centers have emerged across the US and abroad.
It is difficult to estimate how widespread the problem is. A national study conducted by a team from Stanford University’s School of Medicine estimates that nearly one in eight Americans suffer from at least one sign of problematic Internet use.
Internet addiction will now be included in the appendix in the upcoming revision of the DSM-V.
Signs of Internet Addiction
Dr. Kimberly Young has likened Internet addiction to addictive syndromes similar to impulse-control disorders on the Axis I Scale of the DSM. She developed the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ) to diagnose the disorder. Meeting five of the following symptoms were considered necessary to be diagnosed.
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
5. Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
6. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
7. Have you lied to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet?
8. Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
Other Symptoms Include:
• Failed attempts to control behavior
• Heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and Internet activities
• Neglecting friends and family
• Neglecting sleep to stay online
• Being dishonest with others
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, anxious, or depressed as a result of online behavior
• Physical changes such as weight gain or loss, backaches, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome
I’ll probably take myself off the computer grid of all the social networking sites as well this semester – on top of this – a lot of what I put in the search for google is catagorized and your search term is sent to that site, along withmy browser & computer info which can often uniquely identify me! - That's creepy, but who cares about some random site? Those sites usually have third-party ads, and those third-parties build profiles about me, and that's why those ads follow me everywhere. That's creepy too, but who cares about some ads? =my profile can also be sold, and potentially show up in unwanted places, like insurance, credit & background checks But there's more.- If I recall my previous searches=Google also saves them. Your saved searches can be legally requested, and then come back to bite me (happens).- Or a bad Google employee could go snooping (happens). Or Google could get hacked (happens).So I will use DuckDuckGo instead.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
AN IDEA TOSSED FOR "UNUSUAL CONTRAPTIONS"
Steampunk Couture is the result of a beautiful marriage of Neo-Victorian wear and our post-apocalyptic future.
"Born wet and wide-eyed as a literary genre near the end of the last century, "steampunk" is just a word encompassing a litany of sins.
The flagrant coupling of Victorian aesthetic, and phantastic technology. A dash of swashbuckle, a pinch of pathos, simmer until stirred or disturbed.
At this point my interest begins to drop as – having to curate would mean having to purchase versus create and time, juggling school schedule – does not permit such a luxury
So on to the next possibility
Let’s curate from what is around us
I’ve a plan to invite Sherrie – the volunteer at the Art office and engage her about her doll ring .(now on display at the metal work gallery) Now that is an unusual contraption! I will encourage her to elaborate about its concetption and imagery and submit the finished results to the class as my best foot forward for our class final project
A second idea – would be to define unusual (as it pertains to the focus of our final project)
What do we, what can we identify as a resource of unusual creations within the parameters of this school now or within the city of Long Beach?
"Born wet and wide-eyed as a literary genre near the end of the last century, "steampunk" is just a word encompassing a litany of sins.
The flagrant coupling of Victorian aesthetic, and phantastic technology. A dash of swashbuckle, a pinch of pathos, simmer until stirred or disturbed.
At this point my interest begins to drop as – having to curate would mean having to purchase versus create and time, juggling school schedule – does not permit such a luxury
So on to the next possibility
Let’s curate from what is around us
I’ve a plan to invite Sherrie – the volunteer at the Art office and engage her about her doll ring .(now on display at the metal work gallery) Now that is an unusual contraption! I will encourage her to elaborate about its concetption and imagery and submit the finished results to the class as my best foot forward for our class final project
A second idea – would be to define unusual (as it pertains to the focus of our final project)
What do we, what can we identify as a resource of unusual creations within the parameters of this school now or within the city of Long Beach?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
quote
Art, like the universe itself ... has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival." C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Bergamot Station
http://bergamotstation.com/explore.php
We will meet at ShoshanaWayne Gallery in Bergamot Station on Friday, March 25th, 10 AM.
2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404.
We will meet at ShoshanaWayne Gallery in Bergamot Station on Friday, March 25th, 10 AM.
2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
visit to venice
A visit to venice beach is always a surprise to the tourist, stores and even random acts that constantly change. i happen to go last weekend and took a couple of pictures and found it quite interesting how people come together with music and act in random ways ...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Help with Reception
This time lets sign up to help with the reception in two different shifts.
First shift is for set up, 5-7PM, and second shift is 7-9PM.
Let me know on Tuesday during class.
First shift is for set up, 5-7PM, and second shift is 7-9PM.
Let me know on Tuesday during class.
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