Bay Honors Consortium Honors Research Symposium

Today is the second lecture in two years I am giving at UC Berkeley for the Bay Honors Symposium. What makes today extra special however is presenting the only visual art, performance work in front of a large audience with my partner of 10 years. This is a wonderful way to cap what has been a tumultuous academic year. It's been one of the best and one of the most challenging yet but here we are still standing. Today should prove to be a wonderful day. There are 81 selected presenters showcasing their year of research on an abundance of topics ranging from the sciences, art history, to history, social issues and now visual art. I am excited for what the day will bring.

Check out the Symposium info below.

http://www.losmedanos.edu/honors/research/

RISD Bound!

It's Official! 

RISD aka The Rhode Island School of Design will be my new home for the next few years! I couldn't be more thrilled to join their Jewelry and Metalsmithing Program on scholarship. The icing on top of course is that my partner was also accepted. I cannot wait to continue my work at such a prestigious and well loved school. The move can't come soon enough! What a dream come true!!!

Cai Guo-Qiang's Exhibition Film w/ Volunteers

What an honor it was to participate in the creation of works for the Geffen in LA. I will treasure the time I spent working with Cai Guo-Qiang. Here is a short film that is currently playing in the exhibition that illustrates Cai's process. The short film also captures the energy of the workers around him from his incredible studio staff and volunteers to the pyrotechnic teams. Just a wondrous and magical time.

Cai Guo-Qiang: Two Weeks After Sky Ladder Opening

The MOCA did an amazing job as host and facilitator for Cai Guo-Qiang's newest exhibition entitled Sky Ladder. I love especially that they caught the ignition of 40,000 fireworks from a multitude of angles. What a stunning way to capture such an amazing event. Two weeks gone from LA and I am still learning more about myself through this experience. I am inspired. Click the link below for MOCA's website. I'm sure you will be as impressed as I.

http://www.moca.org/mysterycircle/

Upcoming Show at the de Young Museum

April is proving to be a very busy month indeed. Midterms are over now but there are so many events to prepare for, the first of which is a massive student art showcase at the de Young Museum. My work entitled "Continua" was chosen for this juried show and there will be cash prizes given out that evening. Fingers crossed that mine is a winner. This is a momentous honor for me to be included and from such a large pool of talent. More event details to follow...

Below is the link to the event information and the pics of the piece that will be showcased.

Matter! 16th Annual New Generations Showcase April 20th @ 6pm at the de Young Museum

http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/calendar/matter-16th-annual-new-generations-student-showcase

Continua (close up)

Continua

Cai Guo-Qiang: A Return to LA

After a month away from Los Angeles, I arrived earlier this week for the 4/7 opening of Cai Guo-Qiang's amazing Mystery Circle at the Geffen Contemporary in Los Angles. He had mentioned in March that he would be setting off 40,000 rockets, away from the museum wall and towards the crowds. It was my observation that the crowds numbered in the thousands with folks lined up all around the Geffen Contemporary to get in. To say that it was mind blowing would be an understatement. Take a look at the pictures below and you'll see what I mean.

Above: The Ignition of Mystery Circle

Above: The second Ignition of Mystery Circle, 

a little reserved surprise from Cai.

A Simple Statement

The news has been churning out such nastiness and the world seems it's been turned on its head, so I will combat that today with beauty. Simple lines and curves do so much to inspire me. These are recent creations of mine made of fine silver and they are very weighty. I love a solid, big statement piece, so here is my challenge to the day's nastiness. A bold idea.