Art Thoughtz By Jayson Musson aka Hennessy Youngman

One of my recent obsessions has been watching the videos made by Hen Roc Obama aka Hennessy Youngman. He is a critical thinker and fine artist who knows the art world well. Check one of his most popular videos below.  

Here is Jayson discussing his new work and the Hennessy Project.

On Exploits

Well, this week has shaped up to be a hum dinger and it is only just newly Wednesday. I have been developing black and white photography with a serious vengeance and have enjoyed the process immensely since beginning an intro to photo class for this years Wintersession. I was also able to apply to three art shows in a matter of minutes this evening which is to say that there is always something to be done to push yourself ahead. I don't know if I will be shown in these shows. I will certainly be considered just for entering so there is that. What I would like to briefly say, before getting back to more homework is that there are always exploits awaiting. Make it count, always show up, because not everyone has the stamina to make the effort, and believe me you can cash in when others cash out, so with that, I retire my pen for tonight as I retire to my bed and get rest for what can only be described as a hectic day ahead. New job, and meeting, a photo critique and meetings in the afternoon. I pray I know my name come Friday, but then again, Garcia and I have much to do ahead with our sculpture for the RISD Museum.

TTFN - Ta Ta For Now

My parting gift is an image below of a piece I created this evening, but have been thinking about for sometime. It is fabricated with all Heath Ceramics. More to come...

RISD Events & the Importance of Being There

I worked as an intern for a wonderful Jewelry and Metalsmith who graduated from RISD while I was still living in San Francisco. I asked her what she regretted most about the experience because I knew that she loved the school but stayed tucked away in studio much of the time, which in reality is a very easy thing to have happen especially with the rigor of the school. 

She told me that her largest regret was not going to events that happened around campus. She rarely went to openings, gatherings, lectures and theater performances, nor participated with groups and clubs. After hearing this I vowed that if I got into RISD, I would not only jump into those events, but also attend as many events as I could without it interfering too much with my work. 

My rule is that when I go to these events I have to find a poster or flyer from the event, roll it up and keep it in a safe place. Then when I ask myself what the hell else I did beyond classes, I can open the rolls and track where I have been. I will say that currently I have a nice bunch collected and some of these posters are artworks all in and of themselves. 

Here is what I will be into this week for starters. One lecture and also new submissions for a show at the RISD Museum.

Moral of the story here is despite the rigor, there is always time if you make it. Always. And the project won't blow up or be less amazing if you take an hour to go hear someone talk about something other than what you know or have an expertise in. 

Case in point, hearing last year a lecture by Sally Mann and then meeting her afterward. She was AMAZING!!! 

I knew little of photography before meeting her, except that I loved Herb Ritts, Man Ray, Richard Avedon and Robert Mapplethorpe. She inspired me so much. I was so impacted by her that I began a black and white photo class this Wintersession. Below are some of her incredible works.

Pin It!!! And I Ain't Talking Pinterest!

The project that I detailed in the previous posting has been taking on a life of its own. I had so many people respond to my posting asking to participate that it has driven me to extend the project and so I have opened it up more broadly. This does a few things, the least of which is create much more work, but I don't see the problem in that. I have had the pleasure of discovering some incredible details about the lives of people I know and have been brought closer to some that I have not had contact with for a while. This is all win win on my end. 

It is sacred, this exchange of deeply personal information. What could be more personal than sharing intimate details about one's life and then having another individual (me) create an artistic interpretation of that detail and also keeping in mind the personality of the individual and fashion something that is true to them in an artistic format? 

This has moved me so deeply and really has made an impression where I want to begin adding an element of action, or exchange to my work. I am excited by what I am learning about myself and others.

What I will say about this project at this current point is that there are 30 people in all participating. I have fabricated the work of almost half of that group in the last few days. It has taken me longer but that is only due to classes starting for RISD Wintersession, so I am doing what I can with the time allotted. 

With that body of work already crafted I am taking time to house them and send them in a thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing way. I am a believer that the reveal is just as powerful as what is revealed so all is considered here. I have made a series, in that not only are there 30 pieces being made, but I am cataloguing the process by making duplicate works. The person who I am having the exchange with gets one work, and I keep the other. So, in essence this is a double series. A group of 30, and a duplicate of the 30. With the pieces I keep I will note who they went to, where and will create a structure that will house the works. They will be carded on the structure just as you see in the photo below. From there, who knows what twist and turns the project will take.

All I know is there is room for a broader piece here, mapping, communion with friends, etc. I couldn't be more pleased at this point.

Felix Gonzalez-Torres and New Artwork in the Making

A classmate of mine from high school in North Carolina and I ran into each other in the Mission District of San Francisco a decade + after graduation and we chatted for a while. She remembered me giving her earrings many moons ago. I loved and still love making art works for people. For decades I have beaded together earrings or necklaces for others. Generous is what I've been told, almost to a fault at times, but I love sharing. I ask for nothing in return.

Over the years my techniques have become more sophisticated and my projects have moved from beading to fabrication and metal work. I thought I would become a master metalsmith and I still could. Funny how the world redirects you. I discovered that I was working in jewelry only to move into sculpture which frees me from working so very small. I Love Sculpting. Period.

So, after New Years this year I had seen posting on Facebook where friends of mine where creating a craft chain. If you posted to their wall, they would craft something for you and then you had to post it on your wall and make works for your friends. Inspired by this, I decided to make a small line of wearable art that is inspired by the favorite things of ten friends. That number quickly grew as folks wanted to participate. The stipulation was to pay it forward, in any way one wants. Overhear someone who had a bad day in the coffee line, but them a coffee. Have a friend who could really use an outing, take them to a movie. You get the drift. Pay it forward in kindness in the new year.

I have already begun the process of making and I am loving it! It allows me to get to know my friends better and creates a time based operation. All pieces have to ship out in January.

Then it hit me!

Isn't this in a way what Felix Gonzalez-Torres does in many of his works? He breaks down the 3rd wall and reels you in.

Gonzalez-Torres Portrait of Ross

He creates work that begs you to take it with you. The viewer activates the work. We see this again and again. Sharing, performance, collaboration, it's all there!

And then he goes and does this!!!

Gonzalez-Torres "Untitled" (Golden)

One of my favorite works in existence! This is in the SFMoMA's collection and requires the viewer to walk through it.

So what does Gonzalez-Torres have to do with the project I am currently working on?

He has inspired me to push myself to add elements of exchange into my work. This current project is one that is evolving into something so much bigger. My work may change in such a dramatic way because of this.

Exchange, kindness, meeting eye to eye and sharing. These will be key points in the coming works.

Two Words

Anne Truitt

Ceci n'est pas une pipe

There is much going on these days regarding work that can trick the eye aka trompe l'oeil. I have a fascination with these works whether it is Magritte's Treachery of Images or Picasso's Still Life with Chair Caning as seen below. What excites me is the trickery, the idea that what we see isn't really what we think we see. How delightful! 

Magritte's Treachery of Images

Picasso's Still Life with Chair Caning

García has introduced me to an incredible artist who, like my professor Kelly Goff has a keen fascination and skill for making objects that are familiar but whose materiality is the unknown, at least at first glimpse. Take Goff's Guardrail below, which is made entirely of paper.

Entering the arena is magnificent talent, Morgan Maclean, a splendid woodworker with a keen imagination. Rather than painting his illusions he finds objects that are understood, found objects that have been discarded and then he re-imagines them in stirringly real mediums, such as wood. He has created sculptural still lifes. If I could plunk down money right now, I would pluck up a work in a New York minute.

Maclean, Bottle

Though this object is no painted illusion it does embody a new kind of trickery, one that I find clever and compelling. And even sexy. Maclean makes these mundane objects slick and jazzed up. Check his works here...

http://morganmaclean.com/

or check his newest write-up in the LA Times here...

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-lh-morgan-maclean-artist-wood-20121207,0,2889438.story

Maclean, Figure Heads

Coolness

Just a simple picture of an artist that I adore and appreciate. Jean-Michel Basquiat's neo-expressionism was raw and readied. With his recently passing birthday (December 22) , sometimes you just need to reflect on those who have come before and who continue to inspire. Feast your eyes if you will on his absolute fabulousness. Check out his estate's website here...http://basquiat.com/

New Years Day! Happy 2013

Happy New Year to All!!! I am thankful for all the wonderful people in my world, all the experiences I have had thus far and I look forward to what is to come.

I will be brief as I have been in a whirlwind all day. Firstly, my hair is cut and looking dapper. I have painted a bit today and planned upcoming work. I have just started to enjoy my vacation and will resume classes next week. My bed is fluffy and well appointed and I am going to enjoy my rest and really get back into the swing of things tomorrow a la Chuck Close style, aka a regular 9-5 done the artists way.

One thing I will mention is I will be attending an exhibition opening this Friday at the Bromfield Gallery in Boston. Kelly Goff, my sculpture professor, will be exhibiting his work at the Bromfield Gallery in Boston. Check out his work below and the websites that correspond with his work and the gallery who is showing him. He is truly inspired and I feel lucky to know him.

Kelly Goff

Two Bags, 2012 - Cast Concrete

Kelly Goff

Ghost, 2012- Paper Cast of an Antique Grain Hopper

http://www.kellygoff.net/

or the gallery here

http://www.bromfieldgallery.com/exhibitions.html