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Emerging Artists who Caught My Eye Part III
Monday, March 29, 2010 at 03:19PM 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. diaz
A 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 Bissell
That 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
Reader Comments (15)
This exhibit is beautiful! It's so creative, and it really takes you out- of- the- box. As for the question, I think about loyalty a lot, I guess, I guess it makes a difference in my life. I guess it just kicks me once in a while, but I'm not totally sure. I think I still have to explore myself to find out what loyalty means to me.
I would love to see this with my own eyes!!! I´m too far away so thanks for sharing!
Thank you for taking me on your artistic journey. I love the above installation and really love the pic you took of the artist. It makes an interesting shot (and a creative story in my head) when you crop out the artist and leave but the slihouettes and scenery. There is such a great peace in the imagery. It truly must have been a treat to experience first hand.
As far as your question....hmmmm....that is not as simple of an answer as I initially thought. I am a VERY loyal person but it is not automatic all the time. I guess its a result of being burned by family and friends that I had displayed my loyalty to without a second thought and when the tides were to come in my direction....lets just say that the current was unpleasant. In some instances I feel its automatic lwith family but then logic kicks in and I slow down enough to think before I am quick to give my loyalty to certain members. I will say that I am passionate about loyalty otherwise I could not have been susceptible to the emotional anguish of being hurt by others who failed in being loyal to me. I guess at times there is a price for being loyal. "sigh"
this is my favorite of the 3
Wow! Amazing! I would love to see that on person.
That looks so pretty! It seems so real i would love to stay in a room like that! Pretending that your wherever you want to be then actually having a realistic visual around you! it looks like you could just walk right into the wall! how relaxing. Anywho yor question... i suppose it kicks in once in a while but im not to sure about it i never really think about loyalty it just slips my mind. lol xoxoxoxoxoxo LOVES YA!
Rina
Loyalty is part of me, it's an intrinsic part of who I am. Being fiercely loyal can have it downs side but at least those I care for know I'm there for them. However I don't know many truly loyal people, there are literally a handful of people in my life I consider loyal and that's a bit sad.
The installation piece is intriguing, I like it. I think I have only seen installation work in person once, not something I have had a lot of access to.
I wish I am there, this installation is genius, conratulation to Eric Bissell.
I am sorry, I don't really understand your question but for me loyalty is the result from an intensive and mutually beneficial (i get this words from google translate) relationship. I think I am a loyal person... I wear the same brand of face powder for almost 20 years.
Thank You..
Wow! That's amazing! That's my favorite out of all of them.
Regarding your ??? I live my life being loyal to others however alot of people live for themselves now a days. Loyalty doesn't play a role in lots of peoples lives anymore.
wow, really interesting exhibit. i wish i could have seen a photo of the couch with the interview with a soldier. loyalty... good question. wow, well i have been very conscious about this lately. people say nasty things about one another when it comes to the college process. someone, who you thought was someones friend, says that her bff didn't deserve to get in wherever. it's really like strange how people will turn on one another so easily. i feel loyal to a few people who i know would be loyal to me. as for everyone else, i try to say more positive than negative.
wow, the first exhibit is so cool! the other two... somehow feel less interactive.
Loyalty... I'm a pretty loyal person... I don't betray friends, or tell them lies if I think it would be bad to lie to them.
I was thinking about loyalty the other day and I can safely say that I am a truly loyal person especially to the ones I love. However I think the word loyalty doesn't even exist in some people's vocabulary anymore which is sad.
That is really cool, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing much installation art in real life yet. Although I went to a really cool exhibition a few weeks ago.
That's a though question. I do think loyalty is slowly fading away a little. It's still a part of most people, but more on the down low I guess. Not something people think about or something that involves sacrifices. But to a certain extend, it is still there absolutely.
I think that loyalty is something that is found in everyone...but in some it is weaker and others it is overpowering. But really what is loyalty? Is it waiting everyday at the same place and time for that someone to arrive home from work like my dog? Or is it following an order g that you don’t believe in but know you need to do? I think that loyalty weans in people because they have been programmed by other ideas and concepts. i.e. money will get you everything you need. My family has always been there for me and I will always be there for them. I think that I am a loyal individual because I was brought up as one. I remember when I was having a terrible time in elementary school my sister told me that no matter what she would always stand behind me and believe me and fight with me. I asked what if it was my fault or if I did something terrible, she said that it doesn’t matter. I am her family and she will always support me…no matter what.
that art was beautiful! i could feel the essence of the ocean one. really relaxing!