Christian Boltanski.

Boltanski was born in Paris, France in 1944. His formal education ended at the age of twelve and it was at that age that his career as an artist began. He creates installations with various materials.He uses obituary photographs, turning them into mini memorials, sometimes placing them on boxes, hanging them on clear walls with lighting within them or shining on them. The effect is an almost religious one, reminding me of prayer candles one lights in Catholic churches.
He also collects lost property from places such as train stations then transforms them into an art piece and forever memorializes the long forgotten owners. In interviews he asserts he is "lazy" and "does not love being an artist" but does not know what else to do with his time. He waits, doing mundane things, like watching television until inspiration strikes, only then will he begin a new work.

Kiki Smith

Kiki Smith is a multi media artist, born in 1954. Among the different mediums she chooses to work in are,bronze,wax,clot, handmade paper and glass. After the death of her father in 1980, Smith investigated themes of mortality and decay.Building on this and her work as an EMT in 1985 her pieces seemed to represent the curiousity she finds around these topics.
She likes to have her art left to the interpretations of the viewer, and may leave work untitled. She believes in the process of her work and allows it to evolve into a finished piece.

Bones Of the Master. George Crane.

1. Fifteen words that describe the story
Quiet,ritual,silken,exceptance,assured,brave,belief,enduring,hope,inspiring, peace,resiliant,mist,honest,awakening.

2. Colors I see.
Pale blue,olive green,ash grey,paynes grey,deep crimson, flamed orange,sand,earth/dirt brown.

3.Specific Scene.
On the very first page Tsung Tsai is waking hours before the first morning light. He's alone in his cell which is six feet by nine feet and made of stone.He lights a candle for light and warmth and neighbors his meager possesions of a sleeping pad, blanket roll and a prized book of poems.
The solitude of the cell and his minimal belongings are at the same time haunting and calming. You can almost touch the peacefulness of his surroundings as they resonate with his inner quiet.

4.Thinking of Tsung Tsai.
I see Tsung Tsai as a small compact man, built in such a way as to accomodate only his basic needs and no more. If he were a color I would beleive him to be a deep regal red.The colllection of verses,"A Thousand Pieces of Snow" which he holds so dear give clues to tsais true nature and spiritual essance. He is a man of deep compassion and wisdom. He is at peace, self-assured and resolved.

5.George Crane.
George is tall,lean and still learning to be comfortable within his own skin. If he were a color I would paint him with burnt umber mixed with yellow ochre. Hungry as an artist, George is searching for the missing pieces that will help him create the work he aspires to.Through his relationship with Tsai he begins to see pieces of himself revealed and possibilities in reaching a place where his talents can shine thru begin to emurge.

Design Exhibit at the I.C.A Boston.

During a visit to the I.C.A. where an exhibit of modern designers were featured I found myself drawn to the work of artist, David Wiseman. Surrounded by an assembalence of modern works, Wisemans' sculptures appeared timeless and organic.
A recent graduate of RISD Wiseman, who grew up in Pasadena, California draws on the subtleties of nature, calling it an "essential element" in his work.
The three vases shown at the museum are beautiful examples of his understanding of natural form and the effects light plays on his asymmetrical forms. Without touching the pieces you can sense the smooth, clean texture of the Porcelain vases and the continuity of the repeated geometric forms on the bronze vase. The pale color value of the pink and cream vessels are liked to properties of sea-worn stone.
In addition to vases Wiseman makes water based resin castings of collected fallen branches all colored white. In a recent commission he attached these casting to the ceiling of a dining room. Grouped together they form a relief, seemingly in motion, to which he adds hundreds of sculptured porcelain blossoms, creating a trompe l'oeil of an out stretched garden scene.

Workshop with Pema Rinzin

Pema Rinzin is a master Tibetan tanka painter and I was lucky enough to attend his workshop here at Mass Art where he is an Artist in residence. On First glance the paintings he has hanging in the gallery are beautiful yet seem simplistic. Thoughts of simplicity fade quickly as you look closer and hear him talk and then demonstrate the art of Tanka painting.
To master the technique one must first study with a master and learn the intricate ways of line movement to then render meticulous sketches. Pema explained the process of preparing the tibetan canvas, readying them to receive the precious stone paint, that can take up to a week to complete. Once the canvas is ready and the sketches are inked the layering of color can commence. Starting with lighter colors he works up to the most intense pigment then finally gold.
The true beauty of these paintings is realized when you watch Pema crush and grind the precious stones into the most vibrant colors to make the paint. He explained such colors can only be found in nature. The pictures are painted with such precision and controlled line and movement you can't help but feel their energy.

Zorn Color Collage