Wednesday, November 9, 2011

While Rome burns.....

 Lusterstone, tin foil, pom-pom, and spray foam.



I can't seem to help myself (which is a more profoundly true statement than I intended).  So much is wrong in my making these things, and a couple days ago it hit me that I was standing in line at Hobby Lobby, a store I despise, purchasing pom-poms for these trivial trinkets. I had already had an internal discussion, and decided I would use mostly recycled materials, or materials I already had, or thrift store items, or dry donated paint skins.....and here I was buying pom-poms (I had already tried to not use pom-poms because Nomi does, and I love her work, and it seemed wrong for me to use them too......but I decided it was okay on that front).

I left the store and thought about hitting Walmart next door. I was hungry and I have been craving Whopper Jr.s ever since I had one a month ago, on a lark. Should I add a trip to Burger King to this outing?

I'm having a hard time reconciling my current impulses and desires with current events at all levels - personal, local, and global. For all my bluster about having come to terms with art for art's sake (with a thumbs up), I can't help but feel self-indulgent, and I can't really blame the current local art scene swing towards justifiable worthiness in art. That's really just someone else's issue. I believe things that engage me are meaningful, and that engaged human beings are good for mankind, in some undefined way.....but I'm engaged in making trinkets.

Still, there's this......


Mound by Allison Schulnik from garaco taco on Vimeo.

11 comments:

M.A.H. said...

I love them. Just yesterday I was saying how one of my rules was that I could do anything, but I had to stay on the canvas. Secretly, I want to make some object paintings though. They remind me of things I made before I had rules. nice.

Allison Schulnik rocks. Her show is on my list.

K. Gill said...

Yep, I saw that strange video, too. I forget who linked to it. Man Bartlett, maybe?

I think I know what you mean, all this social practice stuff... I've been feeling increasingly alienated by all of it. It's nice and all to do crafts with little kids, but I think it would be great to give local artists (i.e. painters and stuff) a hand as well, not just leave us standing around feeling awkward and useless.

PS I hate Hobby Lobby, too. They remind me too much of Chick-fil-a...

Carla said...

I've added some onto the shaped wood panels, and messed around. I'll post those soon I think. I haven't been able to photograph them very well.

I usually rebel against pressure to make art "meaningful" via extra-articular activities (smile), so I don't feel like those influences are bugging me any more than usual.

One the one hand, it seems crazy to goof around with art, with everything going on globally and personally (financially, same as for most everyone else). On the other hand, it's so cool to have the desire to keep making things, in spite of it all. I'm not entirely guilt-ridden, just a little conflicted. I have a feeling I know what will win out in the end.

Carla said...

Of course, now it seems self-indulgent for me to even be worrying about being self-indulgent....

Nomi Lubin said...

Um, I don't know what part of "non-compete clause" you don't understand...

My lawyer will be contacting you.

Carla said...

The pom-pom barrier has been breached in a big way, and I'm now eyeing the glitter glue....

Have you used flocking powder? Because I'm into that too.

Nomi Lubin said...

Well, I had to google flocking powder, so it's all yours. For the moment.

Elaine Mari said...

I finally got to see these on the computer. I saw them on the ipod, and I couldn't really see them. they are wonderful. wow, so great you are able to be so playful.. love. Would like to see better photos.

Elaine Mari said...

oh, and i like that video. beautiful

Kathy Hodge said...

I like your objects, and I've spent more time in my local craft chain store than I like to admit.

Love the video too, it reminded me of why I love claymation.

Carla said...

Thanks Kathy. I feel like I have about 20 years worth of repressed object-making that's surfacing.