Fanny Dynamic

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Journal of Contemporary Art

An excerpt from an interview with Kiki Smith:

McCormick: Part of what makes your art so powerful and resonant is that it has a remarkable simplicity, directness, and purity that challenges the viewer to wonder why. Why this stomach? Whose stomach? Why is it alone and solitary in space? Why is it made of glass? People have to ask themselves what is it that it's making them feel or think, and why. By not telling the audience what it means, it remains provocatively nonspecific. We may try to read some particular, absolute significance, intention, meaning, or reason behind the work but, in fact, it's simply basic fascination.

Smith: Yeah, I always liked the idea of making things that are really open, that everybody can come to with their own ideas and responses. Everybody already knows everything. You make an object and it's just like saying, "Pay attention to this!" or "Concentrate on this for a moment!" — like a mantra. You already have your own references and you can come to your own associations. Hopefully something in it resonates with enough things that you can think about your own life. I have probably very specific personal reasons for doing things that sometimes I know about and sometimes I don't, but I don't necessarily find it all that interesting to tell people why.

-keo

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

the rebbe rabbi

on the phone with kelley talking about different theories on premixing your colors. This is an example of a painting where the pre-mixed colors, the neutral acrylic background color, and the inspiration came together in under an hour. When my dad was done hanging laundry, this was done and I have loved it the entire way. The Rebbe was a miracle worker on this earth and I listened to hebrew music as I painted to get in his "zone". It was a commissioned painting. but I like it so much that I have it hanging on my wall while she thinks I'm varnishing it...

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Winslow Homer

The West Wind, 1891

oil on canvas 30x44 in.

It may not look so great here, but if you take a trip to the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, MA...it will be a different experience. I promise. This is one of those paintings that makes your chest swell inside a little bit.

-keo

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Art DiMambro

Nadja recently reminded me that I have not posted the Lewis' grandfather's work! Arna's dad is a huge inspiration to me. His paintings burst with expression and a knowledge of color... Here are just a few that I could find online. The rest can be seen stockpiled in his basement in Durham, dressing the walls of their lakehouse in New Hampshire and doled out between his four daughters and their families.

keo

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Wax Woman

Sculpted from wax, 'she' was lit as a candle. It was made by the A.F. Vandevorst fashion design house and displayed at the Arnhem Mode Biennale, an art and fashion show held this past July.

-keo