Matthew Slaats

Zooming Out and then back in

2007-04-05T20:58:00.000-05:00

It is amazing to think about how over just the last few months my frame of reference has changed. Several months ago, I thought many of my interactions and engagments were totally temporary. But know I am thinking much more about how some of those connections can be strengthened and further developed. The main culprite in this is the work I've been doing with the Dia Art Foundation. A few months ago I harped on the fact that Dia was only supporting a legacy, but much of that understanding was based on a rudimentary notion of how the Foundation worked. Don't get me wrong, I still wished that they would support younger artists, but as I've grown to understand and admire how the foundation works. I just wished that there was a similar conduit for artists like me.

So what has been on my mind. One thing that I've been thinking about is American art. This is definitely influence by the conversations that I've had at Dia, but it is also come to the forefront of my thinking after leaving Singapore last fall. There was an opportunity to stay in Asia, which probably wasn't a bad idea. Though, I felt that I needed to return to the US to further engage what my identity and roots. I just didn't feel settled in Singapore. It was too exotic, so foreign. I needed to return and move to New York to be a part of what was happening in the US. To connect with an American art system and the communities that make it up. What I've realized is that there are no communities. Everyone is really in it for themselves. Maybe that is a bit hasty, but I haven't seem much yet. Will come back to that a year from now.

Maybe what it is more about is the ability to work. Right now, I'm extremely poor, which is forcing my work to remain on this mental/unmade level. That might be good. It allows it to ricochet around my head a bit longer. The ideas can grow and be nurtured a bit more. I've also started to plow through some reading. Even have the opportunity to do some writing. This is all great stuff and makes me excited about doing what I'm doing. Though, Singapore is in my head. Mainly because it would allow me create. I just need to find that balance where finances do not come in the way of studio time.

Back to American Art. I heard Chrissie Illes speak about Michael Heizer last week. She and others have spoke of his preoccupation with making an America Art. That is why he is out in the Nevada desert moving mountains. But what is American Art now? Highly educated curators at the Whitney Biennale are even having trouble trying to answer that question.
My take on this focus more about what I think it should be that what it might be. I think it should be about intersections and interactions. For me Heizer has disconnected himself in ways. He is continues to develop lines of thinking that date back to earlier work. I'm sure that the work will be amazing, even awe inspiring, but I do think that is what people are connected to these days. It will hark back to a past that Art historian love to talk about, but still doesn't respond to the present or try to make a change.

I'm cogniscent of technology, but artist who use technology rarely are able to create due to the restraints of the medium. With scientists trying to be creative, but never really grasping how to move beyond black and white. Much of the art I see is either A+B+C+D= Art or Look what I can do, but I'm unable to really say anything with it.

I've been going out on a limb for some time working with games. For me this is an American Art Form! While it has a big Asia influence there is still a divide between cultural output that allows it have a specific identity. Though I'm not just interested i in the visual aspects of games. My interest lies in the ability to function with in a mode of interaction. It is about doing and engaging in that action.

I think that I am working toward a manifesto here.
As my laptop is about to die - I'm going to add more later.

Zooming Out and then back in refers to our desire to sit back and watch things from afar. Staying away from engagment. I use to be scared of aggressive behavior, but that is what makes life interesting. Anyway more later.

Mad over Power

2007-03-07T10:59:00.000-06:00

Was finally able to get out of the house for some fun last night. Had good food, a cigar, and got to talk to some interesting people. That is what makes for a good night. Even had a British guy give me shit over my Arsenal scarf. He was good at taking the piss out of me, but in the end we had a good conversation about soccer. Learned he played for the NY Cosmos.

One thing that a friend and I spoke about last night was our lack of aggressive temperment. I have never been in a fight before. I was always the one being provoked, but in the end I was able to talk my way out it. This has happened as a kid in High School, even as a coach on the soccer field. When thinking about it from the other point of view, I don't even know what it would take to become aggressive. The easy answer is my family, but what else?

Now getting to the reason I'm writing. Watching the case against Scooter Libby has brought up thoughts of anger. I am getting sick of hearing how much certain people can get away with and still not have to face the consequences. It just underscores the fact that no one really cares about truth anymore. Maybe there never has been concrete truth, just as history is subjective. But, it is the manipulation of the truth is that I fear most. When I speak of truth though, I'm talking more toward how truth effects reality. The ability to make reality and never come to terms with it. As an artist, I understand this desire and ability, but I'm not making decisions about anyone elses life except myself. For me the ethicality and morality of such decision is much more of a crisis that the subjects of abortion or gay marriage. This is much deeper and sinister. I guess that is what our society has become. This is what makes me mad.

March 2007

2007-03-05T20:29:00.000-06:00

Coming and Going. I can never seem to catch myself. But every day seems just a little closer to where I do want to be.

I've again been thinking about the future and the past. Mainly trying not to make mistakes in an effort to get where I want to be. Thought that last weekend was a good step in that direction. Started an adjunct teaching stint. In the end it went well, but the process was quite painful. Realized that teaching is difficult and that it takes a lot of time and effort. Guess nothing in life is never easy. Though, I thought that teaching a game design course would come easier than most. The more I think about this, the more I realize where my sensibilites lie.

I had a talk today with another artist. We were discussing our development as artists. For the two of us it is going to be a long slow development. We both neither have the money nor the aggressive nature to become ArtStars. But in this process it becomes apparent how choices become very important. It is almost like forming an identity. If I chose to go one way then I become that person. The other way means being someone else. So, the question becomes what type of artist to I want to become? Who is it that I want to be? I'm feeling drawn to a specific answer, but that answer doesn't fit exactly. Again, it is somewhere in the middle. But the middle is a place where I'm hoping not to be. It is that grey area. I need something more definite. Especially when it is hard to define what it is I even do. It is everything and nothing at the same time. No one understands it. For me it's still hard to talk about it. I'm just hoping answers will come.

Gettn Around to It

2007-02-22T21:59:00.000-06:00

Was going to write about some ideas I had about conceptual art. But does it really matter. Ok, I'll sum it up quickly. Can art be only an idea? That want I've been dealing with. My answer is yes! No need to make anything ever again. Hurray. That takes a load off my mind. That's what grad school should have taught me. Maybe it did, it just took a year for me to realize it.

I've just discovered Lily Allen. Brit Pop has invaded my life. Wonder what it feels like being 21 and a music star. Must be nice to be making loads of money and travel the world. I'm happy to say that music has come back into my life and it feels amazing. Forgot how great it makes me feel and it's all around me.
Was wondering if everyone thinks that some day they will make it big. Well not big, maybe just do something important. I guess that is defined by the person. Once a guy told me that all I need to do is ONE BRILLIANT thing in art and you're set. It would be nice to do something brilliant. Wonder if I have it in me or not?
Right now, I just want to have a little fun. Would be nice to get out of dodge and take in some sites. Maybe find a bit of trouble. Or atleast make me think lit I'll get in trouble. I'm sick of having to be an adult. Guess that comes with the territory.
No, it doesn't. Being fun is a state of mind or a way of life. I tend to be a bit too serious. Another change to make in my life. Always evolving that my goal.

Good Day

2007-02-17T19:35:00.000-06:00

Today was one of those days where things fit into place and the neurons in my brain have been firing at full. Ideas have been ever present and I've even had the chance to devour some theory. It is the type of day that I want to have everyday, but life tends to get in the way.

Yesterday consisted of a meeting with a local artist and gallery owner. Went to visit her gallery and then was invited to have dinner with her and several friends. The short trip became an interesting night spent meeting really nice people. Mix in good food and a few beers, and you have a great time. Though being the youngest at the table, I felt at ease and a part of the dialogue. And what a dialogue it was. Ranging from architecture to art, we covered a lot ground. I kept making similarities to the conversations I have with friend and aquantances of my own age. These people had nothing to hide and it atleast seemed like honesty presided. You never know though.

Another discouragement in my present situation is that I feel as though young artists aren't willing to have a dialogue or converse on an honest level. People are always hiding behind words that are too complex and meaningless. I've always felt that this pervasing competitiveness that is in the art world really stifles what could happen. The last two weeks, I've been reading about the Situationists, a group creatively and politically motivated. When was the last time I had a conversation that was politically progressive and not just a spew of words from FOX, CNN, or the NY Times. Status Quo prevails. Again, it is all about talk and no action. That is what I miss, action. It is probably why I'm making work that gets back to physical activity and connections. It is this loss of connection between people and it's replacement with these fake, empty tendrils, that bothers me. I keep having a conversation with a guy at work, but it never gets past anything more than these very shallow interests we have.

With all the time I have been spending near works of art (I'm a gallery attendant), I have had time to think about some major artists and their work. It has given me time to concentrate on this work. I have lived with it so much so that I even know its flaws and how it will one day fall apart. What I see is moment in history. A moment that took place almost 40 years ago. Now it has become a relic of business transaction. A legacy of two people that spent a great sum of money to support that type of work. But what now? It becomes a tomb stone, a monument. An object that really know one cares for, except when they are told to do so. I wish more money was spent in creating work than in building this didactic history. What I do now is watch the slow decay of what was once a great idea. Now I get to interact with the people that are being paid to make that idea or value last as long as it can. Where is the true meaning or worth?

2007-02-15T19:08:00.000-06:00

In the last two hours, I've had several ideas to write about tonight. Though they escape me at this moment. Very typical for me.
A person that I knew in college emailed me today. She expressed a similarity of position between where she is and I am. There is comfort in know others are going through something similar. But, I'm wondering if that comfort is something that I should dwell on or a realization that it is just another way of anesthetizing an already moderate situation. It does feel nice to know that there are others, but part of me feels like that is just apathy. Actually, I'm just happy to hear from her. It was a very unselfish thing to do on her part and I am very thankful.

Again that idea of being boring or just falling in line with what I should become is present. It almost makes me want to revolt. Turning things on their head and radicalizing every aspect of my life. Though that would be too hard and irresponsible to those that I hold close. The question then becomes, can I find a point at which this need to break with the norm can fit with a life that needs stability. Can actions and ideas separate themselves. Maybe!

One of the characteristics that I admire about myself and that caused many problems in grad school is this need to break with or avoid the traditional. It has alway been about breaking connections and then trying to rebuild. What I'm realizing is that this breaking has led to a lot of loss. Loss that I feel can never return. That is something which I don't want to see happen. I want to become a more social person. Not the artist in his studio, having conversations with himself. But, a person partaking in a larger discussion. But where is this discussion?

Maybe it is something that I have to build on my own. That is actually my goal over the next few months. To begin a dialogue that grows into something larger.

Beginning Anew

2007-02-14T13:40:00.001-06:00

Since last October, I have really felt like there has not been much to discuss via this blog. My life has been in total transition. I haven't accomplished any real work and each day goes by without a feeling of having gotten any further than I was the day before. Maybe this is exactly what I needed after Singapore. A dose of real life. The realization that this won't be easy. Maybe it is time to review what I've been doing and take stock of where I want to go.

I have 5 months or so, until I turn 30. It's not significant in any terms, but it has made me think about what I want to accomplish in life. People I know are making gobs of money, having secure lives, with a home, cars, an retirement account. Though when talking to these same people, I feel like they have sold their lives for a typical suburban American dream. One the I find extremely boring. Then you have a life like mine, where I've been jumping around. Doing this and that. My guess is that it is finally time to sit and think about what I really want out of my life. In the difficult times, I realize how easy choices are to make, yet the consequences later are hard to deal with.

Coming into this year, I've been very excited. That excitement comes in the hope that positive things will happen this year. Though, I understand that we all hope for the best and believe that something new is around the corner. My conclusion on this is that good things come to those who put themself in the position to succeed. It doesn't happen by waiting. Part of me feels like that is exactly what I'm doing, waiting. This might be a realization that you don't succeed for having good ideas, they must be realized and marketed to the right people.

Now, it is just going to take the initiative to make those things happen and create the person that I really want to be. I know that person. There is a vague picture of him in my mind. It is just a matter of inventing a process to make that happen. This year will go along way to accomplishing just that.

Bitch and Moan

2006-12-04T21:25:00.000-06:00

There are moments in my life where what is great in me comes out. Then days where the worst is present. Days where I doubt myself and days when I'm the most confident person in the world. Last week I had moments where I just wanted to curl up and tuck myself way into some hole and I had to make a conscious decision to not let myself do that. The past was making itself present and getting down about the future. So, I vented a bit and got it out of my system.

This week has been good. I'm starting a new freelance gig tomorrow with a cabinetmaker. This weekend I'll be helping out at Eyebeam with a workshop and then next week I've got an interview at a CC. So, things are moving along. I've also decided to throw myself into trying to substitute teach. While it's not the most lucrative job, it is getting to something that I've always wanted. That is to be involved in education. I was thinking about it as I filled out paper work and it just seems like back in my mind, what I've always wanted to do was teach. While not the only reason,it was the main reason I went to grad school. When seeing a soccer game earlier this fall, it wasn't neccessarily the game, but what I know goes into being a coach and part of a team. So, I've going to go straight for what I want.

Though, I'll say that I've seen what teaching can do to an artist. That was evident in grad school. So, I'm very eager to go out there and try to change those habits. Yet, I'm still going to try to focus on the art making. It is still my greatest desire to be a success as an artist. Now, I just need to find a patron to support me.

Death and Simplicity

2006-11-12T16:36:00.000-06:00

After moving to Poughkeepsie two weeks ago, today I began working. I was recently hired on at Dia:Beacon as a gallery attendent. Basically, I stand around the gallery watching to make sure that people won't damage the art. It's a fly on the wall type of job, with not much really happening. Very quiet and solemn. Almost church like.

What is good about it is that I'll be around a lot of work. You've got many of the major names (Warhol, Judd, Smithson, etc.) So, it's nice to see these pieces and hear about them. Much of today was spent listening to other attendents talk about the work, most of which I know quite a bit about. Probably more that the people who were telling me about it today. It was interesting to listen though. Many of them gave an interesting perspective and counter point to what I would have to said. I just wanted to listen to them, which to few art people ever do. Most just want to talk.

Anyway, the work is interesting. Some of it is very boring and the reason's to justify it tend to lack substance, but overall the Dia:Beacon is an amazing place. What I kept thinking about as I was listening is how this work for me is past it's prime. At the time is was done, it was ground breaking. Now it just lives on in these narratives and massive galleries. For me it is good to see how much art has moved forward and not still living in redundancy of this work. It's just that the work now seems so miminal. I don't feel that I could make a piece in such a simple gesture. Actually, I probably should try to. It might make what I do all that much better.

With all that said, I just want to see these pieces activated in some way. I want them to be used or decay or something. The white walls of the gallery just take them off into to someplace that is so distant for me.

Quality

2006-11-07T18:11:00.000-06:00

January 23rd 2007, sees my wife begin school at the Culinary Institute of America. For those who don't know, this is THE BEST culinary school in the nation and probably the world. Robin is an amazing person and I'm extremely excited that he got in. She's in for a tough time, but I know in the end she's going to be one hell of a cook. Not that she isn't already.

In preparation for school, Robin has me doing some reading. It's a book about the culinary institute written by a writer who experienced the school first hand. I just finished the book today and it has me thinking about something. The expectation at the culinary institute is perfection. It shouldn't expect less.

What this did is make me think about my practice as an artist. I don't think that I have ever expected perfection out of my work. Not that I've been lazy with it either. I have always pushed it, mostly way beyond my ability as a craftsman. I've always put my head down and created. Criticism is always a part of this process, but it's never driven me to being perfect. My response to this is that what in the art world is perfect. You can cook a steak and know its burnt, but when is art burnt. When I think about my stuff, it usually underdone. This idea of when the craft and the concept fit together has been a big question for me over the last few years. Though, I don't think that I was ever told to perfect. I was told it needed to be refined. But I never saw anyone doing perfect work. A flaw was always there in some way. I would say that it is easy to find flaws if you look hard enough.

I guess that I always focused on the idea. How good was the idea? I think my ideas are good and getting better. Now it's a matter of getting the rest of it to support the idea.

In New York

2006-11-02T12:46:00.000-06:00

After begin in a perpetual state of transition for the last several months, I've finally made it to some solid ground. Just moved into a new place in Poughkeepsie, NY. While it feels great to have a footing, now I have to start another transition into the art scene that is taking place around here. As of right now, I'm feeling a bit lost. Or maybe, I'm just a bit impatient about things. Am meeting with a great group of people down in New York called the Flux Factory. Was looking at their website last night and they seem like a great group of interesting people. Which is exactly what I am looking for. There are a few other things on the horizon, but I'm having to wait for them. What is the phrase? Patience is a virtue.

So, it's quiet. Have been taking some time to check out the city and see what is around. Thus far, I've been hitting the economic side of the area, trying to settle in. Am hoping to see a different side of things soon. Am thinking that I should be more up front about things and just start contacting people.

What I've been trying to do is take this opportunity to start anew. There are things out there and possibilities to explore. A new history, new people, even new food. I've just got to spend the time trying to get out and see what I can.

Explaining

2006-10-10T15:48:00.000-05:00

The reason I started this blog was for a few reason. The first was to document my experience in Singapore. I wanted to give a detailed account of what I was up to and express the excitement of doing something really interesting. The blog is also my chance for me to explain what I am up to. Too many times, I express that fact that I am an artist to people and they ask me what it is I do. The simple answer to that question is everything, but what people want is an answer like "I paint" or "I'm a sculptor." It's never been that easy because what I do is about an experience and more thematically based. I really wonder if I'll ever get to a point where I don't have to explain what it is that I do.

This comes up after talking to one of my in-laws good friends the other day. We were going through the typical explanation of what I've done and what I want to do. I expressed the fact that I've had to find ways to fund the work I do, mostly having to bear the financial responsibility myself. While that is slowly changing, she could understand why I should expect to get paid for what I do. In some ways she is exactly right. For too long, I've not believed that I should get paid and be supported for my work. It is bullshit that doesn't happen. Though the more that I thought about it I remembered that doing art for me is not about the money. It has never been about the money. It is about the experience of talking to people and interacting. Even if it continued to cost me money, I would never stop doing what it is I want to do.

I heard Charles Merriwether, artistic director for the 2006 Sydney Biennale, say something to this effect. The subject of supporting the artists he chose for the biennale came up in discussion and he said something to the effect that biennales are a good way to give artists the chance to not have to pay for their own work and break away from living a life where a 40hrs a week is spent working to support the other time that is spent making art.

At the moment, I am at a crossroads. I've been using the last several months to reflect on my practice and really decide if it is something that I want to take seriously or should I pursue it as more of an amusement. I've decided to take it seriously, but that choice is not an easy choice, especially with comes with having a wife and daughter.

One thing that I have decided is that the effort in the US to support young artists is totally lacking. I am totally frustrated by the how difficult it is to accomplish the ideas I have. For now, I just don't have the knowledge or ability to make the work happen. The question is how and not what.

My guess is that this is just another part of the weeding out those that lack desire and ambition. God is this hard. I'm not sure if I really have this drive. Though this can't stop me. The goal must be to make people believe in the work and in me. I just need to keep hacking away and something will come through.

One thing that I will say - If I ever get established my major goal is to make opportunities for others. That is the biggest thing that Keng Sen did for me. He opened up opportunities for me. There is nothing more that I could have asked of him.

Returning to Reality

2006-10-01T05:33:00.000-05:00

The familiarity of walking into the crisp autumn air outside of JFK was extremely comforting on Friday, as I completed my adventure to Singapore. It is kind of sad to leave a place that I feel so much has happened in, but at the same time, I am returning with a new sense of purpose.

In my last post, I was contemplating the end of my journey, trying to find some closure to the events of the last two months. While I do feel distant from Singapore now, there is an understanding of a process taking place. I am in transition. Where as before art has seemed so unfamiliar and uncertain, now I that has changed. In its place is a desire and confidence that is driving me forward. Actions and movements make sense. The questions are now longer about how, but when. Tied up in all this is a sense of control, which has never been there before. I feel empowered and now can take aggressive steps to larger goals.

Singapore was my launching pad. It was my beginning. I realize how fortunate I was to have that resource at my disposal. Now it can't be left and forgotten. The energy and resources that have come out of this trip must be used to move forward. I would feel like I'm waisting something if I didn't take advantage of it.

So, what is next? New York is next. That behemouth of an art capital. It is time to attack. Doing so in a very aggressive manner. It is a bit duanting, but I feel ready. I feel prepared. It is not going to be easy to crack into the shifting movements of that scene, but it is a game that I am ready to play. Being willing to plough ahead and try to make something happen.

Returning

2006-09-24T22:41:00.000-05:00

Thursday will see me return to the US. Part of me is excited about returning back to something familiar. I'm missing autumn and college football. Though in relationship to my trip, I'd happily give up football for watching soccer and Singapore will look very good when January comes to upstate New York. It is hard to decide where you feel you should be when the choices seem minute in ways. When I think about it, it's more about the person that I want to become than the person that I am. I'll gladly give up familiarity to gain something else.

For me that sense of uncertainity feels good in a way. I'm having to adapt and not just falling into habits that I've been doing for such a long time. I don't every want to be come that person who falls in the same cycle of life. It excites me when I can shake life up a bit and have to deal with new problems. My hope is that life never becomes so habitual.

When I came here, I was looking for the opposite of the life I was living. It it isn't so opposite, yet I think it was a step in the right direction. In certain ways Singapore is very different than Madison. Though in other ways there are many similarities. I feel that on the surface things are different, but when you step back things are really just the same. Maybe moving back to New York will feel different also. I don't know.
Robin was saying that I'm one of those people who visits a new place and wants to move there. Doing so without really thinking about it. I guess that new places excite me. What is really wrong with that. Why settle for the same thing all the time? I like the challenge of searching for interesting foods, places, ideas. I'm not interested in life being bland.

Though maybe it's just a matter of listening and finding what is out there. I don't know. When it comes down to it, I really want to have more choices. I want to be able to see great art, hear great music, and talk to great people. The question is where can I make that happen. I guess it can happen just about anywhere. Though, there are more people doing those types of things in New York or London than in Oregon, WI. So, I guess the big city is calling me. Maybe not forever, but I feel the desire to follow that voice. I keep thinking about the sirens in Greek Myth. The calling isn't always a good thing to listen to.

Connecting to the World

2006-09-16T03:34:00.000-05:00

What has been great about being in Singapore is that fact that I've been meeting people from across the world. You realize that the ideas and conversations you've been having move across boundaries. It is interesting to hear people talk about work they've created and make links to some of the things I've been thinking about.

For instance today, I was having coffee with the artist in residence here at 7213, Lise Nellemann. She was talking about how the space she organizes in Berlin looks to show work that goes beyond the gallery. How most the time the gallery is only a space for discussion, not a place to display. For me this break in the power of the gallery is crucial. It is a break from understanding art as a precious commodity and seeing it as a part of the social fabric.

Another difference here is that art is understood from a different point of view. It actually has value. I feel like what I'm doing has worth here. It seems as simple as valuing a perspective, which I feel is an easy thing to do. Maybe it's not so easy. I guess that I take it for granted. Actually, I have recently decided to listen to what people have to say and make the effort to try to make this happen. In a career where it is very simple to critique and find fault, I'm finding it refreshing to hear people look for positives, yet can make a solid criticism. Though, I should say that this experience has been within a small group of those at Theatreworks. Singapore is a different animal. I'm finding support, but a significant lack of the ability to hear criticism. Things are left unsaid and that is a problem.

A few random photos for you now.

Moving Further

2006-09-11T06:44:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting in the a darkened theatre, observing rehearsal for Diaspora. In front of me video and actors are proceeding through the first full run of the show that I've seen. Hear it feels so small and compact, a bit rough even. When we get into the Concert Hall it will be on a grand scale. Huge. I can't wait to see that happen. The show opens next week. We are not very far off.

Last weekend, I spent most of my time seeing the biennale again. Needed to spend some more time with the work as I wanted to start a few of the articles I'm writing. Felt like I only had a very superficial understanding of it all. Robin and Greta joined me on Sunday. We talked about doing a review based on what Greta had to say. You have to wonder what was going through her head.

Just finished an article that is going to the New Media Caucus. It didn't begin as easily as I thought it would have, though I think the end product is good. I wanted to be a bit more critical of the show, but see it as the beginning of a process that has just begun. The intricate state of what is taking place in Singapore is hard to define in 750 words. Will be working on possibly two or three more for elsewhere. This article allowed me to get down skim through what will later be more concrete.

Visited the Asian Civilisation Museum. Was delighted by the amount of information and objects define the different Asian cultures. Extremely interesting and needs to be revisited.

That is on top of meeting a multitude of new people. For every one person I meet, 3 or 4 more come to light. This could go on forever. My hope is that things will be similar in New York. Could do a project that is based on meeting people. I wonder how long it would take to meet everyone in Singapore. I think its like 4million.

Being an Artist

2006-09-05T05:38:00.000-05:00

First I want to pass on some photos of the Singapore Biennale. Will include the Jenny Holzer piece, a so-so photo of a Mariko Mori piece and a new artist to me Carsten Nicolai. Oh and an artist from the phillipines that I liked.

Overall the Biennale is good. Not great but good. There has to be a starting point and this is a beginning.
Am not really putting down all my thoughts as of yet. Those are going elsewhere.

Just to review my last few weeks. I've been working hard on the video for Keng Sen's show, Diaspora. Did learn a lot of new things about Final Cut and how they are making these massive projections work. Sounds like this is a first in the theatre production world. Now, I've been taking a break from that and acting more like an artist. Keng Sen and I had a talk about my goals and desires for this trip. Up until recently, I've been taking on the role of helper/assistant. With Keng Sen putting me in touch with a multitude of people. While I've been out engaging in conversation, the think that has been missing is the interest in my work. Actually, Lise Nellenmaan, the artist in residence at the moment, just came up to me to say that she looked at my website and liked it. I think that is the first time someone mentioned my work. Back to the conversation with KS, I just said my goal is not to be assisting others with their work, though it is a good way to get experience, but I need to providing avenues for making my ideas happen. If there is a person in this production that I hope to be it is Keng Sen.

Not sure how he took that? I have really appreciated the involvement here at Theatreworks and the ability to be in Singapore. Asia seems like a good next step. But, it has to come on the basis of my work, and not his.

So, this has led to a bunch of other ideas and opinions. With the move to New York, I've got to think in a similar manner. Since we will be living 1;30 away from the city, I'm either going to travel to work or just get a schmuck job that allows me to do my own stuff. It will probably have to be a bit of both. Am applying for a fellowship at Rhizome and applied for a fellowship at Eyebeam. Don't think I'll get either, but it would be amazing to connect with one of those spaces, because they are the people I want to be around. That is where my heart wants to take me.

In the City

2006-09-03T05:11:00.000-05:00

Having escaped from the production for a little while, I've been spending time seeing the Singapore Biennale that began just last Friday. It is an exciting time for the arts in Singapore. So much is taking place. The influx of people and funding is hoping to launch a more vibrant scene for creativity.

At the moment, I'm going to keep my thoughts to myself. I'll be writing for a critical reader that is being posted on the Substation Magazine. With the hope of seeing something published by the end of the show.

The last three days has had me tromping all over the city to see as much as I can. I've seen much of it, but now need to spend a bit time returning to the work. Hoping to breathe it in and contemplate it a bit more. It's more about familiarizing myself with the artist and where they are coming from, than just seeing things.

Have been getting in touch with many people. Have met a few curators from Singapore and Australia. Plus there are others that I'm going to get to at later dates. It's been hard to keep track of names. Called a guy Charles, when his name was John, today. He is a gallery director in Hong Kong. Guess that is the end of that.

It has been interesting to just see how this all works. There is a core group of "Art/Biennale" people who have come in and are doing the tour. Heard them speak and feel like its the pro Biennale bandwagon. Over time, we will see if this is able to sustain itself. Felt like academic discussion. The type of discussion that takes place and when it is over, doesn't really do anything. My understanding is that it's food for thought.

I forgot my camera, otherwise I would have photos to post. Will get them up tomorrow. Some interesting shots of the work.

Anyway, I hope that everyone is doing well. Am still not sure when I'll be returning to the US. Could be the end of September, mid October or the end of October. Depends on funds and my desire to stay.

At this point last year, I was beginning my last semester of graduate school. It is really nice not to be on a academic calendar anymore. I felt like the deadlines of school forced issues that need to be thought about more. The ability to develop work and play for however long I see fit, seems like a great relief. What has been great about this environment is that work and ideas are coming at an aggressive pace. And I am listening to everything. Even the simpliest idea, I'm going to try to do. Seeing the processes that are talking place in others people work and the work at the biennale has made me realize that I just need to get work going.

I'm very hunger to get a studio up and running - The work is what is important.

The complexity of it all

2006-08-28T04:08:00.001-05:00

Am working on 5 hours of sleep from last night. We are in hyper mode here at Theatreworks. Aftet two weeks of editing and re-editing video, this week see us start to really pull the show together. A bunch of new equipment arrived today and there are masses of cords running about the rehearsal space for video, sound, lights, etc. This is really an amazing project. I've never experienced anything of the sort.

The first photo is of Daniel and Sezaly working with the Watchout. The Watchout is a system of 7 computers synced together to run the projection. They are uploading all the video content that Ka Fai and I have been developing.

Next is the rehearsal space. This is half scale, but it give you an idea of what will take place. We are projecting onto a scrim with another screen behind it. The scrim will be 13m x 19m and the other screen is a curve measuring 60 long. It is pretty complex.

The next to photos are looking at some image directly - I apologize for the low quality.

The show is called Diaspora and it follows several artists as they work with their identities between cultures. The show consits of acting that is live and via video feed, performance from the Chinese Singapore Orchestra, a Gambang Kromong band from Bali, dancing from an artist named Zai Kunnig, out video, sound by a Japanese musician, etc. This is all packed into 1:30. It's going to be intense.

On top of that all, the first two nights will have members of the IMF and World Bank attending as they are having their annual meetings in Singapore during that time. This means heavy security, which we all had to submit identification for.

So that gives you an idea of the show.

Events here have been crazy. Typical of the theatre. Lots of drama. I've done my best to stay out of it all. Though, even when things get tense, there is this sense that we are accomplishing something amazing. People keep talking about how this show is huge and the converage will be amazing. It's just starting to sink in for me. Behind the tired eyes, I'm extremely excited to see it all come together.

It actually makes me want to get down to my own work! That will come very soon.

A few photos

2006-08-24T21:53:00.000-05:00

So, what you all have been waiting for - a few photos.

A shot of me out the window of my apartment.

This is Theatreworks

Here is Ka Fai doing some editing in your dungeon

This is the Esplanade. Where the show is going to be.

This was a surprise left for me on my computer. Ariani and Tintin - two of the artist involved in the show- thought they woudl take it for a test drive. It was a fun surprise.

Will get you more later today. I finally have the camera on me.

From a tiny island in Asia

2006-08-21T11:21:00.001-05:00

Trying to add a bit more and keep this thing going.

Last Wednesday saw the arrival of Robin and Greta to Singapore. I haven't had time to be with them though. Just trying to keep up with the pace and demands of the project. We did spend the day together on Sunday. Went to the tourist island of Sentosa to see Underwater World and some pink dolphins. A very family oriented trip, though my interests kept turning toward other things. I'm wanting to create my own work. Am getting bored working on other peoples stuff.

Keng Sen has invited me back for a residency. So, I'm thinking about a bunch of ideas for the project. The first thing in my mind is a game of some sort. Something contextually situated. (that's my new catch phrase) There are some interesting things going on here and I hope to do something colaborative with in a community. Will probably address the urban growth here. Or maybe the crossing of culture. Have been thinking about developing a story about a group that attacks the city to reclaim it. It would be based loosely on the Japanese attack of Singapore in WWII. There are some interesting places here that could fit into this.

We are now one month away from the show opening. I'm excited to see what comes of all the work. The process is still in gear and it will be interesting to see the pieces fit together. There are so many components to the project and fiting them together is going to be no easy task.

Look forward to hearing from people. Email me so that I can keep up with how things are going. Plus, I get to use my new laptop. It was a bitch to get but I am now the proud owner of a 15" Mac Book Pro. I'm very happy!

Rest night

2006-08-14T08:35:00.000-05:00

Would love to say that I've been experiencing the sights and sounds of Singapore, but much of my time has been spent infront of a computer editing video for the show.

A few notes on the show - I've been calling it a performance extravaganza. Vido, performance, an orchestra, etc. The video I have been working on is focused around footage taken in Bali, Vietnam, and India. So, will I might not be experiencing all of it first hand, my appetite for it has been continually teased.

The music is being done by three different groups. One an indonesia group called the Gambang Kromong. Then there is the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Finally, a digital musician from Japan by the name of Toru. He's been lulling us to sleep late at night with his ambiotic rhythms.

Have a meeting tomorrow with a dean at a local art college. Would be great to talk about a job.

More to come.

8 hours of sleep

2006-08-10T05:15:00.000-05:00

Am writing this posting at the end of what have been a long few days. In the past 72, I'm going on about 8 hours of sleep.
We've been extremely busy working on the show and time demands that things get down. I was happy when mandator rest was required in a meeting today. Plus, Keng Sen is heading out of town tonight. So we will get some rest. Plus, I think we are grabbing a drink once things are done today.

As for things other than work. Last night Theatreworks treated several of us to a meal a local restuarant. Had an amazing variety of foods. Most of which I found puzzling. The oddest of them all was 100 yr old eggs. The eggs are stored for 100 years and only brought out once they've completed there term. With a amazing sauce they were quite delicious. Also a North Chinese pork dish. The food was very powerful and extremely tasty.

We are in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which means that Ghost are arising to haunt the earth. Welcome to Hungary Ghost Month. In conjunction with National Day (similar to the US 4th of July), the hungary ghost festival is a tradition throughout the area. People have been leaving small offerings for the ghost that haunt the earth. There are also festivals called gatai where music is sung and items are auctions off for luck. I'm hope to see one this weekend.

What else - So, I've fallen in love with this place. I was really looking for a change of scenery. I wanted the antithesis of Madison and Singapore is just such a place. Though, with English being spoken everywhere it isn't too foreign. It's the best of both worlds. The weather is warm, the beaches aren't too far away and for a huge city I'm finding it very affordable.
I'd love to stay for a while. That possibility might arise.

lingua franca

2006-08-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

It's just about midnight here, which means that it's about noon on the east coast.

Just finished with a reading of the scrip for the show. The four actors came in and put us through a very interesting time. Things started to make sense on that side, but this show is very complex. Video, audio, music, acting, etc. So much.

This month is the ghost monkey festival in Singapore (I might have that name wrong). Heard there was a big festival taking place later this week that I hope to see. Will tell you more about this when I get my facts right.

Have been thinking about my previous experiences abroad. One of my issues with Europe was that I always felt when people were speaking in another language in my company that it was done so to excluded me. Maybe it was my insecurities at that time? Not sure, but here I feel the exact opposite. Hearing Mandarin or Indonesia here doesn't feel exclusive. The more I think about it the more I realize it is more about me that any one else. Guess that at the rip old age of 29, I'm growing up.

Was excited to find out that Robin and Greta will be joining me at the end of the month. Should be fun. Not that I'm going to have loads of time to spend with them. Mainly, I want Robin and Greta to share in the experiences that I am having.

No time for the weary

2006-08-06T09:10:00.000-05:00

Am almost a week into my trip to Singapore. Thus far the pace has been blistering. Most days I'm up at 8am, grab a coffee, read the paper, and then it's off to work until 10 or 11pm. I am amazed on the amount of time people are putting into this. It's 10pm on a Sunday night and things are still happening. My hope is that I can just keep up.

Mainly, I am working with Ka Fai and Daniel on putting together the media side of the project. There is a lot of video and we are using a complex system to run it all. Last night we were working until 2am and tonight it will be midnight before I head home.

In the end I know this will all pay off. Talking to people here, Keng Sen is held in very high regard. There is no reason to complain when you are working for a major artist.

Besides work, I have had a chance to meet a few people. Met a very nice artist who teachs at a local art school. I might go over there at some point to talk to some students. Also have been in touch with several others. Was invited to go to Indonesia to meet with this artist that is a part of the show. That sounds like fun I am amazed at the amount of networking that is happening there and they way opportunities come about.

In the States I always feel like opportunities must be made by the artist to show case work, where as here I feel any reason to do a show is a good reason. People come to see things and are interested what you have to say. Plus, people are willing to take chances. In comparison to the US where people always want a sure thing, which is great for established artists but good luck to anyone try to do something new. Maybe I can work to change that even if it only a small corner of the world.

Got back from playing soccer tonight with Ka Fai and his friends. We lost 5-2, but had fun and blew off some stress.

I've been trying to explore the country as best as I can with the little amount of time that I've had. Have tried a bunch of different dishes at local hawkers. They are cheap and very good. Most of which has been chinese. Malaysian food is next. Am looking forward to getting see some new areas away from the tourists. Got to see the Esplanade, the theater where the show will be presented. Looks like a durian. That is another I need to try.

Am off to work - Look forward to hearing from everyone.

Arrival

2006-08-02T06:27:00.000-05:00

Arrived in Singpore yesterday morning 6:35am. Which would be 6:35pm for the East Coast. Overall the flight wasn't too bad. A stopover in Frankfurt allowed me to stretch my legs. Had fun watching people and writing down stories to describe them. There was the Russian mobster checking on the work his union cronies were doing at JFK. The ugliest man I've ever seen. Buck toothed, a Red dye job over gray thinning hair, with long neck folds. Maybe I shouldn't talk as I don't know what i'll turn into.

Thus far I'd describe Singapore as a tropical top. A beautiful mixture of the old and new balanced with green pacific fauna. The people begin their mornings quietly over a coffee and noodles, and ending their evenings in a whirl of lights and music.

I'd also have to say that if we Americans developed capitalism, then it those here is Asia who will perfect it. I spent time today walking the main shopping center Orchard St. The buildings are a mass of shops and hotels, packed so tightly that it had for me to keep my attention on what what in front of me. My eyes kept moving about unable to rest until I actually entered a store.

At the moment, I'm sitting in the offices of Theatreworks and I'm seeing how this place works. It is 8pm at night and half of the staff is still here. They are very dedicated people. I would have to guess that this is typical of a place doing the work they are doing. As of yet, I'm still very unsure of what I'll be doing. Thus far all I know is that I'll be helping with the video installation that is taking place. I've meet the two people involved in that part of the project and it seems to me that they have much more experience. To the point that they wouldn't want to teach me how to do something when they could do it themselves. What it sounds like is that i'll be helping edit video that has to be cut apart and reorganized to fit on a 30m x 60m screen. this will be interesting and I'll get to learn something.

Have meet some interesting people and might even be playing soccer this weekend. Just the mention of soccer and it open doors. My goal for this is to not only work this project, but get to explore a bit of the culture.

the wonder cabinet

2006-07-30T10:15:00.000-05:00

Just before I left for Asia, I had the chance to take in a curiosity of a show in Charlottesville. Wunderkammer. A performance extravaganza, the project mixed music, theatre, and circus together in salivating spectacle. For me it was a site to behold as my interests in these areas are slowly starting to grow. A new show is on the horizon.

criticality

2006-07-29T15:37:00.000-05:00

Was in New York last weekend. Took the Chinatown bus up from Richmond. Was tolk by many that it was a courageous act. Not sure if it was courageous or stupid.
Visiting the city is always a pleasure. There is something intoxicating about it. Maybe it's the fact that I can leave.
Took a quick pic of the subway. My favorite even though it smells like piss and in the summer its a heat wave. Have always wanted to design a rollercoaster ride that ran on the subway in NYC. Was thinking you could strap a cart to the front of a subway car and as it stopped you shoot off down the tracks. Not sure how'd you would stop though. Would a hand break work?

Meet with Megan for dinner at a little Yemeni restuarant and then checked out a dance project that was being done in a local laudromat. Not really sure what I made of the dancing. Much of it was a bit too boring. NOt engaging. What they did do was interact with the context in interesting ways.

Am trying to associate the criticality of my art dialogue. Wait that sentence was way over the top. So, my wife said that she thinks my criticality of art (which tends to be negative) comes from an insecurity of about my own work. Good stuff! I'm glad that she said that. My work misses the mark a times. It made me think that I might be better at being a crit vs. being an artist. Though, I think that I can do both. Am looking forward to writing about some of the work I see in Singapore and then getting to NYC to engage in that social scene and dialogue.

In between places

2006-07-21T14:03:00.000-05:00

Have made it to Virginia now, leaving Wisconsin behind. It was a melancholly moment leaving my first true home. So many firsts took place there that I'll remember the place for the rest of my life. Looked at it via Google Earth this morning and it still feels very close, though I know it's far away now.

Next week I depart from New York for Singapore. I'm leaving behind my wife and daughter. Was hoping that they could have joined me for most of this, but it doesn't look like it will work out. Hopefully they will be able to come the last two weeks to share the experience.

Other stuff - Have been thinking a lot about this epic that a friend, Ryan and I have been tossing around. We are hoping to publish a serious of graphic novels that revolve around these ideas of masculinity and competition. Should be a fun way to explore some ideas. Singapore should influence this.

back again

2006-07-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

Was about to apologize for not writing. Don't feel that I need to do that though.
Life has been extremely busy - working on projects that haven't quite turned the corner, selling a house, and trying to be a good father are a few of things that seem to whittle away the time.

The reason I'm returning to this blog is more because of what is next and to leave behind the last several years. It is a turning poing in my life. I'm leaving for Singapore in three weeks to work on a project with several important people. This can make or break a multitude of opportunities. So, the pressure is on. I will be documenting it all via this blog. Stay tuned for more.

What I really what now is something that will focus my attention. I want to go through something similar to my previous experience with training for soccer. I want to be physically and mentally challenged to the point of exhaustion. So much so, that it changes the way I live. Opus Dei keeps popping into my head. I want the rigor that is focuses my mind and body, making more of it. Attaining another level. This is sounding way too religious. Maybe I should make a religion out of a sport or vice versa. I'm just in need of a change.

First, I will start with leaving Madison. That is a good place to begin. Leaving baggage behind to reinvent myself.

The Myth of the Artist

2006-04-18T13:07:00.000-05:00

In preparation for a visit by Dave Hickey to Madison, I've been reading several articles he has written. We are doing a short workshop with him.

What I like about his writing is that it's rather no nonsense. Straight to it. He doesn't bog you down with too much theory, yet makes his points.

In an article that he's working on about Andy Warhol, he makes a connection between Warhol's work on Orthodox Icons. While brief it was a good discussion of how Warhol used icons and not images to elaborate in his art.

For me though, more importantly, the article got down to who Warhol was beyond the images we see. The article portrays him as a professional. "Down to business" For me this is being an artist. There is a time to play and a time to be serious. Too few of the people I've dealt with in Madison are the later. Many of them would rather bullshit about who got drunk at which opening or how they taked to this person or that. They think that being an artist is more about performance than it is about making the work.

My biggest issue with many of the artist I know is that they want to become this image of the avant garde, a saint of all that is creative. They don't even care about what is truly at stake. The publics perception of what it is to be an artist and what an artist does. I'm sick of artist being thought of as a clown (Nauman) or some oddity. That is what the artist has come to portray in our contempory world.

For me an artist is a voice of reason. They bring a different perspective. They bounce between being spectators to being activitists in an effort to conceptualize the whole. Artists are good at taking tools and making them relavent.

As long as we dance around, doing foolish things, we will be understood as being just that. When the responsibility of being an artist weights upon your shoulders, then you know you are actually creating something that is full of meaning and worth.

This is a quick rant - just needed to get it out.

Beginning a New

2006-04-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

After two weeks of dealing with my grandmothers death and my daughters sickness, today is a new day. It's is a pleasent morning with the sun streaming through the windows. My hopes are up and I feel ready to challenge the world again.

The major outcome of these events was a recommitment to specific aspects of my life. Family is now very important. I'm no longer willing to miss dinner and am relishing my morning time with my daughter. Also have cut the fat out of things that I've been doing, which is giving me a little extra time to focus on things. While I definitely didn't want to go through what has happened, it has given me a much different outlook.

Two things of note - Heard a great interview yesterday on NPR about a guy who decided to say "yes" instead of "no' for a year. I fell like I've been saying yes to the things I should have said no to and no to the things I should have said yes to. I pledging to be a bit better at this.

Also heard an interesting talk about fatalism's effect on our perception of identity. Since nothing is going to work out, why even worry about the effect of choices. This is definitely me. Glass is always half empty. I'm wondering about how this outlook effects our willingness to be reflexive.

life and death

2006-04-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

Has been an exhausting week - First my grandmother died and then my daughter got extremely sick, sending her to the childrens ICU. It hasn't been fun. (She is doing well and how the way to recovery)

Losing my grandmother has been an interesting process. While I hadn't seen her or talked to her much, upon hearing of her departure, I felt a loss of presence. Like a part of me had been gone. It's no longer there. I can feel where it should be right now. I'm going to miss her dearly.

With Greta, things happened very quickly. One moment she's a energetic kid and then next she's hooked up to a ventilator, totally sedated. It's hard to look at her now in bed and not expect her to just jump up.

Life tends to knock you up side the head when it needs too. Made me realize that family always should come first, art second. In a pursuit to reach goals, that distinction can get blurred.

So, with all this negativity, something has to go right soon. It might have already. Just have to be patient.

Context and Action

2006-04-01T19:03:00.000-06:00

A lot has been happening since the last posting. I've been trying to work on a house that I'm supposed to have finished by the end of June. Greta, my daughter, took sick last week, which has taken me to places that I'd never had thought I'd go. Then there are the future plans for Singapore that seem so good and strong that are yet to take definition. I guess that is part of being at this point in my life.

A major project has been started for the Games, Learning and Society Conference that I am partaking in, as a game designer and panelist. I lead designing an Augmented Reality Game about Madison. Preliminary discussion has come up with some amazing ideas and I'm now focused on making this a very complete and well organized project. Could mean a lot to my future in game developement.

One note that I'd like to mention - I've have always been interested in action and context. I am curious how context defines action. In discussing this topic a few different things have come up - Situated action, Activity Theory, Distributed Cognition. All take action as the definitive way that people connect to there environment. For me though, I know that action is prescribed by context. While you can have a religious experience outside of a church, the church seems to focus our attention the actions of religion. Maybe that is a poor example. My point is that while action can move across context, context can solidfy action with a more meaningful purpose.

I made the example today with a friend that I see the relationship between action and context like coffee and cups. Coffee being action and the cup the context. So, while the coffee always remains the same, based on the cup the coffee takes on new preportions, shapes, aromas, etc.

Was watching a PBS documentary on the importance of mental stability and stress in medicine. They found that people who had less stress heal much more quickly. The program was talking about how medicine , while very much a black and white science, needs to learn that there are other aspects that effect healing, finding a need to embrace aspects that fall in a less quantifiable way. For me it's the same with our connection to our environment.

Action and Context work together. While they change and flucuate they still influence each other. So while educators focus on the action based studying of learning, I also think the context needs to be taken into consideration.

This is still loose thinking, but I has credence and will go somewhere.

Meaning in Image/Action

2006-03-22T23:23:00.000-06:00

Gave a presentation tonight about a paper that I'm working on. The title is Meaning in Image/Meaning in Action. The idea is to focus on how meaning is ellicited through both images and actions. Specifically, I was going to look at the JFK assassination and track it's development from action to image. Then look at Ant Farm's re-enactment of the assassination, tracking that from action to image. Finally, looking at the game JFK Reloaded, where again action is played into image.

I think one of the important parts that I want to get at is the connections made to a subject. Take me for instance, I was born in 1977, 14 years after JFK was shot. I remember as a kid watching some documentary on the subject and being terrified by the images I saw. While I didn't have a lived connection to the events they some how remain vibrant through that media. (A fellow student made an interesting comment on the study of the technologies used to document events, will have to look into that) Taking Eternal Frame, I am still distanced as I saw the video on a television screen during a video class. Though the people who encountered the re-enactment were reliving the experience. Finally, the game - Here anyone can relive the experience and do it over and over. I could shoot JFK all the time. There are performance issues here. What is important about becoming Oswald? There are just a bunch of things rattling through my head.

After class, I was walking and thinking again about interactivity. I want art to be felt in a multitude of ways. Physically - Emotionally. I want it to be like having Sex or being at the birth of a child. Something that is so palletable that it remains constantly present. Is that too much to ask of art? To me it is always much of a let down. Always very surface and never any depth. Reading old art criticism about Rodin, the writer seems like he wants you to fall in love with the art. Why doesn't that happen - catharsis? I remember seeing the Sistine Chapel and thinking about how beautiful it was, though I wasn't awe struck. It's plaster and pigment. But it is so distant. Seeing the cigarette butts in a Pollock has more meaning to me. Anyway . . .

Flanuer and Pscyhogeography

2006-03-20T12:49:00.000-06:00

In an effort to follow an interest in contextuality and interaction, I came across the term pscychogeography. It refers to an area of study that involves the context and action. In my work, this is what the Breese Stevens Project and now several other proposals have come to focus on. I am interested in defining context and placing action. This also has provided way of looking at establish social and cultural context and understanding how action/interaction is defined by context.
I just proposed a project to document place in the game Second Life. A proposal that I just was rejected focused on documenting the areas around the Roman Fora in their past and present states. I curious about what once was and what now is. Then combining them to layer contextuality.

Another word that came up around this term is the flanuer - This term refers to a person who plays a sensor role in understanding the urban environment. My previous connection comes from some reading that I did in Matthew Buckingham's course. Will have to look into this more.

All in all, this is a dialogue for understanding place. I continue to come across people who are documenting space through audio, video, histories, etc. I am curious about the purposes for this documentation. Is it directed toward an understanding of identity? Or is to stop and listen to what is around us, if only for a moment? Are we broadening the ability to perceive?

A Cold March Day

2006-03-14T14:49:00.000-06:00

It is the time of the year in Wisconsin where the weather is deceptive. A sunny day, but extremely windy and cold. I'm hoping to leave this behind soon.

Yesterday was a great day. Besides not having to work or go to class - I was able to check on the For a Good Time answering machine. In three weeks and with a small amount of info out, I had over 20+ messages. Some where hang ups, but a few did leave messages. They will be posted on the webpage later this week. So, thanks to those who called.

Have been applying for projects and employment. An application went out today for a fellowship with Linden Lab and Second Life. The project was focused on building an oral history of Second Life that people can access. Don't know if they will buy it, but I think it's an interesting idea.

Last fall, I applied for the Rome Prize. As I haven't heard anything yet, I'm guessing that nothing has come of it. The idea was to look at the Roman Fora taking into the consideration of what they once did and now do. I was curious about the people who inhabit the space past and present. Spoke to an old friend of mine who is a classicist/archaeologist he liked the idea. There might be a possibility for this project yet. The question is finding an organization to fund it.

Am beginning to organize info for two Augmented Reality projects to take place this spring. One will be in concert with a Symposium being held at the UW-Madison and the other is for the Games, Learning and Society Conference that am on a panel for. Both are going to take Madison as there subject, but I'm building a narrative around specific places.

Subaltern

2006-03-09T15:23:00.000-06:00

The last two months I've been involved with a seminar that artist Matthew Buckingham has been teaching at the Univ. of Wisconsin. The title of the course is Representing the Past in Media and Art. The course has given me a chance to engage in area of historiography which is foreign to my experience. Last nights readings of Gayatri Spivak focused on ideas surrounding the subalern, a position in culture and society that lacks the ability to speak. It was an interesting conversation concerning colonial and post-colonial thought delving into identity and gender. It is a tough reading, but there is a lot there.

As is typical for me, this reading is creating ideas that relate to some previous work. I'm thinking about devising a performance that would consist of creating this position and then allow for the voice to be heard through a specific audience action. Control and authority comes through the speaking and the ability to be heard. I want to create a relationship where one is dependent on the other.

Post CAA and what is next

2006-03-06T12:50:00.000-06:00

I have never been that good at keeping up with these types of things. It always is put down on the daily to do list, but never quite get to it.

Boston was a success. I accomplished my goals of getting an interview, meeting with people at MIT and seeing Boston. I have to thank Brandon for letting me stay with him. He is doing some great props work at the Huntington Theatre.

My attention is now turned toward two things. The first is making work and the second is getting to Asia. Have completed my location scouting and am now preparing to start the narrative building part for my projects. For a Good time is starting to move. I've gotten some cards out and the website will be up tomorrow.

As for Asia, I am very excited about going there. It will jump start my career in just the right way. Mainly, it will be a place to make contacts. I've just been asked to be a project manager for a part of the Singapore Biennale that Ong Keng Sen is producing. This is will be amazing.

Enough for now! My computer is having issues.

Day 2 in Boston

2006-02-23T09:21:00.000-06:00

Have been thinking about the next few months, focusing specifically on my art. This summer is going to be an interesting junction. My thoughts are that whatever I end up doing next will define and influence my work for a long time. For instance, should I go after technology then that will produce specifice work. The alternative is Asia where I won't have as much access to technology, but culture would have an impact. Maybe I can have both? It seems like it's just a matter of wanting it.

Again a day of meetings and hearing people talk. I hope to hear some interesting stuff. My experience is that this new media field is still young. Most of the faculty have tradition art backgrounds and made the jump. This is a bit of a relief as much of my anxiety has come from this. There is just so many interesting things you can do. Will have to get down to programming and researching hardware. Still feel like the works lack substance. Very visual, but want does it do? I keep coming back to that question. Does it open up new ideas and if so how are people accessing those idea. Yes on the first part of the question, no on the second. Chris at MIT gave a talk yesterday and it was interesting to hear that the products they produce have to have a life outside the lab. Their focus is to get the work out and being used. Chris' work is interesting and I agree with most of it, but has a specific political bent. That I find troublesome because while you are finding friend is places, you are also making enemies. Good stuff!

In other news - Arsenal 1- Real Madrid 0 - played at the Bernebeau. Great result in a tough year. Go Gunners!

Boston/MIT/Academics

2006-02-22T08:42:00.000-06:00

I've never been very good at these things. Journals and the like. Now that the website it up and linked to this page, it is a good time to get in the habit. So, I plan to doing this on a daily schedule. Look forward to talking to you!

At the moment, I'm sitting at a table in a rather gloomy conference center. There is a lot of grey surrounding me. Outside is the city of Boston. Flew in last night. I am excited about exploring and beginning to understand a new city. The reason I'm here is two-fold. One the College Art Association conference is taking place. A hopeful chance for me to engage in academic dialogue. The possibility of interviewing for a teaching position is also there. Though the more, I sit here and watch people, the more I'm inclined to say fuck all. There is a this weird air of intelligence and hipness that seems to be a cover for a bunch of over educated/topic-specific/rather dry people. Which I am once of. Well maybe.

Also on my agenda for today is MIT. This is the future. Technolgoy. I am going to put all my cards into the integration of my work and technology. There is not holding back. MIT is the jewel in the academic connection with technology. My hope is to contact and engage the people there is some fashion. I just have to hope they are willing and available. I'm excited and looking forward to it.

Sports

2005-12-23T10:48:00.000-06:00

The work that I have been doing focuses around sports. In my last show, I was interested in the rituals and traditions that are inherent in sports culture. While the game provides for the structure of the event, that which revolves around it provides the meaning.

A Beginning

2005-12-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

This blog is going to be place for me and you to talk about whatever is on our minds. For me that is typically my family, art, sports, and a bunch of other things. Here's to something fun and new.