S+ART

Joseph Cornell: A Treasured Artist

Peter Karp "Wheel of Nature"

Joseph Cornell was an artist whose work really exemplified the saying that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Cornell lived from 1903 to 1972 mostly in New York City. He lived his early life in Nyack, New York with his two sisters and one brother who suffered from cerebral palsy. When he grew up, he moved to New York City and led a humble life mostly due to poverty and spent a great deal of his time taking care of his disabled brother. He was never a particularly social man which allowed him to focus on his artwork.

Cornell is known as being one of the pioneers of installation art. However, his work was not as out of the box as a lot of the contemporary installation art is today, but rather in a box. Cornell loved to collect little trinkets and such. His installations were constructed out of these “found objects” that were then compiled in shadow boxes to evoke an emotion or idea. Some of his work such as his well known piece, The Medici Slot Machine requires the viewer to interact with the piece by handling it. Cornell also created paintings and surrealist short films along with his boxed installations. His boxed masterpieces serve as examples of the principles of found objects and collage assemblage which is what allows Cornell to be regarded as a pioneer in the art world.

The artwork of Joseph Cornell may parallel the saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” but also transcends it because the “treasures” that he created allowed him to become part of modernist history. In a way, Cornell himself serves as a parallel by transcending a poverty stricken life by becoming a treasured artist.     

Facebook us @Smithsonian StudioArts

Follow us on Twitter @SmithsonianSA

~Griffin Baker

 

 If you would like to learn more about Joseph Cornell and his artwork, come to the Joseph Cornell and Your Museum of Ephemera All-Day Seminar and Studio Workshop where you can get the first-hand experience of creating your very own Cornell inspired boxed installation.

Check out the link below:

 http://residentassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=223240

Post: Portraiture & Lighting

 Photograph by Studio Arts instructor Marty Kaplan

 

When I photograph people, I generally rely on existing light since I'm most familiar with it, but also because I have no idea how to arrange and use studio lighting.  And, while I know that strobes are part of these set-ups, all I think about is flashing light at a dance club - and, then I get distracted with the idea of going to a dance club and never get any farther than that. 

 

Photographing people can be difficult, anyway, especially when there's so much to remember other than lighting, like location, background, posing and positioning, choice of lens, and having a clear idea how the photo should look, as well as being flexible and open to changing that idea if things doing work out as planned. 

 

If I had more time this fall, I would take the Introduction to Studio Portraiture course offered by the Studio Arts Department.  In fact, all of their courses are set to start within the next week or two, so if taking a class to improve your skills or learn new ones is something you've been thinking about, maybe take a look through their course schedule and register for one.

 

Next week, I'll be back to talk about strobes.  The photographic kind!

 

-Angela

Fall classes and workshops

 

As many of you know, several years ago I took one of the darkroom courses offered by the Smithsonian Associates and have been waiting for the right time to take another one.  Most courses last eight weeks and right now, eight weeks is a lot of committment.  I was pleased to find that the Resident Associates program also offers one-shot lectures and seminars in addition to the courses - ideal for someone like me who has a problem making it to class every week.  One evening and I'm done?  Sign me up!

 

One lecture that caught my eye is Eye on the President happening Monday, September 26.  In this seventy-five minute session, John Bredar, executive producer of National Geographic Television, talks with three Presidential photographers - Bob McNeely (President Clinton's photographer), Eric Draper (President George W. Bush's photographer), and even Pete Souza (President Obama's photographer who also worked at the White House during the Reagan years) - about the challenges of documenting a Presidential administration as well as capturing their personal side.  How else will we have the images we see in retrospectives or biographies?  Bredar will also be available to sign his book, President's Photographers after the lecture.  Tickets are $30 for general admission or $25 for Members. 

 

Another documentary photographer is the focus of Edward S. Curtis: The Shadow Catcher, an evening seminar on Tuesday, September 27.  Curtis spent his career documenting the lives of our country's Native Americans, recording tribal and traditional customs of more than 80 tribes, traveling with his own mobile photo lab consisting of equipment, technicians, and researchers, all on a horse-drawn wagon.  His collection of over 40,000 photographs is one of the most significant collections of traditional American Indian culture ever produced.  George Horse Capture, senior counselor emeritus to the director at the American Indian Museum and the great-grandson of Horse Capture, who was photographed by Curtis, describes the photographer's visit to the A'aninin Tribe of Montana.  The seminar also includes film footage as well as an explanation of Curtis' goldtone development process.  General admission tickets to this evening seminar are $40.

 

Take a look at the entire schedule of seminars and lectures offered by the Smithsonian Resident Associates program.

 

For you who can commit to an entire course, check out the full course listing that includes Open Darkroom, Joy of Photography, Studio Portraiture, Fall Landscapes along the Potomac, Alternative Photographic Process courses, along with many more, all starting up in October.  Register before they fill up and let me know what you're taking!

 

Have a favorite instructor?  What's been your favorite course so far? 

 

-Angela

 

Mirrored Art to Functional Light Sustainability

 

Can forms of art be functional and aid in sustainability at the same time? Yes!

Dependent on location, transformation and evolution are at the base of the cultural landscape that surrounds people daily. As time passes, individuals think thoughts, ideas form and originate into creation, microcosms grow, cities evolve, and concepts globalize.  In order to keep growing and moving forward positively, the world has to sustain its resources, be energy efficient, and create new ideas to maintain preexisting spaces and places.

An energy source that shines in everyone’s minds when sustainability comes to the forefront is solar power, specifically concentrating solar energy or sunlight. In most cases today, light sustainability juxtaposes architectural design and its spatial relationships.

How do local artists react to sustainability in combination with architectural space? How can one create Art and transform it functionally?

Local Artist, Greg Braun does just that in a partnered exhibition called Contain, Maintain, Sustain held at the Artisphere, Arlington, VA. Braun’s ingenious sculptural artwork perfectly exemplifies ways in which Art can be utilized as function. In the Terrace Gallery at the Artisphere venue, He has put emphasis on preexisting gallery space by focusing on the few small natural light sources (windows) present. Braun maintains the same space by redirecting sunlight at different angles. In this sustainable artistic approach, rather than adding more artificial light, Braun has placed mirrors as angled sculpture in the molding of preexisting windows and manipulated light to accentuate the preexisting space meanwhile conserving energy.

 

Conceptual Sketch of Gallery and Reflection Study

 

 

Digital sketch of Functional Reproduction , Angled Shapes, and Reflection of Light in Space

Sun Tag Event

When: Saturday, July 9, 2011 11:00am – 1pm

Where:

Artisphere Building

1101 Wilson Blvd.

Arlington, VA, 22209

Cost: Free

 

To interact first hand with Artist Greg Braun and learn more about his artwork and conceptual background, please join in on an interactive family workshop at the Artisphere outdoor terrace. In this hands-on exhibition with Braun, attendees will take mirrors and manipulate sun light in a contest to hit artistic targets along a prescribed course created by Braun.

 

Hands-on Manipulation of Light with Mirror

 

 Photos Courtesy of Greg Braun

 

~Matt Weiler

 

Pastels: From The Ground Up

 

Limitations crash to the ground when I recall my own past involvements in painting and pastel classes. Whether it is at a University or an institution, artistic restrictions often cloud one’s experiences. Words such as, “basic,” “standard,” “usual,” “normal,” “store-bought,” “dependence,” “discomfort” and simply just not the right fit, fill my head.

 

For those aspiring beginners, or artists who simply love to try new things, here’s the chance to share a unique hands-on workshop filled with independence and versatility. Have you ever wanted to share in the experience of creating your own media or be the master of your own artistic vision through individually made color, size of media, or form?  Have you ever wanted to create that “special” color that fits only your work and vision? If this is the experience you seek, From The Ground Up: Making and Using Pastel and Pastel Papers (Sat., July 9 - 23, 1 - 4:30 p.m.) is most definitely the course for you.

 

Pastel is defined as an art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of pure powdered pigment with a binder or glue. In this unique class instructed by Michael Gilbert, participants “will go beyond store-bought pastel colors and custom papers to gain creative control over your supply options in this hands-on workshop.”

 

Pastel Creation Process

 Glass Surface for Pastel Workstation

 

 Adding Measured out Pigment and Combining with Binding Solution

 

 

 
Creating mixture and then paste

 

 

 
Cutting pastel paste into Unique pieces

 All Photos are Courtesy of Phyllis Franklin

 

-Matt Weiler

Introduction to Coptic-Style Book Binding - 5 session evening course

Coptic-style book binding is one of the oldest methods of book binding. It was used in Egypt as early as the 2nd century by early Christians, who were known as Copts. Today the Coptic method is often used by artists to create one-of-a-kind handmade books which can be used as sketchbooks, journals, or for any other book art. Coptic style books are noted for being able to lay open completely flat without risking damaging the spine.

In Introduction to Coptic-Style Book Binding, a 5 session evening course offered by The Smithsonian Associates, students are taught hands-on how to make Coptic-bound books.The great thing about this method of book binding is that it can be easily replicated at home. No adhesive is used; pages are stitched together and the spine is left exposed, giving the book a simple and elegant look. Students are given the opportunity to explore various binding materials, such as hand-made papers and creative cover choices.

Instructor Katie Wagner is a book artist and conservator who also works for Smithsonian Libraries.

Register for Introduction to Coptic-Style Book Binding
Wed., Feb. 16-March 16, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
S. Dillon Ripley Center
Room 3041
1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W.

Allison Recht

A Holiday Gift Idea

Digital cameras make great holiday gifts, but what makes them even better is knowing how to use them. The Smithsonian Resident Associate Program's Digital Camera Basics is a one-day workshop that teaches the ins and outs of basic digital camera use, from shooting to printing.

From the Smithsonian Resident Associate Website:
This hands-on workshop covers topics such as obtaining a good exposure using various shooting modes; making exposure adjustments on an image that is too light or dark; controlling color and tone as files are captured; understanding resolution, picture quality, and file formats such as JPEG and RAW; transferring files to the computer; and organizing files with a browser. A brief discussion of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements for browsing and editing purposes is included, as is a discussion of options for printing digital files.

photo: Eliot Cohen

This course is a great companion to any digital camera, whether it's gift-wrapped or not.

Digital Camera Basics
Date: Sunday, January 9, 10am-5:30pm (with a lunch break; students provide their own lunch)
Instructor: Eliot Cohen
Location: National Museum of Natural History
Computer Lab
10th & Constitution Avenue, NW
Quick Tix Code: 1K0-0HQ
TICKETS REQUIRED

Allison Recht

Goings On: FotoWeek DC!!!

For those of you who don't know, FotoWeek DC is a week-long celebration of photography and new media all over the District, and there is SO MUCH going on that I don't even know where to begin...

FotoWeek DC includes:

• Exhibitions
• Lectures
• NightGallery photo and video projections on building facades around the city
• An international photo competition, which for the first time includes a mobile phone category
• Workshops for photographers to improve their skills or learn new techniques (such as shooting at night or techniques used in food photography)
• Portfolio reviews with professional photographers.

The big FotoWeek DC kick off is TOMORROW! An official launch party will be held at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design. There will be large scale projections both indoors and outdoors, light food, cocktails, and music. During the party the winning photographs from the 2010 International Photo Competition will be unveiled. The Award Winners Exhibition will then be open November 6th-13th in the Corcoran Gallery of Art Atrium. To view the winning photographs online, visit the 2010 Award Winners Gallery

Most events require registration and are free, but some events, such as the launch party and portfolio reviews, cost money.

This is only the tip of the iceburg. For more information and a full list of events visit the FotoWeek DC website.

FotoWeek DC Launch Party
Friday, 11/5 @ 8pm-11pm
Corcoran Gallery of Art Atrium
500 Seventeenth Street NW
$45 click here for more info & to register

Photo: Benjamin Lorenz, 1st Place - Contemporary Life category

Allison Recht

Pumpkin Carving and the Legend of Stingy Jack

 Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a man called Stingy Jack. He lived in Ireland. One night Stingy Jack invited the devil out for a drink. The devil, always up for a good time, agreed, but when it came time to pay for the drinks, Stingy Jack started acting, well, stingy, and refused to pay. He eventually convinced the devil to turn himself into a coin with which they could pay for the drinks, but when the devil did this Jack put the coin in his pocket next to a silver cross, which stopped the devil from being able to return to his usual form. Stingy Jack agreed to allow the devil out of coin form as long as the devil agreed to leave him alone for a full year, including not taking his soul to hell should he die. The devil, not wanting to be a coin forever, agreed, but the next year Stingy Jack pulled a similar prank and a similar deal was struck. Then, Stingy Jack died. God didn't want him in heaven and the devil, who had agreed to leave Jack alone, wouldn't take his soul to hell. So Stingy Jack roamed Ireland with nothing but a burning coal in a carved-out turnip lantern to light his way. And thus Jack of the Lantern, or the Jack O' Lantern, was born. People continued to carve turnips and potatos, and pumpkins after emigrating to America, into lanterns and put them on windowsills to keep evil roaming spirits away.

Today, pumpkin carving is an art (note the depiction of Edvard Munch's Scream above, and the dead Frida Kahlo below), and with websites like Better Homes and Gardens offering Fresh Ideas for Pumpkin Carving and tons of Free Stencils, there's no shortage of inspiration. Perhaps the best place to get pumpkin carving inspiration is from past contestst and festivals, like the Extreme Pumpkin Carving Contest which emphasizes humor and the use of power tools in their carvings; the Manchester, VT Annual Pumpkin Carving Festival, which is gaining popularity in New England every year; or This Old House's Pumpkin Carving Contest


  
 clockwise from top left: www.extremepumpkins.com, www.thisoldhouse.com, www.vermontpumpkin.com, www.thisoldhouse.com

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities, then go to Lamont Park in Northwest DC tomorrow, Sat. 10/28, from 9am-1pm for free pumpkin carving lessons and demonstrations. For more information on this event visit the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Blog.

Happy Carving!

Allison Recht

Goings On

Halloween is this weekend, and whether you want to have some spooky fun or pretend it's just another weekend, there's something going on for you.

On Saturday the Corcoran Gallery is hosting a family workship called Wild Beasts and Creatures. From the Corcoran Gallery's Website: "Journey to the wild and discover fierce lions, serpents, and beasts on this gallery safari. Let the bronze sculptures of Antoine-Louis Barye be your guide along the way as you learn about animal fables from cultures around the world. Continue the adventure in our art studio and create your own wild creature out of clay. Workshops are limited to children ages 8–12 and their adult companions. Space is limited and advance registration is required."
Image: Antoine-Louis  Barye, Roger and Angelica on the Hippogriff. c. 1846. www.corcoran.org

Saturday, October 30, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design
500 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-639-1700
$15 with advanced registration

Recently opened at the National Portrait Gallery is Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer. This collection of photographs shows Elvis Presley as he was rising to fame in 1956. The photographs take an intimate look at Elvis's public and private life, as well as everyday life in 1956.

Now through January 23, 2011
The National Portrait Gallery - 2nd floor
Eighth and F Streets, NW
Metro: Gallery Place–Chinatown (red, yellow, green)
FREE

Get in the Halloween mood on Sunday with Ciné-Concert: Häxan—Witchcraft through the Ages. The American premier of the original score is being shown at the National Gallery of Art. From NGA's website: "One of the most fascinating works in the history of cinema is Christensen's visually stunning study of witchcraft, a blend of fictionalized vignettes and nonfiction texts exploring medieval sorcery practice. Frequently evoking paintings by Bosch, Häxan conveys a sense of dark emotion let loose on a naive world. Accompanied by a live performance of the original 1922 musical score under the direction of Gillian B. Anderson. (Benjamin Christensen, 1922, 35 mm, Danish and Swedish with soft-titles, 110 minutes)"

October 31 at 4:00PM
National Gallery of Art - East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Auditorium: 4th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Gallery: 4th and Independence Avenue NW
Doors open 30 min. before show; seating is first-come first-served
FREE

 And of course, if none of these events strike your fancy, you can always carve a pumpkin or make some DIY Halloween decorations!

Allison Recht