Lauren D. New York Trip

Lauren Doyle 

IS 

Bruce Wall

NY Trip IS

Friday, March 6th, 2009, began with arriving to New York City. Traveling to Soho, Lower East Village, and Chelsea brought strange, interesting, and complex art work into our Independent Studio’s class. A compacted and eventful day was ahead of us. Especially since Professor Bruce Wall filled the day with non stop art activities and experiences. 

The first stop at 10 A.M was at John King’s apartment. Such a lovely and historic loft right in the middle of Soho. I wanted to pinch myself as I walked into the space. After being introduced to John King and his wife, John began to explain his art process and career. I found it fascinating how John uses wax and images within an encaustic process. I would love to attempt such a technique. Overall, John was very inspiring. His speech on how to accomplish a life as an artist was memorable. Not sugar coating the artist trip and experience of an visual thinker I found very important to a young artist. Many accomplished artist always stay positive yet not realistic. John said, “ I needed another job so I could pay the rent. I could not live with the feeling of not being able to pay the rent. Needed to know if I could stay here another month.” 

From King’s loft, our group ventured over to O.K. Harris Gallery. Along the way to the gallery, we met artist Ryan McGinniss on the street right outside his studio. Apparently, he is a well known artist to the New York area and beyond. His name on google had over 40,000 hits. As we walked into O.K. Harris, an installation of thick rope going from the side of the room at a horizontal angle around 60 degrees to 20 degrees captured the room.Past the rope installation, we met with receptionist and owner of the gallery. I particularly was interested in viewing the three wire shadow artwork. A shadow of the United States and a chair were created by the wire. 

Paul Laster and René Ricardo-Laster, curators of exhibition, “ 4AM in the Garden,” talked about their lives and experiences in the art world. I feel in love with the painting of the large oil painting of the woman holding the killed turkey. The symbolic imagery and use of light was wonderful. 

We stopped to view selected Chelsea galleries as well. Most memorable and favorite was the Paul Morrison show, three dimensional black painted art, Communication Artwork, Strange Character Hut Land, and the Gallery with the Cotton Ball Art. Strange and not re-visitable were the following; The Broken Kilometer, The Earth Room, and of course “The Artist Can of S&*$.” I thought the artist was at least joking about the S&*%. I later found that it was in-fact the artist’s feces. Shock art can work for the correct time and place, but putting your feces into a can to sell is not attractive. The Earth Room installation was interesting but I felt suddenly hard of breath while visiting the installation. All the dirt created a think smog that held oxygen. Interesting effect but I would rather have the option to breathe while viewing artwork. 

After the galleries, the group traveled to PULSE. PULSE, a contemporary art fair, was filled with 75 galleries from all over the world. Shane McAdams, painter and assistant gallery director, spoke to the group about the fair and location of his tent. After meeting Shane, we traveled around the fair alone and discovered interesting artwork. At PULSE, my favorite was the suspended tree sculpture made out of wire and the string Marilyn Monroe with the globe. The colors of the string, concept, and the originality of flipping the art inside the globe was fascinating. PULSE was an interesting experience because we interacted with the “Real Art World.” I have never had the chance to meet such wealthy, pretentious, vulnerable people. Although, I enjoyed learning what it takes to stand out, I was disappointed. I wish there was more tradionial, gesture, figure drawings displayed. 

Overall, the art trip to New York City was unforgettable. I interacted with the art community while standing on the side lines. Imagining myself among the Art World was interesting and odd. I wonder if I could handle all the money and power that the world holds? Although, with a lot of practice, dedication, and skill, I could manage it.