Jona8than Green Art and Other Things

To do a large scale three dimensional rubbing of a shed, which is then reconstructed through the hanging of the sheets of paper. The reconstruction is lit from the inside; illuminating the paper and creating an object that has a spectral quality about it.

Detailed description:

The idea is to capture the nuances and details of a shed on my family property. The shed was built by my grandfather, a carpenter, all by his own hand. I would use large sheets of paper and do a rubbing of each side of the shed, including the roof. This would done all by my hand, using graphite sticks and pencils. Copied in materials more natural to me.

By doing a rubbing of the surface of the shed, I would be creating an inverse image of the shed. The paper would be hung, reconstructing the dimenisons of the shed: being _ _______. The paper would be supported by a wooden frame of the shed, fastening at the top. This would give a wavering quality to the work according to the environment conditions i.e: people walking past.The structure would be lit from the inside by a small work light hanging down in the shed, the light would illuminate the the negative spaces created through the rubbing process. This would contrast against the dark grey of the graphite.

This project is a continuation of my current investigations in drawing and printmaking. I am drawing but I am also capturing the imprint of the surface - like a collograph or relief print. I am constructing my own shed, reproducing some of the same motions that my grandfather would have; becoming a print myself in a sense. It touches on the concept of a film negative as well though it it is not something actively pursued.

My current art has been focusing on 'small memories' of objects, memories that an object accumulate, common objects that many people can have a connection to. With this there is always the issue of lost and a sense of mourning, this goes from the personal to the larger population that many Atlantic Canadians have a familial connection to a shed. A sense of place definitely plays into the work, it is a product of its environment and is commonplace in the area. The use of paper will convey the fragility of these memories, a sense of impermanence that is associated with memory. The graphite would capture the exterior of the building, allowing for the traces of aging and weather. The inverse image created by rubbing would be related to the memories associated with the shed along with the illumination of the small light bulb.

This work references the art of Do-Ho Suh, and Rachel Whiteread as well as the art of Ed Pien. Do-Ho Suh and Rachel Whiteread both investigate space and the sense of place in their work along with concepts of memory and loss. Where as Pien has influence my practice in the sense of drawing and installation, by showing the intimacy that drawing can have and the way the material can be used beyond a support for a drawing.

That's what the article was called in Art on Paper magazine. I picked it up today at chapters, running into an artist I've met here in St. Johns, we discussed art as we meandered around the store. He admits to being very much a formalist, so was interesting discussion.

The article, was kinda fun to read in some of the entries; Terrance Koh seems to manifest himself in the same manner as he does his art- a bit of coke. Some others were interesting, how some of the same doubts affect I'm having still find themselves in artists of semi-establishment. I have been thinking a lot on my career as an artist, or least my start of a career. These questions seem to be getting round, my bro-bot, is experiencing similar issues on what to do with himself. Might just be the plight of a generation really.
So what do I do with myself, I'm finding out that I'm not terribly good at administrative tasks from working at Eastern Edge. It is a good learning experience there, and very appreciative for it. My problem with it I just don't know how to excel in the situation or environment. Getting a lot of sponsorships and donations seem to be one way. But to me it seem that some of it is just luck of the draw, you get responsive people and other times you don't. There doesn't seem to be a method of leading there, is there any way of leading in administrative tasks besides just doing your work promptly and on time? There does seem to be a large amount of adminstration in the art world, so one does have to get better at it.
The job ends in September, and I really don't know what I'm doing. I might score some Joe Job, which from what I'm seeing is the best I can hope for. That will be minimum wage, and will suck. I can't afford to live on just minimum wage. There might be an opportunity in Grenfell in October at the gallery there, but then that will be for quite a few months and I would be leaving my bro-bot in a lurch along with leaving on the Don Wight Scholarship at St. Michael's. The opportunity at Grenfell would be decent dollars. Yet leaving St. Michael's would be wasting good time at the shop making art. Assuming my Joe Job gave me enough time to do so. The opportunity might not even arise, so should shut up about it.

I am applying for the NLAC grants in September, working on the grant proposal; that would be the Shed project. I'm ordering some inks Monday with some people at the shop in preparation for the print and drawing project I'm working on. Reading about the John Franklin Expedition for the North West Passage today. I, as said before got to start work on that soon, yet in defense I find the literature really exciting. Though in terms of concept it seems to be approaching the "About 1865" project that Tony Scherman worked on. He did a series of encaustic paintings based on the events of the American Civil War. Beautiful paintings, though not positive on the conceptual perimeters. Anything as a starting point perhaps?

I finished my editon Saturday, dated them, and signed them. Still have yet to get a picture, but will soon.

So I have been printing a lot this week, and finally got one of my editions done. I have to tear the paper tomorrow [mostly because of not using a guide for laying paper down and eyeballing it] and sign, date, and register them at St. Micheal's. Then finally the printshop chop.

Started wiping two other plates this week as well. I'll be printing my lithograph tomorrow. Ordering some colour print inks this upcoming week, for both etching and lithography. Ordering your own inks make you realize how good you had it in school.

Borrowed a few books from the library, one is Jim Dine Prints 1970 - 1977 which is a decent catalog of works of his during that period. I would like to do a homage to one of his works, a slight updating of his etchings called "Four Kinds of Pubic Hair". They are definitely a product of the time, so I would like to do a contemporary version. A landing stripe perhaps. I'll get a scan of he etchings in question, and post soon. The book has a very good interview with him as well, and offers some insight into his work.

The other book I'm reading now is The North Pole: A Narrative History edited by Anthony Brandt. It's published by National Geographic. It has excerpts from selected Northern explorers from their diaries, book, etc. Should be good for my current research and art project. I really got to get producing more work on it as well, before I get bogged down and the excitement dies.

The relief woodblock prints I had started on some skateboards got a little shot at tonight. An artist Dennis McNett who is interviewed on Fecal Face and is also a printmaking professor in New York had done some. Not sure if he printed them or just carved, but takes a little originality out of my idea. Still going to continue it, for I'm playing with some other elements of the skateboard as well.

That' it for now, been a long day. Listening to Daft Punk's Something About Us Video. Certain people in my head.

Always act fool fool, looking slightly uncool cool.

Been a quick week, lots of goings on at Eastern Edge Gallery, getting ready for the 24 hour art marathon. Like it when we're busy. Got a really good team there. I do wonder if I'm getting enough vitamins however, because i am so tired after work. Probably been eating healthier than I have ever. Maybe the heat?

Still working on my editioning of my etching, up to nine or ten, need two more I think. Then I have to print my litho. Get that over with. I have some new ideas to get on to. Wish I had some assistants sometimes, gotten a lot of ideas lately just not enough time to get them all done. Got to remember I got the rest of my life, been told that the weekend. Got to keep it in mind.

There has been a visiting artist from Ireland this month at St. Michael's, Gemma Anderson, and she did a workshop this weekend. It was on line etching and doing multpile colours on a plate. She also showed us how to smoke a plate using a flame on a hard ground. Great old fashion pintmaking technique, not used very much anymore. I was the assistant during the workshop, which was good. Got to participate in etching a plate as well; a small 4" x6" zinc plate. I proofed it today, decided it needed a little more work.
There was a little reception afterwards for work of Gemmas and her partner Sam Douglas had in the St. Michaels gallery. Was fun, met some new people, little drink, was good. The old Jonathan was back briefly, schmoozing.haha.

The plans for this week is to finish the edition of my etching. There is also the matter of the lithograph, which should take 3 or 4 hours. I have three other etchings that I should print as well. Trying to overestimate myself here, there is always my perchance for laziness or being tired. Hopefully a litho stone will be grained as well.

Despite all this work, it has been a confusing time. Lots of thoughts on what to do for the future, what goals do I have, what should be my new dreams be, do I have any new dreams? I have ideas for new bodies of work, but thats about it. No new job options or plans for September. I looked at school again, even looked at getting a trade lik welding or carpentry. Thought I could apply it to art in the future and I could. However it is really just a comfort thing- go back to school-safe there and in the familar learning environment- not dealing with the real world yet. As I said above, i'm just acting a fool. Don't even know if I should stay in St. Johns or not, I feel I shouldn't, but why? I wouldn't be able to answer you. Can I live in the moment? Just enjoyin the floating about. Why do I have to set a course so early?

I jut want to be a baller...

To do a large scale three dimensional rubbing of a shed, which is then reconstructed through the hanging of the sheets of paper. The reconstruction is lit from the inside; illuminating the paper and creating an object that has a spectral quality about it. This project is in response to death and mourning, and the

This work is inspired by the art of Do-Ho Suh, and Rachel Whiteread. Though I also feel it comes out of the work I have pursued the previous year as well as my printmaking knowledge.

Detailed description:

The idea is to capture the nuances and details of a shed on my family property. The shed was built by my grandfather, all by his own hand. I would use large sheets of thin asian paper and do a rubbing of each side of the shed, including the roof. This would done all by my hand, using graphite sticks. The measurements would be :
By doing a rubbing of the surface of the shed, I would be creating a negative or inverse image of the shed. This would be related to the memories associated with the shed [ unsure of this]. The sheets would be hung, reconstructing the spatial area of the shed. The sheets would hang loosely from the top support through cable/string[?], giving a wavering quality to the work according to the environment conditions i.e: people walking past.
The structure would be lit from the inside by a LED light, the light would illuminate the the negative spaces created through the rubbing process. This would contrast against the dark grey of the graphite.

This is the first draft of this, so please comment and give me any criticism or advice.

I wish I was feelin like a pimp, but over wiped my plate tonight. Not too happy about that Should of done it in good light, instead of acting a fool in the dark. Just haven't been thinking straight. End up wasting a piece of paper. It always comes down to the economics. Got to keep my mind sharp, can't be looking a chump to people.

Keep feeling like i got to reinvigorate myself, change some habits; learning and thinking a lot this summer, new perspective on a lot of things. Especially the art scene. Least here.

This caught my eye recently, The World's Smallest Art Fair. It's a neat idea, a simple concept but wors.

A update of my whereabouts lately:

Been workin at Easter Edge Gallery, trying to get the 24H.A.M up and on the roll.

Printing when I can get off my lazy arse at St. Michael's Printshop. Currently in the process of editioning an etching, one of my rocket images. Not sure what the edition number will be, 13 or 15 seems a good number, currently on number 5.
I've had a lithograph hanging round as well, needing to be printed. Got to get that it printed soon, so I can get on to another one. Have a few ideas churning. The edition number will that will probably be the same as above.
Been currently debating the idea of editioning as well. Not sure if I like the justification of it. Editioning is for primarily economic concerns really, all goes back to it, ensuring its limited and rare, can ask for more money. So really unsure if I agree with it, goes againest some marxist tendacies of mine.

Drawing as well, some rockets and a new project. The new project deals with using the history and imagery of the North Pole Explorers. Manliplating history, maps, imagery, text, etc to reflect my own personal exploration. Inspired by Jane Urqharts book "The Underpainter", a quote found in it.

Besides that, I have another project in mind, which I will be writing a NLAC proposal for. Hopefully I get it, would be really swell. Probably will be hammering out the idea a bit on here. Send it to my homies, get their opinion on it.

Also reading Terry Eagleton's "After Theory", which is a realy interesting read. That will be followed by some Zizek.

Outside of that, I do waste a lot of time napping like a fiend in the heat, watching Seinfeld, surfing the internet way too long. Like now. Identified that I have a addiction to caffine, particularly coke. Got headaches from now having it all day.

Anyway, that's it.