In Between for Two Days More

In Between and I Live Here Now are on view for two more days at Velvet da Vinci. If you haven't had a chance to visit the gallery yet, now is the time. Later in the day on Friday I will take the installation down and pack up the jewelry before returning to the East Coast. I hope you can make it!

Velvet da Vinci is located at 2015 Polk Street in San Francisco.

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Decompression

my original thoughts and ideas for "In Between," folded up…

the last thing I did when I cleaned my studio and packed up yesterday

I'm beginning to decompress after an intense, and wonderful, three weeks at California College of the Arts. I cannot believe the amount of stuff that happened in that time and I have that feeling of being excited and inspired and sad that it's over all at the same time. This might just be the best way to end something…

See more pictures on Facebook.

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Now I am Here, #15

Finally posting after a long (but really good!) day… I began installing "In Between" today with the help of several assistants and my gallerist, Mike Holmes.  We started around 10:30 and worked until 6. Tomorrow I will return and finish.

The opening is tomorrow from 6-8pm at Velvet da Vinci located at 2015 Polk Street in San Francisco.

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Now I am Here, #14

I literally just finished my work. I always call the "time of death" when I'm done. It's not really the best way of putting it, but it's been a tradition for me ever since I completed the work for my first solo show in 2011. 

Very soon I will post photos and tell you all about it.

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Now I am Here, #13

One of nine necklaces in-progress... this one is for hearing.

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Now I am Here, #12

My students and I started cutting paper bows yesterday. There are 403 pictured here. These, along with as many as we can cut before Friday, will be suspended from the ceiling of the elevator shaft.

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Now I am Here, #11

A detail of my soldering pad after making all those jump rings last week.

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Now I am Here, #10

An image taken by Mike Holmes, my wonderful gallerist and friend, after I finished installing "I Live Here Now" in the garage at Velvet da Vinci yesterday. Mike is standing inside the elevator (where my installation will be next weekend) as I look out into the garage. The work looks incredible in the well-worn, distressed room and my exhibition marks the first time it will be used to show work. Special thanks to Nikki Coupee for all her hard work during the day.

Please join us tomorrow, October 18 at 7pm for my lecture and conversation. Then join us again for the opening reception for "In Between," the installation I'm making in conjunction with my residency at CCA on Saturday, October 25 from 6-8pm.

Velvet da Vinci is located at 2015 Polk Street in San Francisco.

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Now I am Here, #9

The beautiful wooden floor at Velvet da Vinci where I set "I Live Here Now" earlier today.

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Now I am Here, #8

I made and soldered 350 brass jump rings today... and these will become nine chains. 

My vision is blurry.

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Now I am Here, #7

I took a walk through Golden Gate Park the other day and loved watching the interplay of light through the trees in relation to my own movements and distance.

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Now I am Here, #6

 

I went for a drive along the coast this weekend and spent some time near the ocean. 

It was much needed time away.

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Now I am Here, #5

A view of my space from above. Books, laptop, notes, drawings, paper models, metal, collection of found objects…

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Now I am Here, #4

some things I have collected around the CCA campus

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Now I am Here, #3

looking up into the two-storey elevator at Velvet da Vinci, 

the site for my upcoming installation

Yesterday I went to Velvet da Vinci to see the space and it helped my thought-process and ideas immensely. Things are a bit more clear now.

The installation opens Saturday, October 25 from 6-8pm. My lecture and special showing of "I Live Here Now" begins on Saturday, October 18 at 7pm. Both shows close on Saturday, October 31. 

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Now I am Here, #2

my view as I waited for BART this morning 

These hills are just out of reach and hazy, and that's how I feel about my ideas right now.

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Now I am Here, #1

I began my residency at California College of the Arts today. I set up my space, got a feel for the studio and gave presentations to students in two different classes. I began critiquing student work with the senior BFA candidates and I took a short walk around campus. Everyone has been so welcoming and they seem really happy to have me here. When I stepped into my studio space, I was greeted by a welcome sign, snacks, bottles of coconut water and an orchid.

Because I imagine the next few weeks to be intense, I'm going to try something new on the blog: I will post a picture every day, a process photo, an image of something that is inspiring the work, a picture of the school… I won't be writing much, but will share a moment with you each day as I work. Then in November when I'm back in New York, I'll go into greater detail.

For now, just to refresh your memory, I will be in residence at CCA for the next three weeks. I will be creating an installation while I'm here and it will go inside an elevator at Velvet da Vinci. I will also be critiquing student work and sitting in on classes at school. My installation at Velvet will open Saturday, October 25. In addition, I will give a presentation at Velvet on Saturday, October 18th about "I Live Here Now." Both the installation and selections from "I Live Here Now" will be on view at the gallery until October 31.

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Guest Star Friday #141… Tord Boontje

Rough and Ready

A few years ago my brother gave me a Tord Boontje book. It sat on a table in my studio for a few weeks before I even opened it. It was so beautiful with its textured cover, rich photographs and pages of perforated drawings of birds and leaves. I was scared to open it up, just looking at it overwhelmed me, but when I did, I was so happy. The work of Tord Boontje is a balance of natural aesthetics and modern design, while blending tradition with the contemporary. It's intricate and lush, incorporating imagery like deer and trees in repeated patterns and layered forms. It also has an uncomplicated way about it with clean lines and simple design. There are stark pieces like the raw furniture collection "Rough and Ready" and there are more ornate pieces like "Table Stories" and "Ice Branch." What I am most interested in are the environments he creates by placing objects in spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Sometimes a singular curtain hangs among trees, appearing to float in the air just as the leaves on the surrounding trees do. Then in other photographs, objects are shown en masse or collaged together establishing an unique environment. In both cases a new space is created with an attached story and feeling.

Table Stories

Little Flowers Falling

Fabric Room

Ice Branch

Wednesday 

See more of my Tord Boontje favorites on Pinterest.

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Television Report

Yesterday I was interviewed for an upcoming arts program for local PBS station WSKG. It was as interesting and fun, and weird, as I thought it would be. We started at Cherry Branch Gallery and video was taken of me detailing the display of each piece in the show--I think there might be some nice close-ups of my hands moving the work around here. Then more video was taken of the individual works on their own and the show as a whole. Next we went to my studio for the interview in which I was asked questions about memory, handcrafted work, the Island of 14,264 Days and the time Amy Lee of Evanescence wore my jewelry to the Grammys, among others. We did a couple of takes due to noise and I tried really hard to sound as natural as I could. It did not feel natural, however, and even though it will probably sound just fine, I have a hunch I won't feel like I did a good job. I also imagine it will be hard for me to watch the final piece. It's just so strange to see oneself like this! It seems like I forgot everything and stumbled with my words… As I sat there, I realized, it's no wonder I feel so strange, I just don't have a lot of experience with live interviews. Most interviews I do happen via email and I have a chance to be really thoughtful with my responses. As with anything, I know I would get better with these live ones with practice.

In addition to the interview, I also worked at my bench and did some soldering. The day was finished with details of my studio, my tools and my collections. All in all, it was very interesting to be a part of and I am excited for the opportunity. I enjoyed watching Christy and Stacey from WSKG set up the shots and get the lighting and sound just right. A GoPro camera was used, as well, and it is quiet possibly the cutest camera I have ever seen.

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Next Up: Television

I'm going to be interviewed today by local public broadcasting station WSKG for a program called Artist Cafe. I've never been on TV before so this is a new experience for me and it's both exciting and unsettling. I did make a video for my crowd-sourcing grant a few years ago and I imagine I will feel as strange for today's interview as I did for that short piece. It's just weird and awkward to be in front of a camera and it makes me feel pretty insecure. As I said last week, I love lecturing but being on camera is another thing entirely. With that said, I also have to talk about my excitement. What a great opportunity this is and I know the process will be interesting to be involved with. I really like that it will be a part of public broadcasting, too, something I value and use. The staff of WSKG and I will begin at Cherry Branch Gallery where my exhibition "I Live Here Now" is on view. Then we will travel to my studio. I'm not sure when the piece will air, but I will let you know.

Thanks for reading.