Subversive Guerrilla Art Video

Finished up the video on Thursday, here it is for your viewing pleasure: clicka

Installation Project 1 - Ellis

I rethought my concept about the globe after Michael Beitz asked me if I really thought the world was going down the toilet. I don't really think the world is going down the drain; I believe it is the headlines that we are inundated with on a daily basis that tell us it is so. Therefore, I chose to install my piece in front of one of the large 'front page' posters on the wall surrounding The Charlotte Observer's building in uptown Charlotte. I used a copper spiral (natural element) to connect the globe (symbolizing the world) with a toilet seat (symbolizing the drain). I toyed with adding actual headlines along the spiral, both wrapped or hanging as Tibetan prayer flags, but found that nothing was added to the final piece by doing so. The piece remained installed until the steadily increasing wind started to blow it over. Fitting, I suppose, as I caught the installation and 'saved' it. So...my final message is this: WE can 'catch' the world and save it from ourselves!

Amanda Installation

Here are pictures from Amanda project 1

They are not in sequence. Outside her apartment she had the table set up with the wine and deserts. Then we had to go into her apartment!

My Project

Here are some images from my first part of my project!

Subversive Guerrilla Art 2

Took the ol' box out for a spin a second time on Thursday, and the thing for which I was waiting finally occurred: a cop stopped me and asked me what I was up to! I explained that it was an art project, and though he apparently decided that I was a harmless student and not a terrorist, he nevertheless told me to "wrap it up" because I was "spooking people." I of course didn't argue that it was just an empty box and nothing to be afraid of, but rather called it a day. After all, the statement on the box became undeniably true, so I had nothing left to prove.

Again, I was unable to get this incident on camera because I was walking at the time, the camera was in my pocket, and I certainly didn't want to make a move for my pocket while getting stopped by cops. I plan to have the fully edited video done by Thursday, then I suppose I ought to come up with a new project.

Oh, and it might be hard to see in these small images, but one is of a cop nudging the box with his foot (not the same cop who stopped me) and the other is the box next to a trash can, which is where the cop placed it after inspecting it.

Here are some of the other images.

Here are some of the images I plan on uploading more. I think James made a very astute observation about the outline the participants drew were not as organic as the traced outlines.

birdseed 3 days in

Birdseed installation 3 days in. Some minor evidence of birds having eaten. Will make final visitation to site on Sunday.

Thank you Reese for your assistance in photographing.

INSTALLATION GROUP: JAMES, BRANDON & MARY

James, Brandon and I began our journey of exploring the public space around the university by walking to the library to share the contents of our suitcases. We ended up in the science section which was appropriate because James’ suitcase was full of dirt. I will let James share his thoughts about the contents of his suitcase through the email that he sent to me:

"When presented with this exercise I thought about all of my material possessions and their different levels of value. I came to the conclusion that they mean very little to me. Sure we use objects as memory devices, however once we expend our time here we can take none of them with us. Having reached this conclusion I reverted back to my childhood and the countless days spent playing in the yard and the dirt. It was now apparent to me what my most prized possession was, the earth. This is why i chose to fill my suitcase full of soil to display as my work. The main thought that occurred to me during this was, "I have had dirt from the day I was born. I will have dirt when I have nothing else. I will have dirt after I die." After I made this decision I realized it could not have been any better. In bringing the soil into the "proper" art environment of Rowe, I was able to exercise the foundation of Installation art from its roots as land art. This simple act is a basis for understanding the potential usage of Installation as art, even if this work is not to be considered a work of art itself.” – James Hart

Brandon’s most prized possession was a photo of his grandfather who died when he was eight years old. However, it was the Mario Bros. games that inspired Brandon to do what he’s doing now – animation. Brandon likes to see things come alive on the screen and would like to design and create animated games. He chose to install the two games in Woodward Hall because he spent most of his early time at UNCC taking engineering classes. He learned that engineering was not the field for him, and switched to art. The two Mario Bros. games were installed near the bulletin board that students pass by on a regular basis.

I have dozens of items in my suitcase that are precious to me, and even more at my home. Each one represents the memory of a loved one deceased, a loved one still in my life, a special time, an awesome trip, etc. I have kept many objects that trigger my memories, but if all the objects blew away one day, I would be still be OK. It is really the feelings and memories that I cherish. I just like looking at the objects from time to time. I chose to install my Koala bear in front of Rowe Arts because we have both come a long way on our journey through life. The Koala bear was chosen in Australia while my daughter and I were at a Rotary International Convention in 2003. We were careful in our choices, she and I, and 'adopted' two Koalas with what we felt were compatible personalities :). The Koala serves as a reminder of that awesome time with my daughter; has helped open lines of communication when Emily was a teen and something was bothering her; and reaffirmed to me the generosity and kindness of Rotarians who sent a new Koala from Australia when Emily lost hers. Installing the Koala which represents so much to me in front of Rowe Arts symbolizes to me the blending of my past life with the life towards which I am journeying. My past life allows me to go forward boldly into my new life.

How Aware Are You? Installation Video

Here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNOHYjYTmSA

Der

Birdseed

Here are pictures of the birdseed installation. My initial plan was to install iton the street in front of the bank. However, Bradley was kind/smart enough to ask the building manager for permission to install it in the courtyard adjacent to the building, and luckily we were able to do such. Probably due to wind birds never arrived. However, I do have permission to return to the site for additional photographs in the near future.

In class installation project

Group Members:

Amanda

Reese

Christian

Items in the suitcase:

Amanda: objects that had her name such as; I.D, diplomas, Credit Card, student ID

Reese: IPod, bag, leather coat

Christian: Band memorabilia, soccer jersey, awards, headphones, drum sticks.

After the assignment was given to us, we decided to go to the Rowe lobby where we each choose an object from our suitcase. Amanda ‘s item was a nametag, Reese decided to use his book bag/military bag and Christian decided to use a award he was given in the past. After choosing our items we decided to place them in the Rowe arts lower gallery. Then we decided to go to the 10th floor of the library, we decided to put the items there because we wanted the items to overlook campus. After the library we decided to go to the student union and then the parking lot besides the union. After taking the pictures we each set down and talked about what each piece meant to each other. Each item had different meaning for each other however as a group we agreed that the items work well as one.

Kacie, Kadejah, Bradley Group Installation

Group Members/ Items Brought:

Kadejah: Fan, Pictures, Necklace, Basketball, Teddy Bear

Bradley: Pictures, Grandpa's Shoes, Old Letters, Disc Golf

Kacie: Blankie :) , Picture

Secure/Comfortable Space: 

After walking around for a little while, we decided to reveal our items, along with their stories in the upper level lounge of Storrs. This space was really appealing to us because it had nice lighting and was somewhat enclosed for privacy. As we took out all of our items, we placed them on a cardboard structure that was beside the table we were sitting at, in order to view them all together as a group before picking each one out individually. A picture of this can be seen to the right. We ended up choosing a Photograph that each of us had brought, for the item to install.

First Installation Space: 

Our First Place that we placed all of our items, was in the Installation structure built outside of Storrs. We Chose this space because again, because the sunlight coming down from the top of the structure, was appealing to us on a few levels. Also because the structure was enclosed, so our items still had some sort of privacy.  The picture on the right, is Bradley's photograph that he chose. It is a photograph of Marek and Maya. He chose this picture because they are two people in his life that have encouraged him to be the artist that he is today, and have supported his every step forward. I thought that this picture came out the best out of all of ours taken in this particular space. 

Second Installation Space: 

Our Second Installation Space was at this Sculpture found outside of the CATO (I think that's what it is called) building. We chose this Sculpture, because we all wanted to use a touch of humor in this second space. I chose my picture for this one, because I liked how we were emerging to the scenes by connecting the sky in the photograph I brought with the sky above the buildings. This photograph is important to me because it is my backyard from when I lived in Lake Placid, New York. It has always been important to me to remember where I came from [my background]. A person's background shows a lot about who they are, and shapes them as a person. I feel as though a background/space also shapes a piece of art. 

Third Installation Space: 

Our third Installation Space was the French Fries Sculpture outside of Peet's Cafe, on the bottom floor of Fretwell. We chose this sculpture to place our objects on, because we wanted to make really terrible commercial art important to us, by putting or most prized possessions onto the sculpture. I chose the picture that had Kadejah's photograph in focus, because I thought her frame had the best contrast against this yellow sculpture. Kadejah chose this photograph of her mother and her father in remembrance of her father whom passed away six years ago. She said having only photographs left of her father is what her drove her into being the photographer that she is today. 


More good photos: 

UNCC INSTAL DAY PROJECT!!!

First we met as a group and went through the items we had brought for this assignment in a secret location in the Rowe building. The items were displayed and stories accompanying each item were given. These items included:

Rob: Camera, Car keys , and Headphones (music)

Tom: Suitcase, assortment of journals/sketchbooks, two stuffed animals, photos, copper head snake head in a jar, father surgery chest wires in a jar, certificates, Christmas ornament, and god daughter memorabilia.

Der: Notebook Computer, her first monumental purchase.

After some discussion we went out on campus and made installations with our items. As a group under Rob’s direction we each chose an item that we felt was the visually and conceptually strongest. Rob’s item was his camera. He felt that not only was it aesthetically pleasing it also represented his main creative outlet and a force that has shaped his life. Der went with her Notebook. She chose to only bring one item because the notebook is not only the single most valuable item that she owns it has become almost a part of her persona. Tom was told to use his suitcase, there was some dissent as to whether it should be depicted open or closed, and after some debate we decided to let Tom have his way and show the suitcase closed. Even though the rest of the group felt the suitcase open was one item, we eventually decided that it was more powerful visually if it was closed.

We toured the campus. After choosing nine sites we took photos of each of our items in three sites. Although we have over 4 photos for each setting these are the photos we feel are both the most visually pleasing and convey how the items changed the nature of, or enhanced the setting.

ROB:

DER:

TOM: