Krasnoyarsk

NATURE BOX pix & project summary

2009-06-20T11:06:00.008-04:00

BEFORE...

AFTER !!!

“Nature Box” is a collaborative temporary public sculpture installation made completely of reclaimed paper, cut and modeled, then wheat pasted onto the existing surface of a dilapidated old building. Inspired by the beauty of the garden in which this old building is situated, and the choice to use only reclaimed paper materials such as newspapers and magazines we began on a creative journey that started a bit rocky and disjointed and unsure. Through the process of collaboration and idea exchange we were able to develop a unified concept and the artwork resulted in a cohesive and successful work of art.

My own goal was to incorporate my approach to working in the realm of temporary public art- and that is to apply paper onto outdoor building structures. It was very important for me to come and demonstrate how something beautiful can be made out of pretty much valueless materials. I wanted to cover the building in a page from a newsprint flier of which Christina located hundreds of copies. This newsprint page was advertising wooden garden type structures built in the traditional Siberian domestic architectural style. By having many of these pages with pictures formatted in squares and rectangles, through repetition a pattern was established which looked a lot like brick work.

This notion provoked a very negative reaction and the word “paint” kept being introduced. I’m like “why paint?, you already know what paint can do”. Finally at a point during our first workshop discussions Andrew said, “They have come all this way to work with us, why don’t we trust them”. So it was decided, we would begin by covering the building in this paper. I promised if they hated it we could change it.

Did they hate it? Hardly. They loved it- we loved it. The pattern worked particularly well from a distance. The most vocal doubters were the ones most impressed with the transformation. Plus it is fun to do, to witness on the scale of architecture something change so drastically with such simple means. I asked if they were enjoying the process. I can’t remember who said it but someone responded, “it isn’t everyday we get to cover a building in paper.

People brought in sketches on how to continue from here. There were a lot of book references because the building was situated on the grounds of a teachers college; Alex wanted to do a more political statement by depicting factories. Eugene’s idea to use the windows and doors as portals to other realities was the most conceptually tight given the nature of the building, plus having designated “canvases” helped with the organization
of the overall composition and was site specific. It was difficult steering people away from new unrelated ideas and keeping us on track- but not impossible.

We basically established an idea of nature conquering and taking over. What began with the notion of pastoral landscapes placed into the window and door frame turned into an opportunity for each person to contribute collaged elements in his or her own style, enough so we could compose them together and motifs would be repeated through out what we do together. Dimitri, a professional artist working mostly commercially really wanted to do a tree and pushed for it unrelentlessly to the point we agreed that it did fit conceptually but he would have to confine it to and around the door area instead of right smack on the corner, as he would have liked. This decision also was based on the fact that it would be made of paper mache and would be more protected inside the deep recess of the door.

Elements were brought in of all sorts, including a pair of kissing flowers; being big, bright and colorful they matched well with my own super colorful flowers. Maria made lovely mandalas all in whites which lended a very nice tranquility here and there to a very lively composition. Alex really wanted a factory, okay we said as long as it can be depicted being taken over by nature- a great added message to our concept. Masha a young fine artist who paints as well as does experimental performance art with other artists rendered it to Alex’s specifications. Sasha wanted to incorporate a cat that he would make at home. “Make it work”, I said- and he did.
Dimitri went at his tree solo on site until we added leaves, which everyone cut and applied. But at one point, because he used the same paper that we covered the building with it was this strange morphing image, the tree and building being one and the same. I loved this image and felt it would have stood on its own as opposed to being painted realistically as the initial consensus was. To integrate the tree more fully into the rest of our piece, we decided on a transparent brown wash, which revealed the patterned newsprint underneath, with added paper leaves attached it became more generally accessible to a public not yet exposed to contemporary public art.

It was such an interesting process; we lived and acted out a creative thinking process- from a general notion to a successful and finished product.

On a personal level, the experience of working with these young, creative and intelligent Siberians was an opportunity of a lifetime. I am so impressed by their commitment and energy- I would have taken them all home with me. I hope to stay in contact with them (Facebook helps!) Because I want to see where their lives take them! There is so much potential!

Sneak preview

2009-06-11T21:24:00.004-04:00

I had to do some collaging at times on my own to
keep us up to speed. Note the box of Russian wheat paste.
It's not the first time I turn a hotel room into
a makeshift studio. Being an artist is so funny sometimes.
But see these Black-eyed Susans I like very much-
idea for another project, another wall, another place and time...

We Finished!

2009-06-11T21:02:00.006-04:00

However- lesson number one: Always get a good establishing shot- which I forgot to do and will get this morning. Don't want to post without it. In the meanwhile enjoy more pics of some of the awesome people I worked with!

Yana

Sasha and his Cat

Alex wants to be a psychologist/therapist.
A relatively new profession here in Russia.

Masha & Christina. Masha is an artist-
note the funky beret.
Christina studies physics and
speaks English very well and is very
fun to have around.

The Art Squad- some of them. Most people were in the middle of exams
or have jobs and were not able to come every day. Most managed to come for a few
hours everyday because they were lovin' the experience so much. We had fun. But we also
produced a rather amazing public art work! Some talk about wanting to do future projects on
their own- having heard this I think "my job is done"! And we all made a lot of new friends!

Public Art?

2009-06-11T13:19:00.004-04:00

Wrong! A rock concert promotion.
Alice Cooper & Scorpions are coming to Krasnoyarsk!

Gone Fishin!

2009-06-11T12:16:00.004-04:00

Ivan and Nastia working on a school of pixelated fish in a pixelated river.

Feed Me!

2009-06-11T12:10:00.004-04:00

Ivan working on one of his garbage men.

Childish Things

2009-06-11T11:54:00.006-04:00

The benches became the canvas for poetry that reminds us that we are always children at heart...and a great way to meet guys too apparently.

Change is a Comin

2009-06-11T11:47:00.003-04:00

All along the park, the trash cans and benches were being made over from and institutional green and yellow to violet and white. But this is just the beginning of the transformation.

At The Other End of the City...

2009-06-11T11:30:00.006-04:00

Is the long park just outside the youth center. All the projects are inspired by childhood. Olia is working hard on her game which uses the paving patters like pixels- reminiscent of the earliest computer games . This is a game within a game with three levels of difficulty. It can be played on foot or while riding a bike.

2009-06-10T00:22:00.020-04:00

We have blackened our windows and doors to push the idea of
an inner void, from which our plant life will burst forth.

Individual contributions are clear with the elements that
we are each making with old magazines, cutting and pasting,
making beautiful, weird and fantastical flowers!

Creativity is very messy!

Some lovely details made by Maria.

It really is messy at the end of the day, but proud of it.
Plus we are considerate of our surroundings and clean up well.

More elements. Some of our collage material was donated
from a nursery school. Note the egg shapes which
we will use as flowers.

Of our entire group Christina (KPYCTYHA) is famous
for having the most beautiful eyes in the land.

And Sasha is our very own Rapunzel

Our first elements go up.

Our first flower!

Eugene begins the layering.

Masha & Alex working together on the factory
image that is being overtaken by nature.

What is Dimitri doing?

...making an awesome high relief tree out of paper mache!

Still in progress, still plenty to do, it's not finished yet.
But we are satisfied so far. It's interesting working together
through a creative process like this. It's as though we have
become one big brain, and often arrive at the same conclusions
simultaneously.

Paper Thin White Tulips

2009-06-09T11:46:00.004-04:00

Wow! Krasnoyarsk abounds with tulips! It makes sense when one thinks of it's geographic proximity to Turkey- Russia and Turkey both lie on the Black Sea. Tulips originate from the mountains of Turkey.

Sunday was a BIG day!

2009-06-09T10:45:00.015-04:00

We met with Nataliya Malaschyuk, Minister of Culture for the City of Krasnoyarsk.
We discussed all the possiblities for cultural exchange and there are many.

Ms. Malaschyuk is extremely passionate and energetic in her commitment for the arts, and Krasnoyarsk is fortunate to have such an advocate.

Then off to the Museum Center for a tour of this vast space.
Currently on exhibition is Goya & Dali- Dali responding to All of the
Goya "Caprichos" series. I had never seen them before. Mostly it
reinforced for me how "out there" Goya IS.

The Museum center also houses a commercial gallery featuring some of Krasnoyarsk's most successful and contemporary artists. There were many photo ops this day.

Finally we eat. Kendal, at lunch on the river, taking pictures
of people eating- just two -chicken hearts! They're the little brown
things lower left in picture.

Then off for a drive up the scenic Yenisei River. It was beautiful and romantic
beyond this funky photoshop can depict. So green, I thought of fables and
fairytales.

Hence the little cottage in the forest.

We never did learn precisely the custom behind tying bits of cloth, even a sock on the branches of this tree (near the massive damn)- essentially it means GOOD LUCK!

Guitar store sign in the Suprematist style

2009-06-09T10:08:00.005-04:00

I see much influence of Suprematism in the visible popular culture.

It occurred to me that more than anything I associate the Russian alphabet with it.

This is Krasnoyarsk!

2009-06-08T14:25:00.003-04:00

I Heart Chicken

2009-06-08T14:18:00.002-04:00

Luisa devouring a plate of chicken hearts.

"Hmm...It's Goood!"

Hello Madam Cultural Minister

2009-06-08T14:05:00.004-04:00

On our first and last non-workshop day we had a meeting with the Minister of Culture. Since we got here we were told about this meeting. We were informed that although the Minister would like to meet us, she was very busy and the meeting might last between 10 to 15 minutes. That was understandable since she was in charge of all the City Day activities. She started the meeting by telling us how her interests lie in the collaboration with culture, business, government and other cities and countries worldwide while using the talent and resources that Krasnoyarsk has to offer. I liked what I was hearing and immediately liked her. Long-story-short this very informative exchange lasted an hour and ended with invitations to a ballet and other performances as well as the promise that we will find a way to work together. I guess I didn't have to eat that luck ticket after all.

Getting Lucky

2009-06-08T13:48:00.006-04:00

A thirty-minute bus ride led us to the site I like to call the long park. This time I got a lucky ticket (when the sum of the first 3 numbers equals the sum of the last 3) but I didn't eat it (you're supposed to eat the ticket to complete the luck cycle).

We discussed logistics and reviewed proposals before taking more pictures of each other then rode the bus back.

The Transformation Continues

2009-06-06T07:15:00.006-04:00

It was a beautiful day in Krasnoyarsk. The sun was bright and not many clouds occupies the skies. Today's plan was to complete the base layer of the building and visit the park site and assign project locations. The building looks great with the newspaper wallpaper. The windows will serve as spaces for more elaborate collages of flowers and vegetation which references the surrounding gardens. These gardens are filled with flower of various colors, newly planted vegetables and wild marijuana plants.

Lion & the shovel, City of Krasnoyarsk Crest

2009-06-05T14:58:00.008-04:00

I like the official crest of Krasnoyarsk, a regal rampant lion holding a shovel. Not a sword, not a mace, but a shovel. It is proletariat just by nature. I wish we had one in NYC. Do we have one? Maybe a Rat with Daisy, a Dog with a Spoon? Any ideas?

This sign reads June 12, announcing City Day, the largest public festival in the city. Our public art projects will be unveiled on this very Day!

The Coverup Begins

2009-06-05T12:29:00.006-04:00

Today started with Slava telling us that we did not have permission to do anything to the building, but we decided to go to the site anyway because the young artists were meeting us there. We can always look at the site in greater detail and discuss how we would/could/should approach this project. By the time we got there, permission had been granted. We were caught off guard and a bit unprepared but things quickly fell into place and everyone was excited and wanted to wallpaper the building.

With the last of the wheatpaste gone, we decided to stop and continue the workshop over tea and snacks in one of the classrooms. When everyone was asked what they thought of the project so far they were all pleasantly surprised at how good it looked. From a not-so-far distance, the base coat of newspaper took on an interesting pattern- it will only get better.

Lights, Camera, Action

2009-06-05T12:24:00.002-04:00

Being interviewed by a popular news magazine about public art and out projects in Krasnoyarsk.

You'd Think We'd Never Seen a Rainbow Before

2009-06-05T12:19:00.003-04:00

Posing in front of a barely visible rainbow.

Great Way to End the Day

2009-06-05T11:59:00.004-04:00

After a long day which ended sometime after 9, Ira and Slava invited Luisa and I to their place for dinner. We took a quick bus ride, checked to see if we got a lucky ticket, went to the supermarket to buy some food and headed to their apartment. It was such a great atmosphere. We sat in this large Siberian rooftop apartment discussing the plural of rhinoceros (rhinoceri? rhinoceroses?), eating Russian bread, red caviar, drinking wine and roasted chicken which was cooked exquisitely in the fireplace. It was the perfect way to end the day (or start the day - we got back to the hotel at about 2am).

What Do You Mean Trash Can Be Beautiful?

2009-06-05T10:29:00.005-04:00

The First Master Class
Our quest to create a series of public art projects throughout Krasnoyarsk would take place through workshops. Each workshop is tailored to the needs and information necessary to move to the next step. The first workshop was a get-to-know-you, get-to-know-me with a bit of what makes public art, public art. This workshop started with a discussion about site-specificity, an important component of public art. I used some of the images I showed the previous day to illustrate how projects can relate to a site in a number of different ways. Once we were comfortable with the concept, we discussed that various ways we can approach sites and discussed homework.

The Homework
1. With the new found knowledge about site-specificity, each artist was to return the next day with some ideas for artworks. They can elect to work on either site or both. The ideas did have to be completely formulated but a basic concept had to be established.
2. Everyone had to bring paper, which will be used as the base for the broken down shack building in the courtyard of the teachers college.

The Uproar
The next day, prompt and enthusiastic, the young artists all did their homework and brought in discarded paper of various sizes, shapes and uses as they were instructed. We'd begin the day by discussing how we can use the paper as the starting point or base for creating a work of art out of an undesirable building.

Then it sank in.

Olia, one of the more enthusiastic of the bunch, and an English speaker at that, did not understand why we couldn't cover the shed with a more permanent and more desirable material like paint. Newspaper and used paper was not good enough and it will not last long enough. Why not make it permanent and with more traditional materials. Others piped in including Vladimir, an artists in his 40s, one of the older participants and expressed a similar opinion. In a flash, everyone was speaking at the same time, each voice raised higher than the other, trying to be heard. One's first instinct would be to give in and paint the shed instead of collage but I wasn't going to have it. The point of theses workshops was to to do something new and learn something new in the process. After an impassioned speech about ugly art created out of beautiful material and vis versa, I asked that they trust that Luisa and I knew what we were doing. They agreed, I shared some cookies, thanked them for being so passionate, and we continued.

Kendal Pushkin, I mean Kendal AND Puskin

2009-06-05T00:51:00.002-04:00

The Beautiful & Historic Krasnoyarsk City Center

2009-06-05T00:35:00.008-04:00

the very beautiful orthodox church towers

a "gentleman" handymans dream

this building is so interesting designed in the
classical style complete with pediment and pilasters but in wood!
sweet!

an antique apothecary

there are too many buildings to post and an entire style of highly ornate wooden architecture applied to houses that will be posted soon. stay tuned!

Street Art on Musuem Wall

2009-06-03T14:36:00.002-04:00

Spaceship Perhaps?

2009-06-03T14:34:00.002-04:00

Hi, We are Here to Make Art

2009-06-03T14:27:00.002-04:00

Our site visits were followed by a presentation of public art. Most of the participants did not know what public art is or how it can be used to brighten up a space and make a statement. In the image above, Luisa introduces them to her work. Later, all attendees were declared ARTISTS. About 50 signed up to participate in the project.

Proposed Site Number 2

2009-06-03T14:06:00.003-04:00

The second site can be found within the courtyard of a beautiful building that serves as the teachers' college. In front of the historic building, young teachers-to-be plant a garden. A few steps away is a pristine basketball court which is surrounded by the prettiest chain linked fence I've ever seen. As you continue onto a newly paved path, you pause, abruptly, and encounter our artwork site- a derelict building with chocolate brown window openings and accented with bright colored graffiti of words like pimp and toilet. Luisa is drawn to this site. It's calling her - begging to be beautiful. No doubt she can grant this building its wish.

The Proposed Sites Number 1

2009-06-03T03:50:00.004-04:00

Our first real day in Krasnoyarsk began at about 1 o'clock in the afternoon after an almost uneventful flight. I can hear you all asking "what made it ALMOST uneventful", so I will explain.

Our flight to Krasnoyarsk was only the first leg of a flight that would end up near Vladivostok, a city near the eastern end of Russia. Being a domestic flight, and us being the only non-Russians on board, only Russian was spoken over the intercom by the flight crew so any important instructions or directions announced went over our heads. When we alight the plane in Krasnoyarsk, we had the option of boarding 1 of 2 buses. One bus went to the terminal and the other took you to a transit terminal to wait while the plane refuels. This information was lost to us and we boarded the wrong bus. My first inclination that something was array was when we were handed transfer passes and were instructed to take a seat. We tried to communicated that our intention was to stay in Krasnoyarsk, but it took a while to get that across. Finally one of the airport workers understood what we were alluding to and called a bus to take us to the arrival terminal. By the time we got there, everyone had already collected their bags and left. Our lone bags were left on the luggage belt. I can only imagine what was going through Irena's head when she didn't see us among the other passengers. Looking back, if Andrei hadn't told us that the plane was making 2 stops, and we were a little dumber, who knows where we might have ended.

Where was I..., yes, the sites...The first site is located just outside one of a few activity centers within the district. It's a sliver of green space which is flanked by streets on both sides. A central path is surrounded by grass, peppered with dandelions and a variety of trees. At first, because of it's scale and organic nature, this site scared me. But thinking about it some more, and who the intended audience is, I'm beginning to get excited. I have decided that this site will be approached as collection of many sites and have the young artists create works that are discovered and intimate. As one walks along the path they will encounter little site-specific surprises. Let's see how this pans out.

A Secret Revealed

2009-06-02T13:02:00.000-04:00

One of the many sites in the center of St. Petersburg, Russia is the Anichkov Bridge which spans the Fontanka River. The bridge is flanked by four equestrian sculptures known as the Horse Tamers, 1849-1850.

On one ocassion while photographing the sculptures I was approached by a stranger who asked me if the knew the secret. Being a person who likes to be in the know I said I didn't but would really like to. He went on to inform me that the artist had strategically placed the likeness of Napoleon on the testicles of one of the horses.

I think he might be right.

Big Bang Theory and other cool hair cuts

2009-05-31T15:47:00.011-04:00

Other highlights from Hermitage

2009-05-31T15:20:00.005-04:00

This guard lady's hair matched the Monet! Talk about being influenced by art.

Seeing this Matisse made me truly happy.

Probably the most "pleasant" room I have ever been in.

My day @ the Hermitage

2009-05-31T14:55:00.005-04:00

To the left is by Picasso, skull with basketball. ha ha!

Skull details from the Hermitage collection covering a 500 year span! They are forever cool!

At Peter Paul Fortress May 29

2009-05-31T11:19:00.007-04:00

The Toilet Buses

2009-05-30T17:12:00.003-04:00

You know those ever present port-a-potties at huge events...well in St. Petersburg they have toilet buses. One designated for males and another for females. As you can see everything goes right into the sewer and a fire hydrant provides clean water.

Living Urban Sculpure

2009-05-30T17:11:00.001-04:00

As part of the 10 Anniversary of Pro Arte in St. Petersburg, a group of performers use the nooks and crannies of the Peter and Paul Fortress as the inspiration for creating living sculpture.

2009-05-29T05:04:00.002-04:00

Friday May 29 St. Petersburg
First Impressions:

A gorgeous city I can tell already. It has quite a European flavor to all the architecture, from what I have seen in my one evening here. The one evening that lasted till 2am- and stayed light till 1am. It is so cool to see the sun moving sort of laterally just under and across the horizon.

We are staying in a sprawling beautiful apartment filled with a combination of hand painted folk furniture, ornate plaster ceiling work,incredible ceramic fireplaces. And woven rugs all over the place!

I find the young Russian couples interesting to notice, there is something different about the way they hold hands and walk together in public, than say, how New Yorkers go about.

I love the Russian alphabet and am trying to speed learn it. I was able to read the clerks name at the sims card store. His name was Vladimir! I was quite proud of that moment.

This is going to be fun...

Wed. departure! Not quite ready

2009-05-25T08:01:00.002-04:00

Happy Memorial Day! I will not be going to the beach, but it doesn't matter because in two days from now I will be headed to Krasnoyarsk Siberia via St. Petersburg. I have a million things to do before I leave for JFK with Kendal on Wednesday. Mostly I have been moving myself out of 20 years of residing in the same work/live loft, into a small, but lovely apartment and a big storage unit.
Having a storage unit is very helpful. Today I plan to be done organizing it all and just cram everything in by the door- deal with it when i get back from Russia...

The other big thing I have to finish are presentation boards for my Arts for Transit project that will be presented to SHIPO (historical society) for approval. And of course spend quality time with my little boy Caleb.

ABOUT KRASNOYARSK!
I don't know what to expect. We will not have an interpreter, as in past years and neither Kendal nor I speak Russian. Kendal has been to Russia many times so he will be familiar with the culture and getting about at least. Our mission is to make a public artwork with a group of people/artists from the Krasnoyarsk arts community, culminating in it's unveiling on City Day! This is a big deal and I am very excited at leading and participating in a group like this. I am going prepared with scissors, wheat paste and brushes- what can we do with this collection tools- a giant wall mural collage using reclaimed paper! This is what I will propose- three weeks from now will be the moment of truth!?!?

6 days and counting

2009-05-21T11:41:00.002-04:00

In preparation for my trip to Russia- specifically 3 days in St. Petersburg and two weeks in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia- I have started a pile on my desk which includes a Russian language phrase book, aspirin (Vodka anyone!), a bag full of so many electronic cords for laptop, camera, ipod, bug juice for mosquitoes which are currently in season and three pairs of my favorite sunglasses for the long stretches of daylight!!

Where On Earth Is Krasnoyarsk...

2009-05-20T21:11:00.000-04:00

That's it there in the RED.