Spalding Gray Lost

In a recent post I mentioned Spalding Gray. He's somewhat of a hero to me, which makes a couple of the people who care about me a little nervous. I was recently re-re-re-re listening to a monologue of his on NPR and there was a link to a bio PBS did on him.
I have a love/hate relationship with New York. I know that I really love it though because everything I love I have a love/hate relationship with. In a moment of doubt I just happen to come upon this link to a few words by Spalding (or "Spuddy') on New York.
On What Drew Him To New York:
"I knew I couldn't live in America and I wasn't ready to move to Europe so I moved to an island off the coast of America -- New York City . . . It was tolerant. It was a place that tolerated differences and could incorporate them and embrace them, which was what America was supposed to be about and wasn't. So it was the melting pot that was a puree rather than individual vegetables. I think of New York as a puree and the rest of the United States as vegetable soup".
On New York's Character:
"It's an insane angel; New York defies observation. It is completely, hugely in your face and what it is for me still is a human miracle, because if you go out in it, as I do, the fact that existence is -- is the miracle. The fact that New York continues in the face of all of the chaos, of the crime, of the madness, you just think that it would just pop and vanish, just explode".
On Living In New York:
"What's so fascinating about New Yorkers is that each person has a whole lexicon of personal logic in the way that they decipher and do what has to be done to enjoy, stay alive, take pleasure in this place. It's one of the few living cities where people are living in the city that they work in. You know, that's amazing in itself".

Now I feel good. What I feel even better about is that tonight is the season premier of my favorite and only television show that I watch: LOST. I get to enjoy hamburgers made by Lucky, share the company of one of my best friends Matt and completely loose myself for exactly 2 hours of glowing light.

Just for fun (part 2)

SeeqPod - Playable Search

my indoor voice

I don't like writing artists statements anymore. I'm assuming that when I put my best art foot forward the person looking at my work is not visually illiterate - especially considering the context in which an artist statement is asked for. If I apply for any kind of grant or residency that requires one I'm tempted to get cheeky. A-la Bruce Banner: Don't make me get cheeky, you wouldn't want to see me when I'm cheeky. I do my best writing in a conversational form. Many of my old posts on this blog are of stories or hypothetical ideas. I write (and often think) as if I'm Spalding Grey giving a monologue.
Sometimes though, after my morning coffee, I write enlightened emails instead of 2 sentence responses.
Maybe I figure that I have a mini-captive audience? Maybe I hope that an inspired dialogue will result?

Here is an email exchange with Chris who runs the gallery where I'm having my next show at in London:

Hi Chris,
Just wanted to let you know that the work was picked up yesterday.
I'll be bringing one more small piece with me on the plane so there is a little more to
play with in terms of the the work having a balanced conversation.

Thanks so much for arranging the flight and the shipping.
I'm really appreciative and excited.

Not sure if you're generally keen on titles for shows but I had some thoughts.
My work seems/needs to be looked at phonetically. All the bits, shapes, soft, subtle, hard, sharp parts
sort of spell out the image on a whole. Even describing my work to people takes some phonetic creativity.
I also like how a word when spelled out phonetically looks both abstract and of the english/latin language at the same time.
So something like:
\ˈpā-pər\ \ˈi-mij\

Another idea I had just came to me this morning when I was having a coffee at a cafe.
Often in my part of Brooklyn there aren't many cafe's without children being brought in
by people my age or a bit older. I heard a mother say to her son "Use your indoor voice".
That's something I heard a lot growing up. But I hear a version of that a lot as an adult (especially being an artist) - "use your inner voice" or "listen to yourself" or (in a more cheeky way) "listen to your inner child".

So I thought "use your indoor voice" in a lot of ways describes my work and the way one looks at my work.
It has a nice play on words and meaning.

Anyhow, just some thoughts.
I'll touch base with you in a bit.
Thanks again,
Aaron
......................
I like your suggestions for a title, 'use your indoor voice' has a nice direct evocation to it without being literal. Let me know what you decide so it can go on the card. Also, regarding the card, are there some hi-res images of the new work you could send?

Thanks,
Chris
......................

Who needs an artist statement?
Here are a few snapshots of some new work (click on to enlarge):



...a few details:

Send Me To Jail

I have this great idea about a new art residency. I've had this idea for a couple of years and I'm missing one piece of the puzzle to make it happen. Just incase you're not familiar with what an "art residency" is, this is it in a nutshell: you go away to some secluded, hopefully utopian-like local with groups of other kinds of artists to do nothing but make art, think, make some more art, get drunk, pass out and do it all over again anywhere from 1 to 3 months. I've been to a few. The best ones generally have the best food - oh yeah, they cook for you! Housing varies on the residency. At one residency I was in a little bungalo (that is spelled wrong but let us pretend I spelled it right) at another I had a room in a giant mansion. The studios range too. At one residency I had a studio in an old school house - which I loved. Some residencies are really fancy and some are survival of the fittest. Allies are formed, couples couple-up and secrets are shared. Days feel like weeks but somehow it all ends too fast and then you're back to the real world... and it sucks. You become close to people so quickly that it feels like you've known them for years - sort of intense. All this and making art is a lot of fun. Unfortunately the prestigious residencies are difficult to get in to. One of them I've applied to 4 times with no luck.

My great idea for a new art residency is not prestigious - its JAIL.
I want to go to prison to make art for a year. If you're thinking I'm nuts well go ahead. Friends I've told this to have already dime-store psychoanalyzed my reasoning. Honestly though, I just want to go somewhere and completely use every bit of idle time to draw (and if they let me - a little light collaging and painting).
I'll be completely taken care of too. I've earned that by paying my taxes for 16 years.
Okay, I know there might be some drawbacks: rape, bad food, cement floors, lights out time, mak'n doody in my own cell.
I've thought all that through. I went to school my whole life until college in West Philly public school. I was fine!
I make friends easily, I'm not threatening and I can draw pictures for people. I could even give tattoos!
My missing piece to this puzzle is what and how to commit the perfect crime to get me in jail for one year.
The judge and jury are not likely to throw me in jail. I have no prior record, I'm a tax paying college educated (almost) middle class white guy. Most likely they will want to fine me, give me like a thousand hours of community service and I'll have to appear in court multiple times. That is exactly what I do not want! Whatever crime I commit I'll have to plead the perfect case.
If the jury is confused about my intentions I'll bring some digital images of my work and a projector and make my lawyer allow me to give a presentation. It will be good practice for future artists' lectures I'll give.
Ultimately though, I need to figure out the perfect crime to commit.

The City Makes A Mural

This is one of my most favorite photos I've taken recently. Strange because I generally don't like anything with horses in it...
maybe some spaghetti westerns, thats about it. This post is also a poor excuse for a blog entry. My mind is spread a little thin and will be for the next month. When my texty stylings return I'll be getting back to recounting the strangely scripted events of my lively life.