.carolinecblaker.

Self as Informant

In: Artists, Conceptual Art, Conceptual Art Theory, Studio

Drawing a blank. Once you graduate from self-relecting art, what’s next? Jim Lutes and the Whitney Biennial helped me find the answer.

I am underinformed. Underexposed. Underperforming. Under a rock. No, seriously! There is so little to make art about that I just don’t. its not I don’t want to - but what about? How? If I can do anything, why do anything? But this is unacceptable. I’m a capable professional in other aspects and I can’t even coach my own painting? Ok. ok. Maybe if I start reading..

My first move is to pick up the exhibition catalog from Eye Infection, featuring artists Robert Crumb, Jim Nutt, Peter Saul, H.C. Westerman, and Mike Kelley; five men without permission or collaboration successfully deconstructing perception same as the “rules” of conceptual and fine art. Or at least now that’s what they are known for, without the whole rogue aspect: they are all monumentally celebrated now for breaking a tradition that was redefined as such along the same lineage. Its a surprise to myself that I haven’t looked at this book in years despite schlepping it around and admiring its spine whenever I enter my studio. Its also a surprise, but not entirely, that I had never read the text, only gazed at the …

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State of the Studio - 05/05/10

In: Conceptual Art, Conceptual Art Theory, Studio

What should amount to more time in the studio has not yet - but last night I blasted through the lethargy that had been creeping in around my home workspace.

I'm pleased to say that I have left the 9-5 workforce in favor of making my dreams come true in the ways of creative work and living the American dream. In this brave new world, I'm finding that I'm standing on the edge of something powerful I've only dreamed of getting this close to before. Its not only great, but numbing. Now that I'm here, what do I do? What efforts do I need to make? Where should I focus my attention? How do I go further than this?

In looking into myself for answers, I come up remarkably blank.

This has been the trouble, however, for awhile. Its nothing new. Same ol' too much to do and not enough time. Same ol' money first, creativity last. Same ol' peripheral tasks that numb my brain and consume my energy. On top of that, a terrific partner who deserves and gets a lot of my quality time.

Its not that I don't have time to do work - its more that I'm the type of person that is likely to act on motivation to avoid pain than to derive pleasure or, …

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One Million Bones on the Washington Mall

In: Artists, Conceptual Art, Conceptual Art Theory

In 2013, one million bones will flood the national mall like a mass grave in protest of our government turning away from genocide in Rwanda, Burma, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on our watch. After the Holocaust, we promised 'never again' yet our lawmakers have continued to turn the other cheek to these contemporary atrocities. What can you do? Its very simple. Read on.

Genocide: a historical event of epic proportions. Mass ethnic cleansing - killing millions of people in the name of .. something. Its far away and its long gone, right? If this were going on now we would hear about it all over the news right?

Actually, this time, the contemporary genocides, while being as lethal as the Holocaust are as secret as the Freemason rituals to the United States and other first world countries: most people do not know, and others are not talking. The facts are that genocide is happening right now. Right NOW. Its happening with our government's knowledge AND with no intervention- we are simply allowing for it to happen without objection, despite the 'never again' promise post WWII. If you feel in any way that this is completely unacceptable, somewhat remotely unacceptable, or otherwise not acceptable, there IS something you can do. Artist Naomi Natale wants you (yes, You! and your hands) to make a bone to represent one victim for display in this massive art installation on the National Mall.

Natale's goal is truly impressive - one thousand bones, every day, for three years. After having met …

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