Final Project 4/22/10

I plan on my final project taking place at Morrow Mtn. State Park. Recently 50 acres in the park burned. I love black and white art, I plan to take pictures of the burned areas. I plan on taking the pictures in color. I think it will be neat to have burned out areas with a blue sky and pictures with life coming back, such as weeds.

What kind of art did I enjoy before taking this class? Before this class I enjoyed mostly 2-D art, black and white and realistic.

Has my definition of art expanded from this class? Yes, Sometimes I fail to see the art in advertising and film. I have a new appreciation for performance art, but still fail to see the art in some of it.

In class, was I successful making art that was personal or political? I feel that all of my projects were successful in portraying one or the other. My project from my childhood painted a picture of my life. The kimono that I made showed my personal view of excess. My last project, the grass hut, was built in my head for over a week prior to actually building the structure. I am continuing to improve upon it in my mind. The Tibet project definitely carried a political theme.

Did I enjoy making art that was displayed inside the classroom or outside of the classroom? I enjoy either, but building the structure was definitely a highlight to me.

What is my goal in studying art? Making art makes me happy.

What do I want to say with my art? I want to add beauty, convey a message and/or enlighten others with my art work.

Can my art make a difference to an audience member? Yes, The Tibet project definitely educated people.

Does that matter to me? I want people to like my art and appreciate it. If no one likes it, it must not be good, so yes, it matters to me.

Who am I making my art for? I am making art for me, for my satisfaction.

5/03/10 - Update, I hope to add a second part to my project. I would like to use materials from my yard to weave an art work. We'll see how it goes.

Environment (Grass Hut) completion notes 4/18/10

Emily Nielsen and I set out to create a gnome home in which a small child could play. When we happened upon the field of dead grass our gnome home evolved into a grass hut. We realized that we should add stability, so we cut down fresh limbs that we could mold into a dome shape. To give the hut a uniform shape, we drove a stake into the ground and used a string to create a circle. Then for additional stability we drove the stake into the ground every 12 to 18 inches, following the circle.


After removing the stake the limbs were placed in the holes and shoved into the earth as far as possible. The limbs we cut were 7 to 8 feet long, so we were able to construct a hut that was larger than we had first planned. We bent the limbs over and using small pieces of twine attached them to each other at their tips creating a dome affect.




We left the leaves on the limbs to help cover the shelter. After the structure of the shelter was complete, we used buttercup leaves to tie grass to the shelter for further protection from the elements and privacy.





We created a valance and a mat of buttercup leaves to add additional privacy and decorate the doorway.







When the structure was finished we took turns sitting inside of it. There was plenty of room. The structure was large enough for 2 - 3 children to play in comfortably. It is also adequate shelter in case of a light rain or light wind.





Some of our fellow students referred to our structure as "the birthing hut", in honor of Emily.







This grass hut was constructed using all environmentally friendly materials, that we left on site so, that park visitors can enjoy it. I went back to see the structure on Saturday and it was still completely intact.

Skip Schuckmann 4/09/10

1. Does he bring in additional materials or use only what he finds on site? He prefers to use local materials, but if he has to import anything, he prefers to use someones else's discards.
2. Why plastic bottles? For light
3. How long did it take to create the amphitheater?


Skip Schuckmann seems like a child that never grew up. Reading about why he creates his art takes me back a time when I would divert a stream or mud puddle, to a time when I would go out in the woods and move rocks or tree limbs to create a shelter. I respect his work and admire that he has found "clients" that want his work. I admire that he has found a way to do what he loves and make a living at it without having to go main stream, to a gallery or a museum.

Instead of working for a corporation, government agency or university, he helps individuals conduct resource planning on their land. He works by the day (not hour) and at the end of each day he and the client decide if he should continue. Schuckmann's work is never done, because it is part of the environment, it is forever evolving.

I envy that Skip Schuckmann is able to dig dirt, move rocks, burn tree limbs, and stack trees all day and enjoy doing it. This is a life I could live.
1. Why are there no photos of him on the internet?
2. Is he not widely known. He is only briefly acknowledged on the internet and usually along with someone else.
3. Does he collaborate with Linda Weintraub? Their names are mentioned together several times on the net.

Place (Environment) Project Notes

How did you feel today outside? I am very comfortable outside and like to create interesting areas outside of my home.

What caught your attention? I was interested in the plantings in the hollowed out logs.

Where are you most comfortable outside - I love to play in the woods or on the edge of the water. I like to make boats and watch them drift off.

What is your personal history with the outdoors - We spent a lot of time in the woods, playing army, making campsites, building tree houses or lean to(s).

What do you want to say? I would like to create a magical gnome house for little girls. This house would be constructed from all organic materials. I would use twigs for the structure and vines that I find in the woods and buttercup leaves to bind them. I haven't decided yet as to whether I will cover the structure with leaves. Another idea I have is to build a large bird cage that is on the ground. Children will be able to climb in and out of the cage.

Again, it depends on what you want to try to say with the work. I like the idea of caging a person in my art. Cool huh?

Comments to my ideas are welcome.

Emily and I chose a grassy area in Reedy Creek Park, where we will construct our dwelling. We like the tall grass and feel that this will make a nice covering for our twig, and vine structure. We plan on using natural vines, limbs and twigs, that we will bring with us. Buttercup leaves and vines will tie the limbs and twigs together and then time permitting, we will cover the top of the structure with the tall dead grass.

3/29/10 Daily Notes (Andy Goldsworthy)

I enjoyed the work by Andy Goldsworthy. His work with the ice that he shaped and sculpted looked beautiful as the sunlight radiated through it. It looked almost like actual lights. I appreciate the way he painstakingly created his art using only what he found on site.








When he began to create a project in the water at low tide, I couldn't see his vision. When I saw the shape which appeared to be a huge egg or pine cone, I loved it. I especially liked the way this project was recreated in different areas, such as the pasture where the alpine cows were able to interact with the shape.







The twig art work that was created at low tide was really neat. I couldn't wait to see what happened to it as the tide rolled in. I was hoping it would stay together and float for a while before breaking apart. When the teacher turned the video off, most of us had not seen enough.







The flowers attached to each other and placed in the water to drift with the current were quite peaceful and I wanted to watch them drift away. Looking at Goldsworthy's art has given me insight into my next project.