Daily Art Fixx

visual arts blog, painting, drawing, sculpture, illustration and more!

Theo Jansen: Kinetic Sculpture

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From TED Talks – a great presentation from Dutch kinetic artist Theo Jansen who demonstrates his lifelike kinetic sculptures. “Jansen has been working for 16 years to create sculptures that move on their own in eerily lifelike ways. Each generation of his “Strandbeests” is subject to the forces of evolution, with successful forms moving forward into new designs. Jansen’s vision and long-term commitment to his wooden menagerie is as fascinating to observe as the beasts themselves.

His newest creatures walk without assistance on the beaches of Holland, powered by wind, captured by gossamer wings that flap and pump air into old lemonade bottles that in turn power the creatures’ many plastic spindly legs. The walking sculptures look alive as they move, each leg articulating in such a way that the body is steady and level. They even incorporate primitive logic gates that are used to reverse the machine’s direction if it senses dangerous water or loose sand where it might get stuck.”

To see more video of Jansen’s fascinating work, visit StrandBeest.com.

Igor Skaletsky: Collage

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Russian painter/collage artist Igor Skaletsky studied at the Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute and began his adventures in collage only a few years ago.

Skaletsky works as an illustrator and when possible he makes it a part of his professional work. He works in both digital and analogue techniques, but prefers traditional collage because it gives him the ability to mix it with painting.

“Collage for me is a technique that widens possibilities to express myself. I think photography and painting perfectly complement each other and combining them, one can achieve an effect which is impossible in ”pure” traditional technique. Collage is unique in its ability to organically combine things which, at first glance, are absolutely incompatible and do not represent any artistic value in themselves. I like the moment when isolated pieces of paper suddenly start “playing” with each other when I put them in the common living space of collage.”

Recently, Skaletsky and drummer Evgeniy Labich, along with Russian indie animation team Self Burning, teamed up to make a stop motion animation film called “Piece” that represents the stages of making a collage.

To see more of Igor Skaletsky’s intriguing work, visit his profile (igorska) on Deviant Art.

Sources: Cut and Paste

PBS Offbook: Art in the Era of the Internet

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Another great video from PBS Offbook: Art in the Era of the Internet. “The Internet has intensfied connections between people across the planet. In this episode of OFF BOOK, we take a look at the impact of the this new interconnectivity on the art world. Traditional funding models are dissolving, new forms of expressing ownership have arisen to accomodate for remix culture, and artists are finding ways to connect physical art experiences and traditions to the Internet. In the digital era, the experience of art from the perspective of the artist and the art audience is shifting rapidly, and bringing more people into the creative process.”

Watch Off Book: Art in the Era of the Internet on PBS. See more from Off Book.

TateShots: Kusama’s Obliteration Room

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Yayoi-Kusama-Obliteration-RoomRecently showing at the Tate Modern, Yayoi Kusama’s interactive Obliteration Room began as an entirely white space, furnished as a monochrome living room, which people were then invited to ‘obliterate’ with multi-coloured stickers. After a few weeks the room was transformed from a blank canvas into an explosion of colour, with thousands of spots stuck over every available surface. It was conceived as a project for children, and was first staged at the Queensland Art Gallery in 2002.  Check out more videos from the Tate at Channel.Tate.org.uk.

Steampunk Art: PBS Arts Off Book

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Steampunk in the arts – Check out this interesting video from PBS Arts Off Book. “Steampunk art evokes an alternate reality where steam is the primary source of power. Technology, though highly advanced, has taken on a very different look and feel, and fashion is heavily influenced by Victorian styles.”

Featuring Joey Marsocci aka Dr Grymm, Third Rail Projects, Composer David Bruce, and the Ensemble ACJW.

Check out more art videos at PBS.org.

Watch Off Book: Steampunk on PBS. See more from Off Book.

Jason deCaires Taylor: Museo Subaquatico de Arte

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Inertia-Jason-deCaires-TaylorFascinating video from internationally acclaimed eco-sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. Creating underwater living sculptures, deCaires Taylor offers viewers “mysterious, ephemeral encounters and fleeting glimmers of another world where art develops from the effects of nature on the efforts of man. His site-specific, permanent installations are designed to act as artificial reefs, attracting corals, increasing marine biomass and aggregating fish species, while crucially diverting tourists away from fragile natural reefs and thus providing space for natural rejuvenation. Subject to the abstract metamorphosis of the underwater environment, his works symbolize a striking symbiosis between man and nature, balancing messages of hope and loss.”

“Taylor’s sculptures change over time with the effects of their environment. These factors create a living aspect to the works, which would be impossible to reproduce artificially. As time passes and the works develop biological growth, they redefine the underwater landscape, evolving within the narrative of nature.” (from artist website)

Discover more at UnderwaterSculpture.com.