Episode 23, in which we explore the properties of copper.
This was our last class day before our exhibit, so we were choosing which of our finished pieces to show.
But Joe Willie couldn't resist giving another materials lesson when he saw Emily attaching copper wire to her work. Watch Emily experiment with coloring copper by heating it with a propane torch.
Episode 11, in which destruction contains the seeds of creation.
There's this spot about 30 minutes north of Phoenix that gives access to one of the man-made lakes Arizona uses in an attempt to store water. It's the kind of place my dad used to take us when I was a kid, to camp and fish and enjoy the outdoors. The rule was, always leave the area in better condition than you found it. We used to pack out any trash we saw as well as any that we made.
So I was shocked to see how people abuse the site today. People take everything from coffee cans to coffee tables out into the desert and blow it away with all manner of guns. Then they just leave it there, along with their expended bullets and empty cartridges and shell boxes. The area is a big dry wash, and when it rains, all the water flows into the lake, carrying in every bit of toxic waste left behind.
So the place is a mass of contradiction. The beauty of the Sonoran desert astounds me, and the debris deluge turns my stomach.
You know what an artist has to do with this wealth of material.
Create.
We went out and foraged, then had a picnic near the lake, and Joe Willie Smith and I collaborated on a twig sculpture, which will probably be shot to kindling over the weekend. But you can see it here.
May 20, 2007, Update:
This video has been selected to screen at Pixelodeon!
Episode 10, in which Cheryl tells Joe Willie Smith to spin it and run.
I swear, I love how much I get to play in this class, and that my teacher is free to play, too. Spending my semester this way is one of my better decisions.
Have a look at what my fellow students worked on today:
I did more sandblasting today. Specifically, I blasted some ugly green paint off of a wood frame purchased for under $1 at the As Is Yard. The sandblasting revealed the grain of the wood nicely. Joe Willie also sliced a piece of oak for me, and it's gorgeous.
Unfortunately, while I'm doing my own work I forget to yank out the video camera. I'll try to do better next week and show you how my own work is coming along.
Episode 7, in which we threaten national security.
For today's class we walked a couple of miles along the Santa Fe Railroad tracks, foraging for metal, glass, interesting rocks and wood. It's not shown in the video, but Joe Willie found an amazing 18 inch piece of beautifully weathered oak, and let me tell you, it was heavy. He's going to give me a slice of it for one of my projects. As you watch, keep an eye out for our impromptu xylophone. We left it out by the tracks for any wandering musicians that might happen by.
Episode 6, in which we work in the studio with what we've found so far.
Richard works out his opinions on weighing in. Joe Willie helps out with ideas for transforming objects. Dale creates a beautiful lady out of fabric and natural materials. Esmerelda begins designing an altar. And I'm working with a cigar box, egg shells and an old doll's head, though I spent most of the time removing seeds from their pods.
Music: El Coradobes by Gringo Motel, from podsafeaudio.com.
Episode 3.5, in which we learn about exploiting materials. Shrink wrap, in this case.
This is an excerpt from January 23, when we visited Joe Willie Smith's home studio. He's taking the opportunity to give us a mini-lecture on why it's good to know the origin, uses and properties of the materials we find.
Episode 3, in which Cheryl is enchanted by a doorbell.
For our second class meeting, we went to the local As-Is Yard, otherwise known as the Goodwill Clearance Outlet at 17th and Villa Streets. Joe Willie advised me not to use my camera inside so there's not much footage from there, but you'll get to see what we found there in a future episode.
After a quick lunch at the Ranch Market, we got a tour of Joe Willie's home and studio. The wonderful chaos that you see in the video is a drop in the bucket.
Music: Lil' Rooster by Gringo Motel, from podsafeaudio.com.
