Artist Initiative

Along with the main two proposed events, “graffiti angel” and “holy fool” and their web galleries, I created a number of installations that explored material used in both of the final premiers. These included: A) a short film called “firebird / last dream” in collaboration with experimental vocalist / McKnight Composer Fellow Viv Corringham that was chosen for the Duluth Superior Film Festival (June 1, 2012) and the Flyway Film Festival (October 2012). B) The crucible triptych: “iowa 1,” “iowa 2,” and “I remember death, honey for keith haring,” which appeared at the Prøve Gallery in Duluth (August 10-24, 2012). C) The stillness triptych: “white stone / blue sky,” “graffiti angel / still bridge,” and “watches 4 sale: we were ribcages w/o watches” released online. D) various iterations using the infinite film generator that was created for the “graffiti angel” (these were called: “graffiti angel / blue,” “graffiti angel / birdland,” and “graffiti angel / night rain). E) an installation version of the cinematic work called “graffiti angel / infinity part 1” that was shown at the Ochre Ghost Gallery in Duluth (September 9-21, 2012). To evaluate the success of these achievements, at each performance, installation opening and film showing, I made time to talk with audience members. Many of these discussions continued online. People in my community are generous with their feedback and I found these one-on-one conversations to be deeply informative. I made a point of working with other artists that I respect; I was inspired and educated by their creative process. I worked with different local arts venues and benefited by their kind mentorship as I shaped the work to successfully show in their spaces. I conducted informal “show-and-tell” discussions with other artists to gather feedback for specific pieces. 2: I met with a Springboard for the Arts consultant and attended the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture annual conference in Minneapolis. I studied how dancers, visual artists and writers work with time and space. I took a field trip to New York during the Whitney Biennial and the New Museum Triennial and looked at these exhibits and others about town. The Stephen Petronio Company was at the Joyce Theater. I went to one of their performances and was quite moved by the union of sound, movement and abstract narrative. Choreography influenced my still-motion work. While not directly funded by this grant, I pursued these opportunities to enhance my work on my Minnesota State Arts Board project."