Descending Ashtray

Okay, that’s a lot longer story than I’ll write tonight, but maybe it would be more accurate to say “Why 5×5 instead of 1×1, 2×2 … 12×12?”

This mp3 file contains the answer. It’s about 17 minutes long (21MB), originally from a tape, so apologies for the recording quality.

In a printmaking class at the University of Iowa, I conducted a focus group using my classmates as test subjects. I had just started work at an ad agency in Des Moines, and the techniques of advertising made a big impression. It seemed so much more … scientific than I’d thought, and in retrospect, maybe the idea that creativity could be governed by that level of research seemed a little sinister, both to me, and for the audience. I digress.

There were about 12 people in the class, including the head of the printmaking department, and a TA that I really liked, but whose name I can’t remember. And then a bunch of really talented classmates, whose names I also can’t remember. Although one of them dates my former roomate’s friend Josh and they live together in San Fran.

I prepared stamped cards with one each of my 1×1 through 12×12 motifs, and asked participants to choose one they liked, and then talk about why/why not. Just listen.

Questions?

… once asked me if I ever thought about how much easier my life might be if I had gone with a 3×3, a 4×4 … anything less than 25 squares. Sometimes I think of it and chuckle when I’m midway through something. There is something really … zen? or meditative, I guess, about doing the same thing 25 times in a row, or 125 times, or whatever it is. But yes, I’d probably be closer to done right now. I drew all the stars by hand.

This is a work-in-progess, a gouache of a 5×5 with a US Air Force theme, circa 1942. There will be white stars in blue circles, with a blue circle contained within the stars. Just like this one.

Heard from Seth lately? I used to talk to him on the phone every once in awhile and last I heard he was stationed in San Diego.

We recently had a dinner party down at the studio. Having dinner with friends is a good thing.

The group; Josh, Haley, Megan & Brandy

Megan & Brandy

Scott Drawing

Crazyman

I am a sucker for timelapse movies and thought this was really nice. The music is good, too.

I am feeling better today.

I have been under the weather this past weekend. It is a drag being sick but I did watch some good movies.

Broken Flowers - This is the latest film by Jim Jarmusch ( Deadman, Coffee and Cigarettes). A little slow but an interesting look into how uncertainty of the past mixed with curiosity can be all consuming. Amazingly odd that he used on the soundtrack, the obscure ethiopian jazz music that I have been listening to for years.

The Machinist - Christian Bale went through an unbelievable physical transformation for this film. He went from being buff in American Physcho to having zero muscle mass in this movie and then regained it all for his role in Batman. I could see a Dosteovsky influence, about how guilt and solitude can be more painful after committing a serious crime than the punishment that the law provides.

Undertow - What can I say, David Gordon Green(All the real girls) is probably my favorite young director. With similarities to my own interests such as Will Oldham, Walkabout and Philip Glass it was inspiring to watch this movie. Being able to see the beauty that he sees in human nature and in the rough edges of things made this an extra ordinary film.

This lime-wood sculpture reminded me of that head you carved in college, Gabe. Only with knives sticking out of it.

In other knife-related news, my adze and crooked knives arrived yesterday. I’d had a few drinks before I got home, so I haven’t tried them out yet. Tonight’s the night, though!