COMMUNICATION WITH MY STUDIO ADVISOR LINDA MONTANO
Linda & I have agreed to approach our communication as being about "Life"
ME - sent these links to Linda to review: (Sept 11 - 13)
#0: Ground Zero
#1: Sand
http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-1-sand.html#2: Wheat
http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-2-wheat.htm
#3: Apples
http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-3-apples.html
LINDA - in response to my first set of links: (Sept 14)
1, cut hair: there is a feel abt ur work tha is "showing' inclucding ur past training and yet u have "stripped" it now of the complkexities and the frivolous glitter... cutting back, editing to bard essestials...ur people there seemed very appreciative and included themselves and makd esounds.. what was the work word u had them say??? I wondered abt the 'WORD" did u need a word/ or any word? or a choicsen word?
am seeing these as an installation with all 4 of them
2. sand: I had trouble with the back sounds (kids) and the images...the trasgeressiveness of ur being erotic o n beach and hearing kids playing sounds was not very assuring for me
was it abt that>>????had adisturbing quality just like the wheat one did also....when the camera person said oh oh theres somebody comiugn and he going to be pisssed off...I think u have something here abt mixing the forbidden and the not forbidden
keepo it>??????????????????///or clean it up an dhave goody two shoes????
good girl or bad girl
ur choice
3. ohotos of wheayt just that beaautifullllllllllllllll photos..no edge but hey that's fine 2. question is do u wanb t an edge and be bad or safe and be good?
4. wheat: beautiful movement, but then again the idea of oooppppppppppppssssssssssssss
s this is destrouying the wheat and no more food and etc. idea of wearing things made it less (:"messy" and less menstral and ;less sweaty and less ruining things but I also wonderhow u feel being in a place that si verboten
linda mary montano sept 14.
LINDA - in response to TEXT being sent again separately: (Sept 18)
THANKS FOR INCLUDING THIS TEXT
I THINK THAT IS U
INCLUDED THEM AS POEMS OVER/INSIDE/IN THE VIDEOS IT WD BE P BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
EITHER AS SPOKEN ORRRRRRRRRRRRRR WRITTEN WORDS
FABULOUS
ME - in response to Linda's comments: (Sept 19)
LINDA ..... SOME LONG-WINDED RAMBLING THOUGHTS IN RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENTS & ABOUT WHERE I'M COMING FROM WITH THIS WORK IN GENERAL ......
I THINK THAT IS U
INCLUDED THEM AS POEMS OVER/INSIDE/IN THE VIDEOS IT WD BE P BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
EITHER AS SPOKEN ORRRRRRRRRRRRRR WRITTEN WORDS
FABULOUS
ME - in response to Linda's comments: (Sept 19)
LINDA ..... SOME LONG-WINDED RAMBLING THOUGHTS IN RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENTS & ABOUT WHERE I'M COMING FROM WITH THIS WORK IN GENERAL ......
Current Practice – Philosophical Stance (very rough notes)
My approach:
holistic, essential, integral, non-manipulative (not geared
towards audience “affect”) metamorphic.
I work in response/relationship with material/medium/subject
as collaborator – even “author”.
In this current practice, the terms material/medium/subject
are conceptually interchangeable on the most part.
The material/medium/subject “dictates” the piece – it is
asking me to do something quite specific in response to it.
- It is not about “Me” – needing to “express” or “show”
something (self-indulgence)
- It is not about trying to have a specific “affect” on an
audience (manipulation)
- It is purely a response with as much integrity as possible
towards the material/medium/subject & what it is “asking” me to do.
… I understand that some consider this as a form of “naïve
essentialism”.
I need to find a lens (or lenses) through which to view this
method of working in order to articulate & present my approach clearly
& favorably.
I’m afraid that most forms of post-modern, deconstructive,
critical theories could be quite unkind to it. I need to find some sympathetic
lenses with which to view it.
……………. So far in the “Raw Material” series, I have been
responding to material/medium/subject in the realm of nature … specifically in
the temporal aspects of harvest – what is growing now? – what is ripe &
ready now?
There is an urgency to respond “now” – as the fruits are
ready & cannot wait.
……….. I have no intention to be deliberately “Transgressive”…
I will be taken by a creative idea & it begins to take
hold of my imagination – not only aesthetically, but in very practical terms –
in my mind I begin plotting out all the details of how it can become a reality
– it’s a very logical & practical thought process.
I will continue to pursue a creative goal until it has been
accomplished – or until some insurmountable obstacle stands in the way.
Sometimes this pursuit may lead to “trespassing” or
“strange” public behavior or some such “abnormality” – but those rules are for
the general order of society & I usually adhere to them under regular
pedestrian conditions – however, when in pursuit of achieving a creative goal
then they have no application just for the sake that they are “rules”…
So, in this context, I may “transgress” something as a
by-product of my creative pursuit – but I am not ever TRYING to be
“Transgressive” – EVER.
……. I don’t consider my self as really TRYING to “BE”
ANYTHING, actually.
& I am never really trying to have a specific AFFECT
“ON” anyone either.
… if I decide to deliberately use theatrical tools in order
to affect an audience in a specific way – or to come across as “being”
something in particular, then I would approach the work in a very different
way.
- It would be more contrived … devious? … manipulative?
So ….. for example …… in the Raw Material video sketch
“Sand” – I am not “trying” to be “erotic”.
I approach the piece with total integrity towards the
material/medium/subject – which is sand on the beach in the warmth of the sun.
Of course my response to this is a full-bodied, blissful,
sensual absorption of the energy of the most powerful body in our solar-system
(the sun) & the warmth & texture of the sand, which has also absorbed
the power & energy of the sun.
- Of course there is a natural eroticism to a nude,
mid-aged, healthy adult body in this state of being (male or female – although
there is more historic erotic baggage associated with the female form that I personally
focus on transcending)
- If it were a child, or an elderly person – or someone
obese or disabled … how would this same sensual response to the same elements
affect a viewer?
The “eroticism” is one thread in the holistic tapestry of
humanity … not to be singled out in a one-dimensional analysis of the whole
picture.
…….. For the “Raw Material” series, I have decided to keep
my own body as “neutral” or natural in appearance as possible – with variations
of “costume” depending on what seems to be appropriate for the specific
relationship with each material/medium/subject.
So the colour is always flesh-tones that are somewhat
similar to my own.
Sometimes it will be total nudity – if full skin is the most
appropriate connection/response to material/medium/subject.
Sometimes it will be a “second skin” layer – if flesh needs
to become muted in order to blend with material/medium/subject.
Sometimes it will be a texture of clothing that relates to
material/medium/subject
- or, in some cases, a more “pedestrian” style of dress –
but still in neutral tones.
There are some sketches in which THE BODY itself – or AN
ACTION of the body will become material/medium/subject.
Here, it is about Self in relationship/response to one’s own
body – or the body’s relationship/response to an action ……… rather than the
SELF/BODY in relationship/response to “other”.
…… In the same way as I never deliberately set out or intent
to be “Transgressive” (or erotic – or anything else) – I also never set out
deliberately to be “edgy”.
If my material/medium/subject provokes or demands a response
that creates an “edge” – then my response will automatically produce one
without my having to “make” one (or even think of making one)
… & if there is no “edge” emerging, then why would I
invent one just for the sake of “effect”?
(Again – I might decide to us this contrived &
manipulative tool theatrically to have an affect on an audience in a totally
different context than this current project)
…. As for being a “good girl” or a “bad girl” – I would like
to leave this way of thinking in the dark ages!
(However – I’m happy to own the term “Utopian Girl”!)
……………………
If a certain response seems totally integral to the
material/medium/subject, it is just essential to do it.
…….
I think perhaps that you (Linda) may be looking for how my
spiritual beliefs & practices manifest in the work – but I don’t think it
has anything to do with terms of “transgression” in any way
…… it is more to do with “Transformation” &
“Transcendence” – metamorphosis.
It is the “voluptuous surrender” of body & soul to the
Universe ……….. to Creation – Creator – Spirit ……..
LINDA - in response to my last message: (Sept 19)
LINDA - in response to my last message: (Sept 19)
1.WHEN I HEAR CHILDRENS VOICE ON THE VIDEO AND SEE U being
nude/erotic on the beach that they are on, that is transgressive and
aggressive
2.when I see u fall into fragile wheat and crush it and then hear u having to leave because u r trespassing, both of those actions are transgressive and aggressive
3.when I see u drop apples into a box and bruise them instead of placing them gentle
that is transgressive and aggressive
I am telling it as I c it and this is what I meant by transgressive and aggressive and passive aggressive but it is happening without YOUR knowing it.
I think u need to deal with ANGER...BECAUSE IT IS SHOWING UP and u don't even know it is!
all is well, and all is fine
Later
2.when I see u fall into fragile wheat and crush it and then hear u having to leave because u r trespassing, both of those actions are transgressive and aggressive
3.when I see u drop apples into a box and bruise them instead of placing them gentle
that is transgressive and aggressive
I am telling it as I c it and this is what I meant by transgressive and aggressive and passive aggressive but it is happening without YOUR knowing it.
I think u need to deal with ANGER...BECAUSE IT IS SHOWING UP and u don't even know it is!
all is well, and all is fine
Later
ME - in response to Linda's last message: (Sept 23)
Dear Linda ........ you are right that there are indeed things I am feeling very angry about - I am currently dealing with a break-up that has left me very angry about a lot of things.
LINDA - in response: (Sept 23)
thks so much for sharing
yes deal with it
then show me
what u do/c
thks
yes deal with it
then show me
what u do/c
thks
ME - sending Linda more links to review: (Oct 4)
Dear Linda,
Recent Images
thanx
LINDA - in response to recent images: (Oct 4)
CLAIRE
WHAT?
R U A WINE MAKER?
AS WELL AS ARTIST?
WHAT?
OF COURSE U TAKE WONDERFUL PHOTOS AND THE PHOTOS SEEM TO CENTER U IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
TELL ME IN 3 SENTENCES WHO U R NOW\\
NOT ANY MORE THAN 3
THANKS FRO SHARING UR BEAUTIFUL NATURE LOVE
WINE MUST BE DELICIOUS
ME - in response to Linda's question: (Oct 8)
3 SENTENCES- What I am NOW:
I am nothing of importance & must rely on connecting with powerful things for significance (like nature)
I am scattered as I feel many facets of this work multiplying exponentially
I am pressured with so little time ..... for this MFA project ..... to produce something in the world .... for life
3 SENTENCES- What I am NOW:
I am nothing of importance & must rely on connecting with powerful things for significance (like nature)
I am scattered as I feel many facets of this work multiplying exponentially
I am pressured with so little time ..... for this MFA project ..... to produce something in the world .... for life
LINDA - in response to my 3 sentences: (Oct 8)
I am nothing of importance & must rely on connecting with powerful things for significance (like nature)...WE ARE EVERYTHING AND NEED TO FIND HOW TO CONTACT THAT
I am scattered as I feel many facets of this work multiplying exponentially......WE ARE ABLE TO HANDLE ALL ASPECTS OF THE SELF
I
am pressured with so little time ..... for this MFA project ..... to
produce something in the world .... for life...TIME IS SPACE
................................
