Assemblage

"Assemblage" is the 3-D version of "collage”. "Found object fragments," "discards," or "throwaways" (artist's work to look at: Schwitters, Cornell, Rauschenberg, Bearden, etc.).


These things are organized by their specific elements. The resulting groups are then arranged into compositions of art.


Extending to many cultures of people living in family, religious, work, and various other groups; We could be viewed as a complex living version of "assemblage”(Webster 1. a group of persons or things gathered or collected).


We have “found” each other by chance; either by blood, common goals, or a certain chemistry. These connections help to formulate new ideas, innovations, and even new generations. John Anderson

Friday, October 28, 2011

Geometric Form in My Art and Garden


Geometric designs play a strong roll in my jewelry and collage art. The triangle and tetrahedron are the architectural elements in my art and in our garden. This month I am building a hexagonal pyramid to cover and protect our fountain from the subzero winters. Our fountain is about four feet wide and five feet high. I hope you enjoy my photos of my angular musings in wood and our garden water feature. Yes, I still have to make the top section of my pyramid; in a few days.

Our winter view

Scale plans for hexagonal pyramid by John Anderson
Back yard fountain  

Treated plywood 43"h X 69"w.
Six panels each 11 1/4" top X 48"h X 36"base.
Hexagon angles are 120 degrees, connecting studs 60 degrees
by John Anderson







"Design for Retirement Home If I Want to Live Alone"
12" X 12" with chopstick like wood scraps by John Anderson

"Trellis for Clematis" approx. 4' X 6' by John Anderson 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

MY COLLAGE ART PART I

http://www.cs.washington.edu/building/art/WendellBrazeau/

I first learned the art of collage in a basic design class in 1972 taught by Wendell Brazeau at the University of Washington in Seattle. (click link below ) The most interesting project was a series of art post cards altered by cutouts from magazines.

Circle Collage                    (9in X 9in)                           1972
by John Anderson
The thread tying the composition together are found (not cut)
 round shapes in everything. 

                   Hand Painted Color Study             (8in X 8in)           1972                  
by John Anderson
Color tints (addition of black or white) shown horizontally;
color intensity(analogous colors) shown diagonally.
Note the illusion of the two diagonal cylinders angling
forward from the brighter more intense colors.

My first series of collages in 1982 were 17.5” X 24.5” Collage drawings on paper. I had first collected hundreds of images from magazines and organized them in folders by color, shape, patterns, nature, man made, animals, plants, transportation, etc.; anything I thought was interesting.

"An Impulse To Soar"     (20.7in X 27.7in)                      1982
by John Anderson                    w/paper rocket, female divers,
and a man carrying many objects on his back.
I then laid out 8 sheets of Arches drawing paper and selected a different color scheme for each; primary, secondary, tertiary, etc. With a foundation of watercolor washes and pencil framing; I marked the surface of empty space to brake the fear of destroying the expensive paper. Cutouts from the categories were laid down on each and played with for much time.

I had no idea how they were going to be resolved to completion; but I did think about figure/ground relationships, interior and/or atmospheric space, and landscapes. The cutouts suggested which direction to go; and when I examined all eight together, it was clear which images went with which paper. Each page was a new category of images.

"THEN AND NOW-WOR"                 1982
(20.7in X27.7in)            by John Anderson
and a child dreaming about the circus.

In conclusion, after the compositions were set, I found appropriate titles from the “Quotable Quotes” section in “Reader’s Digest” Magazine. They all had touches of humor, philosophy, and mystery.

"Creatures of Habit"                          1982
(20.7in X 27.7in)         by John Anderson
w/ Fortune Cookie Quote: "We are all responsible…
we must stop looking for scapegoats."
And Cartoon "You are here…but no one else is"
I always think of collage art as fun. Collection, cutting and pasting paper is easy. However, creating a pleasing composition that works well visually, and holds the viewer’s interest with a compelling idea or theme is a tremendous challenge. Making images cut from different articles fit together with continuity and flow is paramount to a successful collage. JA            


"Begin Now"             (20.7in X 27.7in)                     1982
by John Anderson
With Fortune Cookie Quote: "In order to satisfy another,
you must first strive to satisfy yourself - begin now."
Included are images of depicting phone calls from mother,
and baked goods from my mother-in law.
               More about my professor Wendell Brazeau and the Seders Gallery photos of his work.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Scott Ziegler Ceramic Artist and teacher

http://www.scottzieglerceramics.com



Scott Ziegler Ceramic Artist/Instructor at the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana
I would like to introduce Scott Ziegler. I am well acquainted with Scott; we taught together for 8 years and remain good friends. He is a committed family man, a driven artist, and a successful teacher. 
His ceramic sculptures are carefully hand carved with pain staking, dimensional detail, intricately painted imagery, and a combination of realism with animated characteristics. His figures are innovative inventions directly from his own thoughts and expressive of his own experience.
On his website he gives a statement about his work: 
“Through my art, I provide an introspective look into my past... As a child in a dysfunctional family, rooted in alcohol addiction, I experienced years of... abuse...”” I have to explore [my] past to break free from its constraints.”” Each piece is symbolic of the truth I discover and the healing it provides.”
Many of us have had some level of experience with difficulties throughout our lives by people we have loved or admired. It is especially difficult when they are in a position of power or control over us while young, vulnerable, and impressionable.
One of the biggest problems in our schools involve “bullying”. Scott’s statement points out what students may be suffering at home with adults or siblings; and at school with their peers. Scott has created his own remedy through his art; others have not been so fortunate.
Scott has demonstrated “risk-taking” in revealing a deeply personal issue in his life as an effort to help himself and others. There is no one panacea to any problem of this magnitude, but a multitude of right minded people performing small, significant gestures of good will in the aid of others. JA