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

Sunday, January 8, 2012

#5 “The arts make vivid the fact that words...nor numbers exhaust what we can know." Elliot Eisner


#5 “The arts make vivid the fact that neither words in their literal form nor numbers exhaust what we can know. The limits of our language do not define the limits of our cognition.” Elliot Eisner
What this means to me?

Art is another language; another way to understand our world. 

What does an object’s form, shape, color, and texture reveal when words and numbers are not available to us? Ask an archeologist. 
“Archeology is considered a science and a humanity. It draws upon anthropology, art history, linguistics, and geology to name a few among many other disciplines. It’s purpose is to learn more about past societies and the development of the human race. Over 99% of the history of humanity has occurred within prehistoric cultures, who did not make use of writing. For many literate cultures, written records cannot be trusted as a sole source. Material records may be closer to a fair representation of the larger population.” (Wikipedia)
The distinct art object is fixed into existence for others to observe. The artist often takes something mundane, missed or rejected by others and raises it’s value to a larger purpose. The main objective for the artist is to be innovative and creative, making a one of a kind statement, and to be true to herself or himself.
Acting, dance, music, painting, photography, and sculpture, extend the “limits of our cognition” by providing a clearly perceptible and intense experience. Bright colors and animated forms provide a striking reality for the senses. The power of life with all it’s spirited ups and downs is expressed in art with lively presentation. Students learn about themselves in the arts. The arts teach the ability to think critically; to solve problems; and to synthesize long term goals into daily activity. JA

Monday, January 2, 2012

Alex Mandli: Ceramic Artist and Teacher



I would like to introduce Alex Mandli. I am well acquainted with Alex.  I was a student teacher, teaching art with him as one of my mentors in 1976. We remain good friends today. He is a committed family man, a driven artist, and a successful art teacher.
I own many of his pieces from early work to the present, in different styles throughout his career; including vases, covered urns, coffee mugs, sculptures, and large plates. His works for the last thirty years are carefully hand crafted vessels in elegant, simple forms. These are perfectly hand burnished surfaces which provide the ground for his delicate, rich, innovative designs from nature. His images transform the usual look of ceramic into polished stone. 
I would like to point out that Alex is a retired public high school art teacher. He is a “Master Teacher” and an expert professional ceramic artist. He cares as much for his students as he does for his art; which gives him the ability to inspire countless youths to become much more than they ever thought they could. JA

"Since I began working in clay, my goal has been to make beautiful vessel forms and adorn those forms with surface decoration. Many times that decoration follows a theme or series. My current work involves the very basics of making pots, namely, the use of clay, water and fire.
For years, I’ve studied and enjoyed the pots of many ancient cultures. Through this study, I became interested in their firing techniques, specifically their firing of work in a pit. I became attracted to the random action of fire on clay, or what has been termed “the gift of the flame.” The excitement of this firing technique is the pleasant or sometimes unpleasant surprise discovered once the pit fire has cooled. Once the fire is cool, all that remains is the random marks made by the fire and ash."