I went to the MOMA and to Chelsea today. There is plenty I could talk about, but I think the most important and influential thing I saw was the Marcel Dzama film at David Zwirner. The costumes were fantastic, the film editing felt contemporary while at the same time using the “old” cinematic tricks rather than new age effects. And it showed me that it is possible to make art references that feel fresh. Not only did it focus on an expanded plot surrounding Marcel DuChamp’s work and life, it had (or at least I took notice of) a number of other art and film references. The animal heads and chairs reminded me of Goya, the multiple faced ceramic heads reminded me of that famous Daumier lithograph, and the dancing with the beheaded horse (or donkey?) reminded me of Chaplin’s dance with the globe. The costumes, and Dzama’s drawings, for me also reference the “Little Nemo” comics. I could be completely off mark, but these are connections I made while watching the film. The film was very visual, but also had a semblance of a plot (made all the more interesting by the dual screening with the swapped actress)- one that is just enough to give structure, but not so much that you’re sure you understand what is happening. It makes me inspired to try a number of things, among them- work with dancers, work with more live action film, make costumes, paper mache masks, storyboard plot lines, make more sculpture. I hope that I can get metal shop certified soon, I’m eager to get things rolling.

Today I built a wood box with a circular hole containing a lens (with much help from George). I think it pulls together the “She Plants a Head” animation, and I’m excited to put it in the next pop up show opening next week. I’ll also show it tomorrow for my crit with Catherine Murphy.

I met with Barb and got some advice similar to what Jim emailed me- that I should not be hesitant to address politics in a direct way if that is what needs to be the case. She also gave me a list of early films to watch and told me to watch the Netflix series on film history. She also gave me some advice on do it yourself residencies for printmaking. And on thinking things over and finding how I will reinvent what I’m doings, maybe taking drawings into a 3d stop motion set (some advice Patricia also gave).

I’m also trying to think over if it would be more appropriate to take a sculpture or a video class next semester.

The concept for my next project is based on Habits, the working title/ poetic phrase of inspiration is “Prescriptions for Losing a Loved Habit”. I would like to build a detailed set to work on. The project will also require me to create music- I would like to work in collaboration- possibly with my friend who sings opera, and another who plays cello. maybe drums and guitar as well. Not sure if the music should be made first, last, or with.

I’m also not sure how much of a script to come up with- if I should make the environment, then write a rough treatment, or it I should write it first, or if I should not write one at all. I think I will write one for this project though.

So the steps of this project-

write a loose treatment

Create stage/diorama, and furnsih

create characters

create music

revise treatment

animate

I also met with Ben Suga today, and we talked a little about using plaster, making molds, and using resin, rubbers, and plastics.

This Tuesday I will be going to the Moma and to Chelsea in my drawing class, hopefully we will make it to a good chunk of the shows that have been recommended to me.

This week (revised)

-crit with Catherine (show box animation), hand in resume, finish etching prints, write Art history Essay

-Work on Drawing written treatment, collecting objects, draw basic blue prints of set, set up pop up show

-meet with Basia to discuss animation

– go to new York MOMA and Chelsea

-watch some of the films recommended (The WildCat, film history netflix series,

list of artists & authors to remember to look into more (will continue to edit)-

kai althoff, john bock, trisha baga, raymond pettibon, Alexandre Alexeieff, Yuriy Norshteyn, Igor Kovalyov, Priit Parn, jim dine, lawrence jordan, Dorion Barill,Melissa Brown, Erin Dunn, Billy Grant, Haisi Hu, Amy Lockhart, James Mercer, Seth Scriver, Dash Shaw, Lale Westvind, Nouri Zander

authors-

robert walser, kleist, alfred jarry, Machado de Assis, Italo Svevo,