progress report

Ladies and Gentleman,
you are cordially invited to Progress Report: a visual accumulation of the byproduct of creative process in the architecture studio environment.

The waste/recyclable paper from the students and faculty at Taliesin: the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is the media for this on-site installation in Hillside studio at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. This image reveals a bit of the structure. Ripped or cut strips of the paper (fragmenting imagery and text) are tapestry woven on a vertically stretched warp on the wall of the studio. The combined imagery and text from the students and faculty represent the collaborative, invisible energy of creative effort as though that energy, with myself as catalyst, attaches to the wall as visible residue. Through twisting, folding, and otherwise manipulating the paper, I hope for it to seem as though it is a growing form, similar to mold or lichen, expanding from day to day of work weaving through the wire warp. This is truly a reflection upon my own experiences working in large studios with other artists and my time spent in the Hillside studio amongst architects and architecture students at work. The energy of production and creativity, the collaboration and influence of ideas, and the product itself are only together for a brief time in the studio environment. This project seeks to capture a product of these elements together.

new york new

We took a bite from the big apple - Christian and I. Happy Birthday Christian!


We did some research, and we decided that yes, in New York City there is a lot of art in one place. Great shows of note: Olafur Eliasson at MOMA, PS1 and next week, new waterfall installations around the city; Jewish Museum's large collection of Modern American Artists includes some of our favorites: Barnett Newman, Clyfford Still, Mark Rothko, Frank Stella, etc; dinner at Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar (East Village); Karrie Hovey's group show: we arrived soaking wet from running in the rain to get there; New Museum of Art (best from the outside - Hell Yes!); and really, my mind isn't sharp enough to keep listing what there was to enjoy. My list doesn't include the architecture of great note that we hiked around to see while there.

We went to many Museums (Googy restoration):


We looked at art (Christian Rothkophile Butler):


We ate delicious food (our spread at the Chelsea market):


We drank some Colombe Cafe serious espresso:


I could write more, but seriously, I think we can all understand the immensity of that idea. I'm somewhat overworked right now, but all self imposed: Project #1: Onsite Installation at Taliesin July 13 - 19 entitled Progress Report. Project #2: Performance Art - walk through Madison August 16, 11a - 3p entitled Flags. More information to come soon here and at holsumation.com.

on the shelf

As of today
this coffee
blend is on
your coolest
grocery store's
shelves. Props
to Just Coffee
for making
sure the blend
of coffees was
perfect for the
summer. I did
this label
design last
month. Get your
collector's
edition today!!

kick start

This morning I returned to Madison from Spring Green, WI (where my partner Christian is currently living and working on his architecture degree) by bicycle. Different from the normal car trip on Rt. 14 (see approximate route at google pedometer map here), this method of travel took me on winding side routes and through quiet pastoral landscape. I was moving at about 15 - 20 mph most of the way and not inside a vehicle, so my perception of my surroundings was more tactile and sustainable. The views of old farms, especially the beautiful barns of this countryside and my correlating pace with flying, bounding American Goldfinches along the roadside were some of the many enjoyments of my ride. This could be just to save on gas money, but certainly it is more in depth and aesthetic an experience than that. I am grateful to have this summer ahead of more commutes from Christian's home to mine.