Conceptual Journey

 

It turns out I was always an artist.

 

I grew up in the sputnik era, the 1950’s.  I had innate abilities and they were maximized in Science, Music and Performance in the following ways.

•  In elementary school in was not able to draw objects well and I was not encouraged to be an “artist.”

•  I was encouraged to excel in the sciences and took AP (advanced placement) classes in Chemistry, Physics, Math, etc..

•  However, from an early age - 4th grade – I took music lessons through the school system and learned to play the 

    Saxophone (school bands, musical productions, eventually formed a Jazz Trio while in College)

•  I also performed in school plays and musicals and built sets, did lighting, sang in the chorus.

•  Taught photography to myself.

•  While at NYU (1966) I got involved with WNYU – the college radio station and became a disc jockey introducing

   underground rock music and musicians to NYU students.  My show began with The Velvet Underground’s song

   written and performed by Lou Reed “Walk on the Wild Side.”

•  Additionally, while in NYU I rebelled against being a Chemist and transferred to Boston University’s School of Public

    Communication (SPC) into their Broadcasting and Film Department.

•  I concentrated on Film as an Art Form.

•  After my 5 years of college – lost credits when transferring – it was a highly political time.  I opted out for a winter

   and went to Aspen with my brothers (we were all tempest tossed at the time) to figure out what I wanted to do.

•  I decided to become a lawyer and seek Justice one client at a time.

•  Went to Suffolk Law School in Boston.  Graduated in the prescribed time (3 years) – passed the Bar Exam the first

    time and became a practicing attorney on December 12, 1974.

•  I still practice law but only part time now, since I now create sculptures the rest of the time.  I still enjoy legal work

   and it does pay the bills, but I relish creating sculptures that people react to, interact with and that they can see and

   touch.

•  In the last year 2 years I have begun staging real estate that is for sale.  I view this work as the creation of a

   sculpture you walk into and through rather than around.

 

Artistic Philosophy

 

 I began creating ceramic “masks” about 7.5 years ago.  After mastering the basic techniques necessary, I embarked on the creation of a “body of work” based upon Dali’s famous melting clock.  Only I concentrated on seeing first “eyes” in a different manner, I call this body of work my “Dali Eyes Series.”  As that series progressed it morphed into seeing elements of a face in different ways.

 

After @ 2 years of sculpting in clay and integrating metals embedded in clay, I began using found materials and “icons” to create 3-dimensional abstract sculptures.   Spiritually I view this form of mixed media sculpture not as assemblage, but as Reincarnation Art.  I use objects that are discarded from their usual use and reincarnate these objects into a new and different use and purpose: to involve the viewer.

 

“Icons” work well in involving the viewer.  By using them I hint at a meaning and involve the viewer in this way.  My artwork attracts the viewer by the use of the specific “Icon” (the hint) and the viewer then finishes the piece by evoking his or her memories of their experiences with these specific icons.

 

       As key elements within my creation of sculptures to this day, I seek involvement by the viewer in my work.  I use colors, shapes, icons to evoke involvement through the viewer’s conscious or unconscious awakening to “seeing things in a new and different way.”

 

       As Camus once said “a man's work is nothing but this slow trek, to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened."