Art Without Art Spaces

A hard part about being an artist is finding the right space to do so in. Rehearsal space, space for making things, space for thinking about making things… all these things are needed but space is limited and to have space you have to have $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Artists have to become increasingly creative in the ways that they find space to make things in. This is why Site-specific art work makes more and more sense. Not only does it bring itself directly into the public sphere, not contained in a traditional art space, but it also saves big coins in the wallet, if you know what I mean. As space is limited, I feel pushed to search for a new means of creating artwork that does, indeed, fit outside the box.

Image Sources: http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/santorini/ (Galleries and Wineries in Santorini), http://web.ncf.ca/ek867/2009_03_01-15_archives.html (Prague Warehouse), http://www.today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/challenging-the-concepts-of-art-96002.aspx (Robert Smithson’s “Spiral Jetty” in the Great Salt Lake), http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2007/apr/26/sitespecificworkneedsmoret (The National Theatre of Scotland and Grid Iron’s production of Roam, performed at Edinburgh airport.)

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Being one with nature calms my artistically frizzled self

Today I spent a day in nature. It was nice. It was beautiful. It was relaxing. It was definitely needed. I must spend more time in nature. That’s a pact.

I do spend time in nature, only it’s always at the same park a ten minute walk from my house that has two short trails, swingsets, gardens and a few picnic tables with barbecues. Not that that is bad. I LOVE that park. But, today I went beyond my usual park routine and drove a half an hour to a genuine (and large) Michigan recreation park to go on a hike and swim in the lake. It was amazing. I needed it.

I feel like if I spent more time in ‘real’ nature, I might be a less frizzled artist type who thinks and tries to do too many things at once, stresses out (that’s the grad student type), and is generally not enough of a genuine spiritually relaxed yogi one-with-nature type. BUT- when I’m in nature, I feel great. I get it. I enjoy. I take things slow. I look at the trees and butterflies. I breathe deeper. I have new fresh ideas that aren’t rushed or overly stressified. I feel good.

Upon my return home, I went back to the internet, back in front of my computer, to search for spiritual nature videos on youtube. Perhaps if I’m not actually in nature in the flesh and bone, I can channel the spiritual relaxed nature energy right here on my electronic device. And sure thing, there are plenty of nature videos on youtube!! I have chosen a select few to share with you today on my wonderful Art Smoothie blog. Please enjoy them, and be one with nature too. That is, if you’re not already out there in the flesh and bone.