art tends to distort the truth

At least, that is according to Matthew Nowicki, a twentieth century architect that was a colleague of Eero Saarinen. Like Saarinen, Nowicki died young in 1960. here is a quote that i just read from one of my library sale finds in the Eero Saarinen architecture book:

"Art tends not only to discover the truth but to exaggerate and finally distort it. And, maybe in this distortion lies the essence of art."

deep, contemplative stuff indeed. here are a couple of images of his most famous architectural piece, a pavilion at the state fairgrounds in Raliegh, NC...

modern sculpture - defined by auguste rodin!

so, i went to a library sale last month, and i am still digging through the pile of cool art, architecture and scifi books i picked up. i blogged earlier about some of the architecture, and now i am reading though book "Modern Sculpture" by Jean Selz, published in 1963 by George Braziller.

i am motivated most recently toward sculptures with my slobots, and i am thoroughly inspired by the idea of abstract and modern scuplture. so, far this is a really engaging book tracing the movement into modern sculpture. i just read a chapter about the changes that Rodin brought into the art world. he was accused by some critics of his time of not being able to "finish a sculpture". in response, Rodin wrote these words:

"I am reproached for not finishing my sculptures and for presenting the public with sketches. The essential modeling is done, I consider it unnecessary to linger over the polishing of toes and curls; those details do not interest me."

i am fascinated by this quote. While he was clearly capable of making the most realistic of sculptures, Rodin was one of the first sculptors to move past the idea of realism as the only acceptable means of producing art, and reached into the notion that art can be based on feeling and movement alone. Just think, without Rodin, there would be no "thinker" (pun intended), but also he is a bridge into modern sculpture, including my ability to sculpt slobots... this book is a great read, and here's some more Rodin imagery, including "the Thinker"...

slobot robotic philosophers?

Hey All!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have a show opening tonight (june 12, 2009) in Wilmington, NC at the Local Gallery at Fast Frame of Wilmington (http://fastframeofwilmington.com). The opening is from 5p-7:30pm and the show runs for a month. I have about a dozen slobots in the show, including these brand new slobot Philosophers. They are 100% slobot, found objects, etc and each stands about 20” tall. They form a Triptych, and their story goes like this:

“Three Philosophers standing in a room, waxing philosophical on ethics, aesthetics, and various other thought provoking topics. These three philosophers love to discuss the ins and outs of the most complex and innane subjects equally. While lacking vocal instruments, they still manage to share their ideas both grand and verbose, by communicating telepathically with each other and everyone else as well. If you find yourself suddenly full of more thoughts than you can keep track of, there is probably a slobot Philosopher in the room."

Contrary to popular belief, not all robots are bent on global domination, the slobots are friendly and just want to help.

slobots in the new issue of gizmag!

this was a fun interview. everyone answered the questions by hand, so there are lots of doodles and scribbles and colors.

here's the download link: http://gizmag.eu/view/pdfmag5/

included in this issue: 64 colors - Katrin Kirojood - Michael Maitland - Titi + The German Kid - Akina - Meeshle - and, of course, the slobots.

hey! hey! RECLAIM 2 FAME found object robots!

everyone knows i love robot art! these really cool, inventive, and, dare i say, whimsical sculptures by Florida-based artist Will W aka RECLAIM2FAME are both cool and affordable... you should buy 2!

RECLAIM2FAME

walter gropius, eric mendelsohn, a SELDON CRISIS and the BAUHAUS

"The Bauhaus believes the machine to be our modern medium of design and seeks to come to terms with it."
Masters of World Architecture: Walter Gropius

i went to a library sale a few weeks ago, and have been poring through a modest pile of great vintage books. i got an incredible copy of the Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov (ach! is the current state of the world economy some sort of Seldon Crisis?), 3 great architecture books about Eric Mendelsohn, Walter Gropius, and Eero Saarinen (haven't started this one yet!) and a pile of others yet to be explored...



Hey! are those slobots next to 1930's German architecture! i KNEW it!
FYI, you can get a print of this image in my etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25500472

grandpa's robots are radio controlled retro goodness.

Found these extra cool robots created by a former aerospace Industry Design Engineer that creates super detailed REMOTE CONTROLLED collectible robots. browse the pics and please take a look at his site as well! http://www.grandpasrobots.com

the cool school has something to say.

just watched this great documentary on the rise of modern art in LA during the 50s. it follows the development of the Ferus gallery, its related artists and the first gallery show of Warhol's soup cans in LA. its a fascinating look into the art world. you can get the DVD via netflix...

rik allen and his great glass rocketships.

i found Rik's work somewhere on the internet that escapes me at the moment. at any rate, this is wonderful work. the blown glass shapes that serve as the canopies of space ships and internal parts of these ships are really amazing. In Rik's own words - "The futuristic antiquity of this series was inspired by my life-long fascination with the design of technology – especially the purposefully “futuristic” technology of the mid-20th Century."

edit: i realized that the place of origin that i found out about Rik's art is: electroartworks.com

See more for yourself at: Rik Allen

Mars-1, trippy, psychedelic goodness

i am feeling inspired by the post over at toysrevil about the upcoming Mars-1 show "Nuclear Mystic" at Johnathan Levine in NYC - i decided to browse through some of my favorite works of Mars' from the past... so without ado...