six color offset

organization: draft

2011-12-05T22:55:00.000-08:00

16 images

plan: draft

2011-12-05T20:44:00.001-08:00

11 images

forum of federations: draft

2011-12-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

tables:
ping pong
dinner
display case
coffee

books:
circles
3-d
travel
fake

posters:
artists
fake events
fake projects

postcards:
hotels
dinning rooms
travel

architecture:
shingles
corporate modern
baroque

notes:
text
scraps
sketches

---------------------
light box
pillow
zine: bibliography
federals

stairs

2011-11-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

UPCOMING

2011-11-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

Expanded Field

Curated by Jackie Im and Aaron Harbour

December 2, 2011 – January 8, 2012

Reception Friday, December 2^nd, 7-10 pm

MacArthur B Arthur is pleased to announce Expanded Field, a group show featuring new work by Torreya Cummings, Amy M. Ho, Sarah Hotchkiss, Christine M. Peterson, and Emma Spertus. Curated by Jackie Im and Aaron Harbour.

Expanded Field is an exhibition that takes the gallery space of MacArthur B Arthur – the physical characteristics of the space and its location – as a jumping off point but not an end. In an attempt to move away from the autonomy of the art object and in reaction to their working conditions, artists created works that were specific to a site. Making reference to Rosalind Krauss’ seminal essay, Sculpture in the Expanded Field, the artists in this exhibition have been asked to expand the field of the gallery; to produce work that bears a physical relationship to the exhibition space, yet stretches beyond it creating a hybrid of autonomy and dependence. Through use of visual illusion, architectural reference, and narrative allusion, Expanded Field hopes to explore an artwork’s potential to disorient the viewer and to radically exceed its surroundings.

AND

More legible version here.

In the Common Corner of Four Rooms

2011-11-11T16:02:00.000-08:00

Finally some pictures of my contribution to a great group show at Statler Waldorf Gallery in LA curated by Christina Linden. I was impressed by the work of my fellow artists in the show: Dana Hemenway, Cara Levine, Cybele Lyle, and Hillary Wiedemann.

Detail - STABILITY FACILITY

After contemplating the many possibilities of modular installation, I ended up with three pieces: NEW MANTEL, STABILITY FACILITY, and BIOGRAPHY AND SEX.

Detail - STABILITY FACILITY

NEW MANTEL

Detail

STABILITY FACILITY

BIOGRAPHY AND SEX

Below are some of the other permutations, this process seemed to amuse Christina.

Thanks to Jen and Molly for hosting us!

Box on a box (homage to Young Joon Kwak)

2011-10-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

The last of the Oxbow pieces... I like this one a lot. I utilized a picture of fellow resident Young Joon Kwak's prop from a video as a covering for my platform. As usual, one picture doesn't seem to do the trick, so I have provided several.

Book show at ox-bow

2011-10-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Books and more books... Nick Johnston, my studiomate, and I decided to put together a little show in our studio. He made books he haven't finished and I made painting of potential book sculptures. His books are displayed directly above mine and are quiet nice.

Books on baseboard.

Wash

Spirit of the age

The sex book

Pincushions

TRADE SECRETS

Voyage to Jupiter

How to get CONTROL of your TIME and your LIFE

A little bonus sculpture.

flashes

2011-10-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

Inside out

MTB

Weaner

K hole, as in "internet k hole."

Camo hut.

The least of the world

2011-10-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

last couple of days

2011-10-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

I enjoying documenting pieces in all stages of development.

Chair with covering, maquette.

Entablature and extinguisher.

Keep stacking... love the modular sculpture/platforms.

Lexicon series

more lexicon or 2 morphemes

Before

Now

Little walk

Big view, Lake Michigan on a windy day.

A visual diagram of Real Time and Space's history.

oxbow michigan baby

2011-09-29T11:43:00.001-07:00

Three days ago I slid into an amazing locale perched on a lagoon, a mile from Lake Michigan, for a two-week residency at Ox-Bow in MI. My plan is no plan. I'll put pictures of my thought lines and experiments on this blog.

I'm a big fan of list, I think you will be seeing more.

I think this covered chair is great. Maybe more chair-sculptures?

Dark pong.

I was inspired by this an online version of what must be a fantastic show at the Museum of Everything: www.digevery.com.

Pools of green.

Strangler on ping pong table.

Simple stack.

Dry print on form leaning against wall.

Wet print on form.

Larger view.

On edge.

I went to the fair....

2011-09-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

TRADE SECRETS arrived at (e)merge art fair with minutes to spare before the deadline for the Thursday night preview, thanks to our wonderful helpers; Mark and Mike.

The installation changed its composition daily.

Who knew carpet could be so fun.

The arrangement on the last day.

Coutney's handiwork, definitely a work of art by itself.

Top-shelf.

Pencil and mineral.

Collaborators of TRADE SECRETS; me and Courtney Tramposh.

Last minute straightening.

Oh so many choices, unlimited possibilities.

440 Broadway

2011-09-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

The fine folks at 440 Broadway, a Brooklyn studio, played incredible host to Courtney Tramposh and I while we worked on TRADE SECRETS, an art presentation for (e)merge art fair.

The beginning....

Check out the cool mirror trick with The Supernatural piece.

Getting closer...

Check out that great piece in the background by Raphael Taylor. I would love to do a show with him.

I would like to thank Matthew Draving for inspiring me with his couch.

SHIFT + FLOW @ Dorsky

2011-09-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

I recently participated in a group show at Dorsky Gallery in Long Island City in NY titled: "Shift and Flow." It was pleasure to work with curator Zelijka Himbele Kozul on a continuation of my "Spirit of the Age" series, which looks at empty buildings and courtyards of late corporate modernist style (ala 1980's).

As usual the piece is difficult to document, because it depends on the viewers movement through the room. The angled images have an eery depth when seen in person. But, here are few different perspectives to give you a sense of it.

The show is up until November 27th with a couple of events forth coming.

tennis

2011-09-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

clefts

2011-08-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

Someone's art material

Picture on edge.

ping pongrific

2011-08-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

More tests today, starting to fall in love with that forest white trimmed green expanse.

notes

2011-08-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Part of today's machinations.

Earlier plots at installation site.

The Apartment's porch.

A fabricated structure for an other artist work on ping pong table.

Amazing cover and interesting book. Here are some slices:

"The Baroque building can only be grasped through one's experiencing it in its variety of effects. ... Walls and vaults of Baroque buildings are liberated from the plane surface and interact vigorously with both interior and exterior space." p.10 Baroque and Rococo Architecture by Henry A. Milton

"The wall surface is difficult to determine. Even when the wall does show itself from between burgeoning masses, it is ruptured by nitche that presses against the plaster on either side. The main sensation is that of powerful massive structural members purposefully describing a strongly conceived space and not simply subdividing a wall surface." p.11 ibid

Some illustrations:

Love these stairs.

Curved doorway

Curved building

Cool corner.

play with the pieces

2011-08-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

Some fun with the dis-assembly and take down of Architecture on Architecture.

serious plan

2011-07-15T15:03:00.001-07:00

tests

2011-07-11T16:48:00.001-07:00

some studio shots... like the white column!

special features: some pics of the making of "architecture on architecture"

2011-07-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to my amazing fabricator, Mark Taylor, who built this complex structure so it could safely hang from the ceiling.

A floorless room without walls

2011-07-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

I am super excited about being in the current show at The Lab, "A floorless room without walls," curated by Chris Fitzpatrick and Marcella Faustini.

Similar to most of my projects, but especially true in this case, my piece, "Architecture on architecture," is hard to document. It is best experienced at The Lab, relating to the other works in this artfully considered show. But, for those who can't visit, here is my best shot:

There also was a review of the show in The SF Weekly.

More than a picture

2011-06-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Gave a talk at Queen's Nails Project last night with 2 other artists. It was great to flesh out my current ideas via power point.

just figured out how to post the slide show.....

Can't wait to the next one!

Anomalistic Urge / Vaudevill Park

2011-05-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Finally getting some documentation of my newest piece, Pincushions, from the studio to the gallery. Getting funky with the books.

the cubicle: hisory and theories

2011-03-24T09:24:00.001-07:00

drawing night!

2011-03-23T21:23:00.001-07:00

displays

2011-03-23T10:34:00.001-07:00

renewed

2011-03-20T22:44:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for The Apartment show coming up this weekend, "11 lights of the Bay," in Vancouver.

pipeline

2011-01-05T15:34:00.001-08:00

little and big ideas... are in the pipeline. as a friend of mine, jonny schroeder, recently put it, "taking applications for new super team. making dreams. taking names"

2010-10-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

WHITE COLUMNS

FIVE NEW SHOWS OPENING

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 6 - 8 PM

GALLERY: 179 CANAL / ANYWAYS
– an exhibition organized by Margaret Lee

Anicka Yi
Josh Kline
Caitlin Keogh/Graham Anderson
Gregory Edwards
Alisa Baremboym
Michael Caputo
Nolan Simon
Thomas Torres Cordova/Charles Mayton
Andrei Koschmieder
Yemenwed
Jared Madere
Devon Costello
Trevor Shimizu
Antoine Catala
K. Mustermann
Liz Wendelbo
Stewart Uoo
Margaret Lee

THE BULLETIN BOARD: STEPHEN FOWLER

WHITE ROOM: EMMA SPERTUS

WHITE ROOM: FREDERICK LOOMIS presents Edward Mathew Taylor
"The Third Testament Project: The Genesis of The Coming Race of Human Computers"

PROJECT: RVNG

ALL WELCOME

OCTOBER 29 - DECEMBER 4, 2010

TUESDAY - SATURDAY, NOON - 6PM

WHITE COLUMNS
320 WEST 13TH STREET
(ENTER ON HORATIO STREET)
NEW YORK, NY 10014
WWW.WHITECOLUMNS.ORG

WHITE COLUMNS / 1970 - 2010 / 40 YEARS OF SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS

door

2010-10-18T13:14:00.001-07:00

new squares hanging in michael johnsons's studio

2010-10-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

just hooked up the printer and was testing it out. it is fun to mix contexts, in this case my work (photos of oakland details) camped in michael's paintings.

we have a history of working in relation. see my piece of his piece.

last batch of quotes from "four walking tours of modern architecture in nyc" by louise huxtable

2010-10-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

-The appearance of the building is the direct visual expression of this structural grid, which creates an all-over pattern of equal horizontal and vertical emphasis -- here abstract geometric design of relatively pleasant proportion and color.

-This striking, even stark simplicity was meant to emphasize the revolutionary character of the new modern style.

-it is experimental and the results is on the garish side ...

-there is, however, unfortunate lack of design integration...

-The lobby confuses with a multiplicity of inadequately related details ... achieve only a conflicting fussiness legitimate neither as structure nor as decoration.

sculpture/naked

2010-10-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

getting started

2010-10-13T15:52:00.001-07:00

nothing like a little experimentation...

thanks to photoshop.

quotes

2010-10-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

"four walking tours of modern architecture in new york city" by louise huxtable, 1961

-unparalleled visual drama

-it is a system of design and assembly that has proved eminently exploitable, producing an unimaginative set of cliches

-The pre-eminent client for this new architecture has been the large corporation for whom modern design a Park Avenue address are prestige factors of the first order.

-large open pedestrian areas

-trend setting tower

-extravagant and exuberant

-Although this calculated unconventionality often stretches creative imagination to the breaking point, the results are notable in a field marked by increasing standardization of design.

-trend toward impressively designed business building lobbies

-the design is an efficient but routine solution

-If the insistence on this bare simplicity was overstrict, it succeeded in its purpose of re-establishing sensitivity to the important basic elements of architecture -- the wall, the frame, the nature of materials, and the proper relationship of the essential parts of the whole.

getting down to business in the new new studio

2010-10-11T16:09:00.001-07:00

thanks to raphael taylor, austin willis, michael johnson, for letting me carve out some space in their studio.

imainged top elevations of auto dealerships

2010-09-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

A new exercise for graphic perspectives.

pop-up stairs

2010-09-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

the esthetic itself

2010-09-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

More great tidbits from the 80's about 80's architecture in the nytimes.

ARCHITECTURE VIEW; MODERNISM REAFFIRMS ITS POWER
By PAUL GOLDBERGER
Published: November 24, 1985

The moral force of modernism, its determination to see the world in a new way and remake it accordingly, had ebbed; what was left was the esthetic itself, stripped of its ideological baggage. [...]

The neo-modernism of the mid-1980's does not look like the modernism of an earlier generation. Consistent with its interest in esthetic matters over social meaning, it is more mannered, more complex visually than most earlier modernism: the work of Richard Meier is sufficient testament to that.

externally applied decoration

2010-09-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

In my hunt for the connections between 80's architecture styles and the (modernist) International Style has come this frank perspective from the nytimes.

ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN; Skycrapers Shouldn't Look Down on Humanity
By MOSHE SAFDIE
Published: May 29, 1988

Today we come full circle to post-modernism only to discover that this reaction to modernism was also primarily stylistic. The spice of life, missing in modernist designs, was to be achieved through externally applied decoration. [...]

A great alliance was forged between the world of real estate developers, advertising and corporate merchandising with a new breed of architects who could respond with memorable, eye-catching, novel tall buildings. The merchandisers were quick to realize how easy it was to achieve a readily marketable product of great promotional value by means of a skin-deep styling treatment of buildings. [...]

With minimum investment - decorative skin patterns, elaborate tops and sometimes bottoms - one could achieve the appearance of a varied and rich architecture. [...]

Beyond its own form, the tall building challenges us with a problem of how it fits into its urban setting with little precedent to go on. [...]

Big alcove with ramp

2010-09-13T18:43:00.001-07:00

smashed pool and others

2010-09-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

love the stairs!

One always needs an alcove with ramp.

containters and an entry

2010-09-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

bent pics

2010-09-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Endless possibilities

2010-09-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

in my new temporary home, lobot, in West Oakland.

Pre-move productive studio activiites

2010-08-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

Mini platform made for friend.

The mini platform enteres the photograph for a photoshop collage effect.

inner chamber or ante room

thank you suzi for doing a long distant studio visit!

2010-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

ceiling engagement

2010-08-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

I can't get enough of those illusions created by bent photographic interiors. These are a couple of the latest.

Coverage

2010-08-04T20:08:00.001-07:00

I love how the photos in these covers operate.

new platforms

2010-07-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Ideas of display are percolating in the studio... here are some of the mock-up platforms.

bending and tiling

2010-07-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

Photos of spaces are ideal for form defining experiments. And, it was great to see John last night, can't wait to drag you into the laboratory.

double rainbows

2010-07-20T17:27:00.001-07:00

Here is some exciting photographic connections...

some peeks into my studio

2010-07-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Window Dressing

2010-07-15T14:37:00.001-07:00

This is the only documentation I have of an installation I made in the window of the Alaska Building in Boise, Idaho. The project was titled "Window Dressing," and placed two free standing enlarged pictures of cubicles taken in empty auto dealerships within the an empty storefront window.

Cubicles in process

2010-07-15T14:30:00.001-07:00

IDAHO: BOISE: ALASKA BLDG

2010-05-10T21:54:00.001-07:00

I am working on a big window installation tentively titled "window dressing."

Drawings for the New Year

2010-01-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

Some sketches in sloppy architecture style of my studio.

And a proposal for and homage to Baldessari (sorry, John for the misspelling).

Back in Oakland

2009-11-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

Time to get busy....

Day 7

2009-10-23T09:15:00.001-07:00

Last day!

Final version, for the moment.

The package for days of the week letters for the Woodside Church sign.

I love this open display space, the possibilities are endless.

One last experiment.

Day 6

2009-10-22T17:52:00.001-07:00

A different camera today, it is a little more saturated looking, for better or worse.

A drawing within the scene it portrays, part 2.

A bigger version of the hinge-like displays.

Hmmmm.

Day 5

2009-10-21T11:10:00.001-07:00

A tight fit, but it is all there.

Studies for a protruding shelf, an indirect homage to ornate church door hinges.

More then meets the eye.

More studies.... this time with some digital help.

Day 4

2009-10-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

Getting a late start today. But, ___ I am ready.

Tangrams or two bulletin boards.

Old and one new diagrams, some drawings and mixing of different ideas.

Day 3

2009-10-19T09:56:00.001-07:00

A sunny day, an auspicious omen for a productive day.

This architectural water color goes out to Debbie.

My own mini-folding coat rack!

The last two of the day.

Day 2

2009-10-18T12:00:00.001-07:00

A little intervention, Sunday.

Drawing and collage.

And my new favorite thing... a folding coat rack!

Some Oakland photos behind Troy plexiglass.

Little paintings of local features.

Contemporary Artists Center: Day 1

2009-10-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Troy, NY

Arrived, met people, purchased provisions.

So far, I like this crazy church turned artists' all purpose space. It is my first stain glass windowed studio.

Booked, some new work at Forthrite

2009-08-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

A new world of fake books as seen at Forthrite in Oakland.

A fantasy monograph.

Party messes from the seventies to today.

New visions of old predators.

Sharp!
href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_M_8ahjppmkk/SpCrlbGwXNI/AAAAAAAAApo/9AyE6yyHvtg/s1600-h/IMG_0340.jpg">

Do they look better on the floor...

2009-06-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

Take Down or Naked Platforms

2009-06-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

Dis-assembly is fun.

For the record... the fine group of artists for "You wouldn't know contemporary art if it hit us in the face."

Z-axis, A Lobot Gallery Show

2009-05-26T16:58:00.001-07:00

From an even more recent show: Z-axis at Lobot Gallery:
I was commissioned to make "Space Casestudy: Nightmare on Elm Street," for Z-axis, a show about the relationship between architecture and art. "Space Case-study" is part of a new series that re-interprets the space of a single horror film. I used a corridor type-structure to activate the images, stills from Nightmare on Elm Street, which explored dream spaces (seen in black and white) in relation to real space (seen in color).
More images: www.emmaspertus.com

Hatch Gallery Show

2009-05-26T16:38:00.001-07:00

Titled "YOU WOULDN'T KNOW CONTEMPORARY ART IF IT SLAPPED US IN THE FACE," a nice group show, and location of my first big piece on the West coast. This piece, "Transitional Space Platform," is a composite of wood and images where each level highlights a transitional area found in horror films (i.e. corridors, stairs, portals...). More info about the show: www.hatchgallery.org
More info abou tthe piece: www.emmaspertus.com

New and Old (or Re-use in California)

2009-03-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Horror Spots is the title of this piece that was displayed at Hatch Gallery's Print Sale. I love boxes, especially when they have pictures wheat-pasted to them. If you want one or two let me know.

Thesis Pictures: take down

2009-02-22T15:00:00.001-08:00

I would love to exhibit this piece again, if you have a gallery or space.

Thesis Pictures: before and during

2009-02-22T13:44:00.000-08:00

30 oddities, 6 types, and many views

2009-01-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

My thesis piece is hard to document, particularly since it is about a personal experience in the space. But, for those unable to see it in person. You can have a taste. I intend to make a more animated experience of the piece through my website to come soon.

Thesis Time

2008-11-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

I am currently concentrating on my piece for the MFA Thesis Exhibition. Here is the invite:

Hunter College MFA Fall Thesis Exhibition
December 17 - January 17, 2008
Opening Reception: Wednesday, December 17, 6-8pm

Times Square Gallery/ Hunter College
450 41st St. (Between 9th and 10th Ave.)
212-772-4991
Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 1-6pm

For more info: www.huntermfathesis.org

This is the image on my postcard...send me your address, if you want one.

Door to door horror- Redux

2008-11-10T14:52:00.000-08:00

The last Hunter MFA Open Studio was reason enough to re-visit my summer piece, Door to door horror. I enjoyed this new formation as it thwarts tall viewers while also allowing more room for spacial interaction with the piece.

Flying Mirror

2008-11-03T15:16:00.001-08:00

Tests

2008-10-31T10:01:00.001-07:00

The MAP

2008-10-23T15:40:00.001-07:00

More diagrams

2008-10-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Models

2008-10-18T13:02:00.001-07:00

This is a little like what my thesis project will look like, but still testing.

A Sleeper, Tissue Box- Style

2008-10-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

Two images are better then one, especially when one dispenses the other.

Sucking Bed, Tissue Box-style

2008-10-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Another experiment...

Horror chart 1

2008-10-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

It is time to start graphing and charting the wild universe of horror.

shelf (doily) unit

2008-10-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

I am not sure where this is going. It is a bit strange.

Ladies Know

2008-09-30T11:26:00.001-07:00

Some Experiments, in preparation for my thesis project.

Special Effects

2008-09-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine helped me create an animated version of documentation for a summer piece I made, called Tarps. Check it out if oyu have a chance, you animate it by moving the arrow over the image.

White Columns, "One Week Only"

2008-08-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

More picture from the show

2008-07-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

This poster is hot off the presses for my first non-school related New York show. After my installation is up, I will update this post with photos.

Sketch and experiment

2008-07-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

In my search and research of devices, come another simple but beautiful one, the napkin dispenser.

And in continuation of my recent fascination with office supplies, the shelving unit re-organized.

English Churches

2008-07-02T14:24:00.001-07:00

A cover, deconstructed, reveals illusionary depth.

Fantasy Rolodex-Maquette

2008-06-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Real and fantastical rolodexes

2008-06-26T17:23:00.002-07:00

New Tarps and Wooden Clusters

2008-06-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

These pieces explore my fascination of 2-D and 3-D space. By employing the simple optical illusion of one picture plane broken into a perpendicular V shape, what once was flat becomes more visually complex.

I am showing two pictures of the same image, in order to show how the image morphs as the viewer move in position to it.

Covers

2008-06-15T19:28:00.001-07:00

This is a sketch of a real book cover, as well as, a sketch for a future sculpture. I want to explore this dual nature of sketches that they can simultaneously be pictures of something and a picture of something to be.

The art of extraction

2008-06-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves making collage, I am no different. However, I seem to take more pleasure from extraction then addition. This piece, Family Paintings, is an example of this tendency.

Rolodexes

2008-06-15T19:20:00.001-07:00

The rolodex seems to have gone the way of the answering machine, but it's sculptural and functional beauty has yet to be fully explored, in my opinion.