Thank you Scot for being apart of The Little Interview!
What inspires your current work?
Cloning technology. Courting rituals. Twin Hemisphere Maps. Harmony. Disharmony.
How did you make the artistic connection between maps and silhouettes?
I have been working with maps for a long time. Initially the attraction sparked because they offered information along with aesthetics, but increasingly I became interested in withholding or suspending information. While silhouettes offer the power of contour description they also invest the mystique of tableau. I use colorful maps, rather than flat black, to provide context. The series is approaching 100 pieces; each is made specifically from a map of a romantic city in Europe
, and even more specifically from a time not too long ago. Maps just recently out of print elicit an undercurrent of nostalgia. The specific shapes just shy of detail suggest variable futures. It is the network of locations, figures and personal histories that create the viewing experience.
What was the last great place you traveled too?
During consecutive weekends this past June I had two openings in LA. It was an amazing week only the West Coast could deliver! The night of the first opening I wound up at a party in the Hills that involved raccoons ringing a bell on the back patio for food. The interim week was spent up north in the Bay Area with family and friends, as well as stopping in on favorite institutions. I always visit the Yerba Buena when I’m in SF. When I ambled in this time I was surprised to recognize the work so personally – wild, wearable fiber work we donned in grad school. It was fun to relive the Cranbrook days while roaming the gallery. The next day I journeyed down to LA for another delightful opening. There were no bell ringing raccoons at the celebration afterward but my last night on the West Coast was spent explaining to Sunset Blvd. club goers I was not shooting for tabloids despite the large camera I was wielding. Suffice to say it was a week filled with a lot of laughter, great memories, good friends and crazy times.
Where do you live and does your environment affect your work?
I live in two places. Chair of an art department, I have a condo near the school. People tell me my place is where they took outside stills for Charles In Charge, for all you people out there in TV land. I also live in Philadelphia, though not 100% anymore. The 80-minute commute became a hardship but I still triangulate. I enjoy Philadelphia for a variety of reasons but am happy to live in central NJ where I can (and often do) hop on a train to get to NYC in less than an hour. Thus I have the best of three worlds: beloved Philly, resourceful Jersey and exquisite New York City. It’s constantly stimulating.
Name a few of your favorite contemporary artists?
Mark Dion. Michael Joo. Rachel Whiteread. Ann Hamilton. Tom Friedman. Bill Viola. Jane Hammond. Ai Wei Wei. Dread Scott. Mona Hatoum. Maya Lin. Louise Lawler.
INSPIRATION
What would your last meal be?
The meal just before I die.
Do you dream and if so do you have recurring themes?
I dream often. I’m constantly dreaming about where I’d like to be, who I’d like to share my life with and how I can positively impact the world. I try to make the most of now though, thus sleep happens sporadically rather than with regularity. This leads to REM interruption, which leads to accurate dream recall. My most wonderful dream had me flying with great speed over mountains. It was amazing; I had cold wind on my face, I could see valleys and towns below and I was superhuman!
If you could collaborate with one person who would it be?
Matthew Barney. I like how he thinks and suspect collaboration would be an adventure of events, crafted objects and deep discussions. It would also be eye opening to work with an established rock star with a cache of opportunities. Speaking of rock stars, I suppose there is a third reason; if Bjork wanted to drop by “our” studio and work out some new tracks it would be a unique joy.
What is the one piece of artwork you would love to own?
The David. Bet I’d have a lot of visitors. Bernini’s David though, not those other hacks.
