Daily Practice

Completed the apron mostly.  Needs more pockets and leg straps.  May shorten it a bit.

Also deconstructed Gillian’s cat-jump.  It was easier than I thought. I thought about the original maker as I pulled out the old nails and flat head screws.  It’s old school plywood, the kinds that actually made from solid pine covered with veneer.  The feet are solid mahogany I think.  It seems to have been part of some larger construction.  Next I want to make a model of the piece.  The transformed cat-jump will be white and open, full of air and light.  I am going to slice up the parts on the table saw, expand and re-assemble.  It will still function as a cat jump but also as a plant stand and storage area.

I can’t stand it! They are taking over my cupboard and I’ve had it. So I’ll make my own cottage cheese and yogurt! stay tuned.

My sewing machine broke and threw me off track, but I’m back!

News from Nowhere, or Nowhere Times, the Non*mart newspaper project I mentioned is  receiving considerable Love from many perspective contributors!  I still need to keep it sorta on the down low but I am happy to say three of my art idols have expressed their desire to contribute.  More about that to come.  To learn more about how to contribute go to nonmart.com.

Also, my solo-exhibition proposal Me-you-topia or You-me-topia was accepted by  The Lab for their 2011 season.  I am especially pleased as the Lab is the perfect setting for the project.

And finally, wrote up a pretty tight proposal for another Non*mart project, the Non*mart Self-Serve Community Table.  First I thought I’d design a platform, then benches came to mind, and finally I had a vision of a white picnic table. Later that day I was riding my bike around SF and came upon this picnic table.

non*mart self-serve community table - in "process"

Then I wrote this:

Created by artists Sasha Petrenko and Kathryn Kenworth, Non*Mart opened as an art show, design studio and shop in a San Francisco storefront/gallery, where artists, designers and the general public swapped items, skills and services. Non*Mart hosted public events where visitors engaged directly with artists through on-site projects and workshops including Miriam Dym’s Logo-Removal Service, Greg Lowe’s Transformational Photo Booth, Alison Pebworth’s Personal Road Map Exchange, art, food demonstrations and more. Having closed the doors to its first location, Non*Mart continues. Currently we are developing several projects, one of which we’d like to introduce at KALA for Groundswell, 2010.

The Non*Mart Self-Serve Community Table will act as a site for the exchange of ideas, goods and services relevant to our mission of exploring and supporting a more relational, less commercial culture and economy.  Deceptively simple in form, the Community Table will first appear in the gallery as a traditionally constructed (of salvaged material) picnic table, painted white to evoke a dreamy, neutrality.  Included in the installation will be an official Non*Mart Trade Binder with both completed and blank trade sheets. Visitors may fill out a trade request for items listed in the Trade Binder or complete their own trade sheets.  Visitors will also find a Community Table Calendar where they can sign up of workshops, readings, demonstrations, or they can schedule an event of their own to take place in the gallery at the Community Table. When there is not a scheduled event, the Community Table will be available to everyone, as a place to converse, sit, study or rest.

One of our principle concerns is to address the long standing wall between artists and their audience, between art and everyday.  The Non*Mart Self-Serve Community Table is an installation that provides a “neutral space” for the public to actualize the ideas presented, to experiment and experience.  The simple form and symbolism of the table as a sculpture reflect the ideas embedded in the project.  Also embedded in the piece is speck of skepticism and play.  What will people do?  How will they use the space?  How will they leave it?  Not only will the space come alive in the moment of activity, it will continue to be enriched by all that’s left behind.

non*mart  2010

Working on my uniform, starting with the utopian-apron proto-type.  I love denim.  looks like I have at least two new collaborators on this project. Taking in my first piece of furniture this weekend as well.  Along with the apron, I am currently working on the shelter-tote and continuing the Crash-Pad, 2009.  News from Nowhere may be just that, a typically unfinished utopian project.  I am not so sure about the format.  It seems very wasteful to print so much paper.  A friend showed me a zine printed on a matchbook recently. Matchbook Story dot com I think. See that’s utopian.  Multipurpose. useful. light my smoke, read a little prose. Utopia.

Right now, Non*Mart is writing up a proposal for Open Engagement … that’s top secret, but I have a feeling it’s gonna be good.

I am showing in November at Soap Gallery in San Francisco.  I will probably show my Alternative State Monuments project or maybe the remodel abstractions.

And just this morning, after some serious research into Utopia and Russian Constructivism, I’ve come up with a name for my next solo project, “Me and You-topia,” or “You and Me-topia.”  I am going to work on some models and drawings today.  I will create utopian furniture and accessories from other peoples stuff!  Sweet.  Already have material for 2 shelter totes: “it’s a handbag, it’s a shelter!” More can be found here.  Plus, I am still seeking submissions and actively working on recipe swap. Find out more right here.

Today I am making some yeasted bread rolls.  Not my area of expertise but I like a challenge.

Ekaterina Zernova, Collective farm workers greeting the tank, 1937

This painting has been haunting me since I first saw it here a few days ago.

Result of a my recent obsession with Soviet Constructivists

With a little time off I’ve started exploring some things … relating to a recent realization about … utopian societies, dreamed, failed, planned, unrealized.  It makes sense that I am curious considering that for 2 generations, my ancestors have fled specifically soviet brand ”utopian” programs.  I am a skeptic, but still a dreamer.

What a year!  Have a look at just a few pictures taken during Non*Mart’s Holiday Stop and Swap, December 19th, 2009.

Thank you everyone who participated in Non*Mart 2009!

Next up for Non*Mart …  stay tuned.  Kathryn Kenworth and I are planning to submit some ideas to Open Engagement.  Leading up to the Stop-n-Swap we were interviewed on an internet radio show, link here, and the SF Weekly did a real nice job previewing the event as well.  Link here.

My recipe swap in still in process.  I hope it will grow.  I am going to a New Years Day Lunch in a few hours.  I am going to bring some recipe cards to add to the collection.  Not sure what I’ll do with it but something performative I think.  Soon, for recipes see the Pages section at the top right of this page and click on Recipe Swap project.