Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Oscar

Brian Dettmer

Brian Dettmer is a New York-based artist known for his detailed and innovative sculptures with books and other forms of antiquated media. Dettmer’s work has been exhibited internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions at galleries, museums and art centers including the Smithsonian (D.C.)

This is what Dettmer says about his art: 

The age of information in physical form is waning. As intangible routes thrive with quicker fluidity, material and history are being lost, slipping and eroding into the ether. Newer media swiftly flips forms, unrestricted by the weight of material and the responsibility of history. In the tangible world we are left with a frozen material but in the intangible world we may be left with nothing. History is lost as formats change from physical stability to digital distress.

The richness and depth of the book is universally respected yet often undiscovered as the monopoly of the form and relevance of the information fades over time. The book’s intended function has decreased and the form remains linear in a non-linear world. By altering physical forms of information and shifting preconceived functions, new and unexpected roles emerge. This is the area I currently operate in. Through meticulous excavation or concise alteration I edit or dissect communicative objects or systems such as books, maps, tapes and other media. The medium’s role transforms. Its content is recontextualized and new meanings or interpretations emerge.

credits: Brian Dettmer

What will your verse be?

"O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?

Enjoying Summer!

Hope you all are enjoying summer, I think I am. It has been one busy summer and that has caused lack of posts. Will be posting more frequently in Fall. Yesterday went for breakfast with friends riding in our respective vintage SLs.
Have fun!

Asiatic Lilies, Cicada and June bugs..

In the South, summer is in full bloom and so are my Asiatic Lilies. Last winter was so brutal, we had doubts lilies would even survive. A lot of plants  did not make it through the winter but Asiatic Lilies have never bloomed better.

It is not just lilies, Cicadas, June Bugs and at night Fireflies are in abundance too, (we were told a hard winter means less bugs). Guess no one knows the secrets of mother nature.

It is 94 F (34.5 C) outside and I have to hand water a lot of plants, thanks to the watering restrictions by our town, can't turn on the sprinkler system today, but the plants are thirsty.  If I can drink water when I am thirsty why can't they?

Life Change Ballroom, OKC

Every year in May, my club and the Jaguar club organize a car show to raise money for a local charity. This year we had a very unique organization selected as beneficiary, “ Life Change Ballroom”.  Vision of a person who herself did not know anything about dancing. Life Change is working in the inner city, mostly in low-income areas to keep elementary to high school children out of trouble by offering free classes in ballroom dancing. Some of these kids escaped gangs and turned their lives around.

The mission statement of Life Change Ballroom is, “This program teaches young children teamwork, sportsmanship, social awareness, confidence, self-esteem, goal-setting, the value of hard work, manners, etiquette, trust and mutual respect.  We are raising our expectations of these children.  We believe when we expect more, they will produce more”.  

A group of students from Life Change performed for one fifty of our members and guests at the awards dinner after the car show and brought a lot of joy. We raised $14,600 by the end of the evening.  Though it is not a lot of money but for an organization that is not recipient of big grants, it was a great deal.