Tuesday, June 19, 2007

germinate

germinate right
This is a bit of a departure for me and, because of that, was fun to do. The inspiration was a meeting with several local artists (including Barbara) who comprise a group called LEAP. I participated in my first exhibition with them last year. We will be exhibiting together again early next year so were brainstorming ideas and decided to do something similar to the Illustration Friday idea, i.e. all create an artwork based on a one-word theme. Our first word was, as you can see, germinate. And I don't care if I'm criticized for being a literalist; I also find a lot of artspeak to be hopelessly pretentious, so it seems the most honest approach for someone like me.

light bulb = germination of an idea

uterus = germination of a person

no clues on what the seed is doing! :)

Belinda saw the painting on Flickr and had the novel observation that the uterus looks like the Dodge Ram logo. How brilliant is that! Davezilla takes it one step further:


23 Comments:

Blogger Caroline said...

Fascinating Andrea - I love that ram logo version too.

I like the background too - makes me think of picnic cloths and other outdoor activities that might lead to, ahem, germination...

19/6/07 11:52 a.m.  
Blogger daisies said...

oh wow ~ this is fascinating ... very cool!!

19/6/07 11:56 a.m.  
Blogger Inside our hands, outside our hearts said...

Very new ideas, byt that I mean, one would have to be an artists to see and understand where she might get this.

I shall have to come back and see the rest of the art work you present. I paint astract, but this is refreshing.

19/6/07 2:27 p.m.  
Blogger Alda said...

I like it very much.

I also completely agree with you on the artspeak idea - I translate a lot of art texts (for exhibitions, etc.) into English, and some of them are just hopeless. So ridiculous!

19/6/07 3:56 p.m.  
Blogger kj said...

i wish i could say something clever about the role of the uterus in this painting. since i can't think of anything, i will instead admire your versatility and tell you i like this.

oh, how about this:

andrea, "u tear us" up with your interesting artwork.

oh well....

19/6/07 9:38 p.m.  
Blogger Merisi said...

I'd say, you enrich us all with your germinated art. Is that still English?
Love the tuned-up Dodge Ram. Was about time somebody recognized it for what it really is! :-)

20/6/07 7:23 a.m.  
Blogger Ian Lidster said...

"Just out, the 2008 Dodge Ram In Utero!!"
Brilliant.
Your work is brilliant, too. And I love your slam against 'artiste pretentiousness', which applies so well to literary pretentiousness.
Covering the arts beat for years I always found the 'best' artists (as in exercising genuine talent, much like you do) were the most down to earth of the lot. The puffed up were almost invariably frauds and pseuds.
Someday if you ever come by, we must have coffee. Would love to chat with you.
Ian

20/6/07 7:32 a.m.  
Blogger Unknown said...

Your mind is a never ending well full of creativity and ideas. i admire that in you.

20/6/07 8:04 a.m.  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love this. Goddess willing, men wil take note.

20/6/07 8:19 a.m.  
Blogger Heather said...

O.M.G. hahahahahahahahaha!
Sorry, but that was just the thing at this moment...I LOVE the work...I think it's fantastic and funny and bright...it's perfect.

20/6/07 11:24 a.m.  
Blogger jafabrit said...

That is a great concept and challenging. I like what you did :)
I am so with you on the artspeak.

20/6/07 12:35 p.m.  
Blogger Jana Bouc said...

What a hoot! I'd heard at one point that advertisers were trying to use sexual images and body parts to subliminally influence people. I'm not to sure how many manly men would be proud to be owning a truck whose logo is so feminine though!

20/6/07 2:46 p.m.  
Blogger Ellen said...

This is really neat! I like art that has many meanings!

20/6/07 8:54 p.m.  
Blogger Bibi said...

Very interesting Andrea ... I'm reminded of a friend (male) who is obsesses, or so it seems, with painting large orchid type flowers as they open in full bloom ... you can imagine what they represent.

Also, wanted to share, 20-some years ago they did an experiment on English tv show ... brought in bunch of famous art critics who RAVED about the 'new London artist' and his FAB work. In reality, the artist was an actor. And the paintings were done by 9 year old kids who'd grabbed old bikes and tools in a scrapyard, ridden through paint and onto the canvases, and had paint fights over the canvases.

Oh, Yah! Were those critics embarrassed.

21/6/07 9:28 a.m.  
Blogger andrea said...

Caroline: You're killing me here. It was kind of fussy painting all those cels, but fun to figure out a colour scheme.

Daisies and Inside/Outside: Thanks!

Alda: But the academic world of grants and university appointments, and the high-end art market require them so what can you do? (JUst keep painting...)

KJ: OK, that's enough! :)

Merisi: You, too! :)

Ian: That's good to hear. And then there are the artists who insist on parading an outre and eccentric public persona. Again, what about the actual art?

Toni: It's the wading through the detritus that's also up there that's the challenge! And thanks.

Catnapping: You tell 'em!

HMBT: I love it when soemone gets the humour!

Jafabrit: Your art definitely doesn't need the artspeak.

Jana: I just love the dichotomy as a Dodge Ram is almost the most macho vehicle you can buy.

Ellen: Me, too.

Bibi: Sounds a bit like Georgia O'Keeffe revisited. She was apparently shocked and mortified at critics' interpretations of her flower paintings. And I just *love* stories of critics who get their comeuppance. Too funny.

21/6/07 9:59 a.m.  
Blogger Romeo Morningwood said...

Wow that is funny. He didn't even mention the slogan Ram Tough or the band Ram Jam!
It would have been easier to draw a big weiner and call it
'German ate'...
no hold on, all sorts of other images are starting to flood my chambers because I am einen quartal Deutsch!

21/6/07 11:34 a.m.  
Blogger Cynthia said...

That Dodge Ram logo-uterus comparison is hilarious!! I like your new painting and I too am somewhat of a literalist. I loathe art speak... I'm trying to write an artist statement right now without slipping into AS. Yuck.

21/6/07 12:49 p.m.  
Blogger WithinWithout said...

The seed is growing, girl! That's what properly planted seeds do, with rain and fertilizer and sun!

Duh, men will take note of what? (*Runs away*)

21/6/07 1:53 p.m.  
Blogger Paul said...

To me, I see a lima bean...

21/6/07 5:59 p.m.  
Blogger dinahmow said...

Yes...brilliant does seem to be the appropriate adjective here.And in the comments!

21/6/07 11:11 p.m.  
Blogger Paula In Pinetop said...

This is thought provoking and I appreciate what you bring to the piece.

I like the gallery wrap style canvas. It is generally my first choice.

22/6/07 12:30 p.m.  
Blogger ninjapoodles said...

So we're browsing the webbernet, poking around looking at paintings, when Alex, who really has been seeking a creative outlet, says, "Maybe I should start painting." Of course, my initial impulse was to mock him, and he was only taking himself half-seriously, but then...you know what? WHY NOT? I'm thinking we may just have some fun around here shortly.

22/6/07 8:08 p.m.  
Blogger Ces Adorio said...

Oh well, the entire painting says fecund to me! I love the concept and the association.

26/6/07 4:27 p.m.  

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