Unusual Media

Here’s a collection of unusual media for art and some weird — out of the ordinary — concepts for creating art.

1) Kaleidoscope Art:

This sparkling Take Your Time Exhibit by Olafur Eliasson at the Dallas Museum of Art. The artist shows the affects of filtered glass and stainless steel but more importantly he’s interested in the “intersection of nature and science” and uses five criteria for his “walk in kaleidoscopes”: mirrors, light, manipulation of landscape, use of scientific materials and methods, and photographs of Iceland to create a unique experience for each viewer.

2) Pincushion Art:

at the Dallas Museum of Art. They have an ongoing exhibition dedicated to interactive art (see my previous post link). This Artdaily.org post mentions how materials can have powerful meanings to artists because they bring their own experiences to the work as they manipulate the materials for artistic creation.

3) Tea Bag and Trash Art:

This Oddly Elegant Exhibition took place in Seattle by artist, Tilla Kuenzilli, to demonstrate how artists can use material that have been thrown in the dumpster without much thought. Trash become “treasure” so to speak, but I don’t know if these outfits are all that practical…and they might get some stares on the street. This concept in some way reminds me of my previous post on Yuriko Yamguchi, in how she uses Nature’s discards to create her work.

4) Lacquered Wood with tree sap, eggshell and gold leaf:

These works were shown at the Metro Fine Art Gallery in Kuala, Lumpur. I really like the warm-colored tone of this piece. It has a radiance that the lacquer helps to achieve.

5) Hurricane Miniatures:

These miniature ceramic hurricane images were created by George Bowes and are described along with other artists unusual use of ceramics in Clay Nation by Douglas Max Utter of The Cleveland Free Times. ” The Girl” sculpture by John Sweeney reminds me of the Mussel Dress I saw in Maine made of seashells, which to me has more display appeal.

6) Grass Art:

Chris Naylor has mowed a rendition of Mona Lisa in his yard. Here’s the story in the UK’s Telegraph. This reminds me of a previous post regarding cornfield art.

Eliza, of the Creative Review blog, describes Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey’s photosensitive grass art at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship. Interestingly, Olafur Eliasson is also mentioned here with a link to one of his fantastic waterfalls, which he is producing in New York City. I hope we’ll see them as we make our trek to Rhode Island soon.

7) Beer Bottles:

Artdaily.org describes that Beck’s beer has provided a canvas for four young, contemporary artists on their beer bottles. Judges from the Royal College of art in London selected these entries by Tom Price (Head 6), Charlotte Bracegirdle (Pintora), Simon Cunningham (Duckrabbit), and Ritta Ikonen (Let’s Stick Together).

I’ll have more collections of unusual places to find art in the future.