so I’m here to talk a little bit about public art and I’m going to show you I’m
public art and I’m going to show you I’m
public art and I’m going to show you I’m also going to show you a few examples of
also going to show you a few examples of
also going to show you a few examples of some of my favorite public art it’s all
some of my favorite public art it’s all
some of my favorite public art it’s all happens to be done by me but just
happens to be done by me but just
happens to be done by me but just coincidentally but first of all so what
coincidentally but first of all so what
coincidentally but first of all so what is public art I’ve done a lot of
is public art I’ve done a lot of
is public art I’ve done a lot of research on this meaning I looked it up
research on this meaning I looked it up
research on this meaning I looked it up on Wikipedia before this talk and in in
on Wikipedia before this talk and in in
on Wikipedia before this talk and in in general public artists all it really
general public artists all it really
general public artists all it really says is that it’s art that’s been
says is that it’s art that’s been
says is that it’s art that’s been planned and is staged for a public space
planned and is staged for a public space
planned and is staged for a public space and it said that’s Akama accessible to
and it said that’s Akama accessible to
and it said that’s Akama accessible to all end quote
all end quote
all end quote so it’s that part of accessible at all
so it’s that part of accessible at all
so it’s that part of accessible at all that I want to talk about I think they
that I want to talk about I think they
that I want to talk about I think they mean a location which is certainly true
mean a location which is certainly true
mean a location which is certainly true but I also started to think that
but I also started to think that
but I also started to think that accessibility was also a kind of a
accessibility was also a kind of a
accessibility was also a kind of a visual language it really does talk
visual language it really does talk
visual language it really does talk about how to speak to the public and
about how to speak to the public and
about how to speak to the public and I’ll explain that a little bit as I go
I’ll explain that a little bit as I go
I’ll explain that a little bit as I go on so keep thinking about this idea of
on so keep thinking about this idea of
on so keep thinking about this idea of public art public art if there’s public
public art public art if there’s public
public art public art if there’s public art there must conversely be private art
art there must conversely be private art
art there must conversely be private art nobody really I don’t know that term
nobody really I don’t know that term
nobody really I don’t know that term private art sounds dirty
private art sounds dirty
private art sounds dirty doesn’t it private art what I’ve been
doesn’t it private art what I’ve been
doesn’t it private art what I’ve been thinking about this and I think I know
thinking about this and I think I know
thinking about this and I think I know what private art is so let me just this
what private art is so let me just this
what private art is so let me just this is supposed to be about our origins
is supposed to be about our origins
is supposed to be about our origins tonight I don’t think I was as an
tonight I don’t think I was as an
tonight I don’t think I was as an exceptional child there’s a lot of our
exceptional child there’s a lot of our
exceptional child there’s a lot of our speakers my origin story is I was raised
speakers my origin story is I was raised
speakers my origin story is I was raised in suburbs of Cincinnati and I grew up
in suburbs of Cincinnati and I grew up
in suburbs of Cincinnati and I grew up drawing I think a lot of kids draw I
drawing I think a lot of kids draw I
drawing I think a lot of kids draw I just never stopped so I just drew and
just never stopped so I just drew and
just never stopped so I just drew and watch television basically now
this is how I’m going to do this the
this is how I’m going to do this the rest of the talk this is a performance
rest of the talk this is a performance
rest of the talk this is a performance now so anyway that’s what I did growing
now so anyway that’s what I did growing
now so anyway that’s what I did growing up and then eventually it seemed like I
up and then eventually it seemed like I
up and then eventually it seemed like I was very happy drawing watching
was very happy drawing watching
was very happy drawing watching television until finally it seemed like
television until finally it seemed like
television until finally it seemed like it was time to either go to Hollywood or
it was time to either go to Hollywood or
it was time to either go to Hollywood or college and I decided to do the more
college and I decided to do the more
college and I decided to do the more practical thing I went to college to get
practical thing I went to college to get
practical thing I went to college to get to get a degree in art a very practical
to get a degree in art a very practical
to get a degree in art a very practical decision so I went to as was said I got
decision so I went to as was said I got
decision so I went to as was said I got my bachelor’s degree and then I came to
my bachelor’s degree and then I came to
my bachelor’s degree and then I came to Chicago and got my master’s degree and
Chicago and got my master’s degree and
Chicago and got my master’s degree and in college and in graduate school I
in college and in graduate school I
in college and in graduate school I really fell in love with art and I mean
really fell in love with art and I mean
really fell in love with art and I mean the whole history of it the theories
the whole history of it the theories
the whole history of it the theories behind it modern art and contemporary
behind it modern art and contemporary
behind it modern art and contemporary art and there I learned all the isms
art and there I learned all the isms
art and there I learned all the isms meaning Abstract Expressionism modernism
meaning Abstract Expressionism modernism
meaning Abstract Expressionism modernism neo Expressionism I could go on and on
neo Expressionism I could go on and on
neo Expressionism I could go on and on and on post-modernism of course and I
and on post-modernism of course and I
and on post-modernism of course and I loved that all that info and I continued
loved that all that info and I continued
loved that all that info and I continued to love that information and I continued
to love that information and I continued
to love that information and I continued to learn about it but I think that’s
to learn about it but I think that’s
to learn about it but I think that’s what private art is I think it is what I
what private art is I think it is what I
what private art is I think it is what I learned in school and what I’ve been
learned in school and what I’ve been
learned in school and what I’ve been teaching for the last 28 years
teaching for the last 28 years
teaching for the last 28 years meaning hey I went to school for six
meaning hey I went to school for six
meaning hey I went to school for six years I’ve been teaching this no problem
years I’ve been teaching this no problem
years I’ve been teaching this no problem with that sort of specialized language
with that sort of specialized language
with that sort of specialized language except all of a sudden when I started to
except all of a sudden when I started to
except all of a sudden when I started to have the opportunity to make public art
have the opportunity to make public art
have the opportunity to make public art I don’t know I began to question that a
I don’t know I began to question that a
I don’t know I began to question that a little bit that maybe there was
little bit that maybe there was
little bit that maybe there was something different between what I call
something different between what I call
something different between what I call private art what I learned in school and
private art what I learned in school and
private art what I learned in school and public art what I was then you know
public art what I was then you know
public art what I was then you know asked to do so in public private art can
asked to do so in public private art can
asked to do so in public private art can be subversive it can be anti esthetical
be subversive it can be anti esthetical
be subversive it can be anti esthetical it can be critical it can be dirty right
it can be critical it can be dirty right
it can be critical it can be dirty right so even I just to give you an example of
so even I just to give you an example of
so even I just to give you an example of something this is a photograph I made in
something this is a photograph I made in
something this is a photograph I made in 1994 it’s life-size and it’s called I
1994 it’s life-size and it’s called I
1994 it’s life-size and it’s called I peed in my pants and
peed in my pants and
peed in my pants and and I did okay and so this is a good
and I did okay and so this is a good
and I did okay and so this is a good example of what I would call maybe
example of what I would call maybe
example of what I would call maybe private art meaning it is art that is
private art meaning it is art that is
private art meaning it is art that is transgressive I don’t want to get into
transgressive I don’t want to get into
transgressive I don’t want to get into too much about what I was thinking about
too much about what I was thinking about
too much about what I was thinking about it’s a very deep psychological piece
it’s a very deep psychological piece
it’s a very deep psychological piece about kind of desire and sort of wanting
about kind of desire and sort of wanting
about kind of desire and sort of wanting approval but being in control of that at
approval but being in control of that at
approval but being in control of that at the same time it’s my transgressive
the same time it’s my transgressive
the same time it’s my transgressive gesture so this is I was thinking about
gesture so this is I was thinking about
gesture so this is I was thinking about a lot of things but I would not call
a lot of things but I would not call
a lot of things but I would not call this public art you know what I mean so
this public art you know what I mean so
this public art you know what I mean so I just want to show that as a kind of an
I just want to show that as a kind of an
I just want to show that as a kind of an example of other stuff that I’ve done so
example of other stuff that I’ve done so
example of other stuff that I’ve done so before I really had this opportunity to
before I really had this opportunity to
before I really had this opportunity to make public art you know I’ve been
make public art you know I’ve been
make public art you know I’ve been making art for 20 years I’ve been
making art for 20 years I’ve been
making art for 20 years I’ve been showing in galleries and museums I know
showing in galleries and museums I know
showing in galleries and museums I know you’re saying wait a minute that’s
you’re saying wait a minute that’s
you’re saying wait a minute that’s public too you go to a gallery or you go
public too you go to a gallery or you go
public too you go to a gallery or you go to a museum you’re going to be
to a museum you’re going to be
to a museum you’re going to be confronted by art you’re going there to
confronted by art you’re going there to
confronted by art you’re going there to be confounded it’s not exactly the same
be confounded it’s not exactly the same
be confounded it’s not exactly the same public art is something you sort of bump
public art is something you sort of bump
public art is something you sort of bump into on your way to work right it’s not
into on your way to work right it’s not
into on your way to work right it’s not a destination it’s actually something
a destination it’s actually something
a destination it’s actually something you encounter bla bla bla
you encounter bla bla bla
you encounter bla bla bla okay so I got this opportunity a little
okay so I got this opportunity a little
okay so I got this opportunity a little over a dozen years ago to make a piece
over a dozen years ago to make a piece
over a dozen years ago to make a piece for Pittsburgh and started thinking
for Pittsburgh and started thinking
for Pittsburgh and started thinking public art that’s a little different you
public art that’s a little different you
public art that’s a little different you know it was intimidating making
know it was intimidating making
know it was intimidating making something that really speaks to an
something that really speaks to an
something that really speaks to an audience and these are not temporary
audience and these are not temporary
audience and these are not temporary pieces these are permanent pieces so I
pieces these are permanent pieces so I
pieces these are permanent pieces so I started to research Chicago’s got a lot
started to research Chicago’s got a lot
started to research Chicago’s got a lot of great public art started looking at a
of great public art started looking at a
of great public art started looking at a lot of the art in Chicago and other
lot of the art in Chicago and other
lot of the art in Chicago and other places and I’m going to say there are
places and I’m going to say there are
places and I’m going to say there are two main categories and this is a gross
two main categories and this is a gross
two main categories and this is a gross generalization but it’s fun for
generalization but it’s fun for
generalization but it’s fun for discussion one category of public art
discussion one category of public art
discussion one category of public art let’s call it the classical heroic
let’s call it the classical heroic
let’s call it the classical heroic sculpture and you know what these are
sculpture and you know what these are
sculpture and you know what these are they’re fairly realistic often bronze
they’re fairly realistic often bronze
they’re fairly realistic often bronze sometimes stone realistic portrait
sometimes stone realistic portrait
sometimes stone realistic portrait statue of a dead white man and there are
statue of a dead white man and there are
statue of a dead white man and there are lots of these around founding fathers
lots of these around founding fathers
lots of these around founding fathers are very popular Illinois there are lots
are very popular Illinois there are lots
are very popular Illinois there are lots of Abraham Lincoln sculptures we all
of Abraham Lincoln sculptures we all
of Abraham Lincoln sculptures we all know that actually a true fact there are
know that actually a true fact there are
know that actually a true fact there are as many Lincoln sculptures in Illinois
as many Lincoln sculptures in Illinois
as many Lincoln sculptures in Illinois as they are
as they are
as they are books coffee that’s a true fact no it’s
books coffee that’s a true fact no it’s
books coffee that’s a true fact no it’s not that’s kiss so anyway but that’s the
not that’s kiss so anyway but that’s the
not that’s kiss so anyway but that’s the genre right and you know that you know
genre right and you know that you know
genre right and you know that you know the it was so quiet I thought you
the it was so quiet I thought you
the it was so quiet I thought you believed and so you know that kind of
believed and so you know that kind of
believed and so you know that kind of sculpture that of course the most famous
sculpture that of course the most famous
sculpture that of course the most famous is the Lincoln Memorial in that genre
is the Lincoln Memorial in that genre
is the Lincoln Memorial in that genre women in this category don’t do quite as
women in this category don’t do quite as
women in this category don’t do quite as well they’re not really real people per
well they’re not really real people per
well they’re not really real people per se they’re more they’re more like
se they’re more they’re more like
se they’re more they’re more like virtues like blind justice or the most
virtues like blind justice or the most
virtues like blind justice or the most famous
famous
famous Statue of Liberty not a real person but
Statue of Liberty not a real person but
Statue of Liberty not a real person but still an icon and you know with all the
still an icon and you know with all the
still an icon and you know with all the problems of those pieces meaning there’s
problems of those pieces meaning there’s
problems of those pieces meaning there’s racism and sexism that’s sort of
racism and sexism that’s sort of
racism and sexism that’s sort of implicit in in part of that history but
implicit in in part of that history but
implicit in in part of that history but I did admire those works ability to
I did admire those works ability to
I did admire those works ability to speak to a wide audience you don’t have
speak to a wide audience you don’t have
speak to a wide audience you don’t have to know anything to experience them and
to know anything to experience them and
to know anything to experience them and heck even the Statue of Liberty tells
heck even the Statue of Liberty tells
heck even the Statue of Liberty tells you what it’s about right on the bottom
you what it’s about right on the bottom
you what it’s about right on the bottom so there’s no mystery the second
so there’s no mystery the second
so there’s no mystery the second category the second category I would
category the second category I would
category the second category I would call the modernist abstraction right and
call the modernist abstraction right and
call the modernist abstraction right and you know what I’m talking about it’s so
you know what I’m talking about it’s so
you know what I’m talking about it’s so radical it’s fabulous everything I’ve
radical it’s fabulous everything I’ve
radical it’s fabulous everything I’ve been talking about is sort of all of
been talking about is sort of all of
been talking about is sort of all of history and then all of a sudden 20th
history and then all of a sudden 20th
history and then all of a sudden 20th century we have modernism and
century we have modernism and
century we have modernism and abstraction and these are the big steel
abstraction and these are the big steel
abstraction and these are the big steel let’s call the heavy metal sculptures
let’s call the heavy metal sculptures
let’s call the heavy metal sculptures steel welded steel you know I’m going to
steel welded steel you know I’m going to
steel welded steel you know I’m going to do impressions of them now they’re like
do impressions of them now they’re like
do impressions of them now they’re like I beams you know a lot of I beams bright
I beams you know a lot of I beams bright
I beams you know a lot of I beams bright colors orange is popular I’m not showing
colors orange is popular I’m not showing
colors orange is popular I’m not showing you these sculptures because you know
you these sculptures because you know
you these sculptures because you know what I’m talking about and this is my
what I’m talking about and this is my
what I’m talking about and this is my TED talk so and I thought as fabulous as
TED talk so and I thought as fabulous as
TED talk so and I thought as fabulous as a lot of that art is and of course I’m
a lot of that art is and of course I’m
a lot of that art is and of course I’m bringing it all together it’s like it’s
bringing it all together it’s like it’s
bringing it all together it’s like it’s even if it was radical at one time
even if it was radical at one time
even if it was radical at one time imagine think of all the sculptures you
imagine think of all the sculptures you
imagine think of all the sculptures you walk past in shopping malls and
walk past in shopping malls and
walk past in shopping malls and libraries and that are these generic
libraries and that are these generic
libraries and that are these generic metal welded steel rocker that it’s just
metal welded steel rocker that it’s just
metal welded steel rocker that it’s just they’re just too many of them they lost
they’re just too many of them they lost
they’re just too many of them they lost the radicality to me so those are the
the radicality to me so those are the
the radicality to me so those are the two categories blah blah blah so finally
two categories blah blah blah so finally
two categories blah blah blah so finally I had my opportunity to make this piece
I had my opportunity to make this piece
I had my opportunity to make this piece in Pittsburgh and I kind of went with
in Pittsburgh and I kind of went with
in Pittsburgh and I kind of went with the classical model but I wasn’t going
the classical model but I wasn’t going
the classical model but I wasn’t going to deal with the figure this is a it’s a
to deal with the figure this is a it’s a
to deal with the figure this is a it’s a little hard to see in the life but this
little hard to see in the life but this
little hard to see in the life but this is a bronze magnolia tree this is a
is a bronze magnolia tree this is a
is a bronze magnolia tree this is a magnolia tree that I sculpted hand
magnolia tree that I sculpted hand
magnolia tree that I sculpted hand sculpted then had a cast and bronze cast
sculpted then had a cast and bronze cast
sculpted then had a cast and bronze cast twice painted realistically and I put it
twice painted realistically and I put it
twice painted realistically and I put it in a little grove of five real magnolia
in a little grove of five real magnolia
in a little grove of five real magnolia trees so so this is a real tree and this
trees so so this is a real tree and this
trees so so this is a real tree and this is any excuse I got it wrong this is the
is any excuse I got it wrong this is the
is any excuse I got it wrong this is the real tree and this is the bronze right
real tree and this is the bronze right
real tree and this is the bronze right so it’s this little fairy tale magic
so it’s this little fairy tale magic
so it’s this little fairy tale magic moment the bronzes matches the real
moment the bronzes matches the real
moment the bronzes matches the real trees for just a couple of weeks out of
trees for just a couple of weeks out of
trees for just a couple of weeks out of the year and then the rest of the time
the year and then the rest of the time
the year and then the rest of the time it’s more of a you know it’s this sort
it’s more of a you know it’s this sort
it’s more of a you know it’s this sort of surprise this is it and winter so
of surprise this is it and winter so
of surprise this is it and winter so those are all bronze that’s just
those are all bronze that’s just
those are all bronze that’s just something I got off the internet it’s a
something I got off the internet it’s a
something I got off the internet it’s a funny which I’m going to talk about that
funny which I’m going to talk about that
funny which I’m going to talk about that in a second it’s a funny thing about
in a second it’s a funny thing about
in a second it’s a funny thing about this piece is that I didn’t really
this piece is that I didn’t really
this piece is that I didn’t really expect is people did kind of walk past
expect is people did kind of walk past
expect is people did kind of walk past it they didn’t necessarily register it
it they didn’t necessarily register it
it they didn’t necessarily register it right away because I think people don’t
right away because I think people don’t
right away because I think people don’t once they think something they stop
once they think something they stop
once they think something they stop looking so they saw these trees thought
looking so they saw these trees thought
looking so they saw these trees thought they were real and kept going so it
they were real and kept going so it
they were real and kept going so it becomes almost like an insider thing
becomes almost like an insider thing
becomes almost like an insider thing after a while or maybe you would
after a while or maybe you would
after a while or maybe you would recognize later that night you’re like
recognize later that night you’re like
recognize later that night you’re like wait a minute
wait a minute
wait a minute it’s winter why is that tree blooming so
it’s winter why is that tree blooming so
it’s winter why is that tree blooming so anyway that was that piece and my next
anyway that was that piece and my next
anyway that was that piece and my next piece I didn’t want people to just walk
piece I didn’t want people to just walk
piece I didn’t want people to just walk by it so this is a piece in Dallas Texas
by it so this is a piece in Dallas Texas
by it so this is a piece in Dallas Texas it’s called I it’s 30 feet in diameter
it’s called I it’s 30 feet in diameter
it’s called I it’s 30 feet in diameter and here I’m going back to nature again
and here I’m going back to nature again
and here I’m going back to nature again but instead of this little fairy tale
but instead of this little fairy tale
but instead of this little fairy tale moment it’s a little more of a nightmare
moment it’s a little more of a nightmare
moment it’s a little more of a nightmare maybe still thinking about nature but
maybe still thinking about nature but
maybe still thinking about nature but instead of nature as this sort of symbol
instead of nature as this sort of symbol
instead of nature as this sort of symbol it’s more about the psychological the
it’s more about the psychological the
it’s more about the psychological the eye is this you know it’s one of the
eye is this you know it’s one of the
eye is this you know it’s one of the most used symbols in the world there’s
most used symbols in the world there’s
most used symbols in the world there’s the Pharaohs eye the eye on the Masonic
the Pharaohs eye the eye on the Masonic
the Pharaohs eye the eye on the Masonic dollar there’s the you know it’s also
dollar there’s the you know it’s also
dollar there’s the you know it’s also just cool it’s a big bloody eyeball it’s
just cool it’s a big bloody eyeball it’s
just cool it’s a big bloody eyeball it’s like I think if you look at my high
like I think if you look at my high
like I think if you look at my high school you know your book or my
school you know your book or my
school you know your book or my uh schoolbooks they probably had you
uh schoolbooks they probably had you
uh schoolbooks they probably had you know flaming eyeballs in the in the
know flaming eyeballs in the in the
know flaming eyeballs in the in the margins you know in ballpoint pen
margins you know in ballpoint pen
margins you know in ballpoint pen there’s people doing me yoga in front of
there’s people doing me yoga in front of
there’s people doing me yoga in front of the eye I also got this off the internet
the eye I also got this off the internet
the eye I also got this off the internet I wanted to say just about that about
I wanted to say just about that about
I wanted to say just about that about that this internet these images because
that this internet these images because
that this internet these images because even though like I’m an old-timey I feel
even though like I’m an old-timey I feel
even though like I’m an old-timey I feel so old here tonight with all this great
so old here tonight with all this great
so old here tonight with all this great technology but so I make these you know
technology but so I make these you know
technology but so I make these you know plop sculptures but I know we live in
plop sculptures but I know we live in
plop sculptures but I know we live in this digital world in this world of
this digital world in this world of
this digital world in this world of communication so one way my works live
communication so one way my works live
communication so one way my works live beyond have a second life is they are
beyond have a second life is they are
beyond have a second life is they are these kind of magnets for selfies you
these kind of magnets for selfies you
these kind of magnets for selfies you know and so if you look at any of these
know and so if you look at any of these
know and so if you look at any of these pieces on Instagram this literally gets
pieces on Instagram this literally gets
pieces on Instagram this literally gets something every week some on and it’s
something every week some on and it’s
something every week some on and it’s been up for a few years this is a piece
been up for a few years this is a piece
been up for a few years this is a piece it’s called Paul this is governor state
it’s called Paul this is governor state
it’s called Paul this is governor state sculpture park just south of here I made
sculpture park just south of here I made
sculpture park just south of here I made this piece short well we had already
this piece short well we had already
this piece short well we had already been in Iraq for a little over a year
been in Iraq for a little over a year
been in Iraq for a little over a year and it was appearing to be wherever
and it was appearing to be wherever
and it was appearing to be wherever there was out there was a feeling that
there was out there was a feeling that
there was out there was a feeling that we were entering a quagmire you know
we were entering a quagmire you know
we were entering a quagmire you know this is not this was not a short shock
this is not this was not a short shock
this is not this was not a short shock and all this was something that was
and all this was something that was
and all this was something that was going to last and of course it has
going to last and of course it has
going to last and of course it has and everybody knows Paul Bunyan it’s a
and everybody knows Paul Bunyan it’s a
and everybody knows Paul Bunyan it’s a you know I use things that are already
you know I use things that are already
you know I use things that are already familiar icons icons so there are lots
familiar icons icons so there are lots
familiar icons icons so there are lots of Paul Bunyan sculptures Paul Bunyan
of Paul Bunyan sculptures Paul Bunyan
of Paul Bunyan sculptures Paul Bunyan he’s usually this young guy broad
he’s usually this young guy broad
he’s usually this young guy broad shoulders you know axe on his shoulder
shoulders you know axe on his shoulder
shoulders you know axe on his shoulder he might have bathed this blue ox his
he might have bathed this blue ox his
he might have bathed this blue ox his buddy with him I just thought what would
buddy with him I just thought what would
buddy with him I just thought what would happen and I always thought of that
happen and I always thought of that
happen and I always thought of that character as a kind of like a figure of
character as a kind of like a figure of
character as a kind of like a figure of manifest destiny or a sense of American
manifest destiny or a sense of American
manifest destiny or a sense of American exceptionalism a symbol of that and I
exceptionalism a symbol of that and I
exceptionalism a symbol of that and I thought what would happen if Paul got a
thought what would happen if Paul got a
thought what would happen if Paul got a little older maybe he had a little
little older maybe he had a little
little older maybe he had a little regret in life maybe he’s worse babe the
regret in life maybe he’s worse babe the
regret in life maybe he’s worse babe the Blue Ox he’s in a funk I don’t know so I
Blue Ox he’s in a funk I don’t know so I
Blue Ox he’s in a funk I don’t know so I thought about you know just giving him
thought about you know just giving him
thought about you know just giving him basically making Paul grow up and he’s
basically making Paul grow up and he’s
basically making Paul grow up and he’s also 30 feet tall you see little figure
also 30 feet tall you see little figure
also 30 feet tall you see little figure there to give it scale I was thinking
there to give it scale I was thinking
there to give it scale I was thinking about I mean it sounds pretentious but
about I mean it sounds pretentious but
about I mean it sounds pretentious but I’m thinking about Michelangelo and King
I’m thinking about Michelangelo and King
I’m thinking about Michelangelo and King Lear
Lear
Lear and and Walt Disney this is called
and and Walt Disney this is called
and and Walt Disney this is called rainbow it’s for Sony it said so I was
rainbow it’s for Sony it said so I was
rainbow it’s for Sony it said so I was invited to do something at Sony
invited to do something at Sony
invited to do something at Sony Entertainment and Culver City Sony
Entertainment and Culver City Sony
Entertainment and Culver City Sony Entertainment is where the old MGM grand
Entertainment is where the old MGM grand
Entertainment is where the old MGM grand studios were so it’s this historic movie
studios were so it’s this historic movie
studios were so it’s this historic movie set or studio a lot it’s where Citizen
set or studio a lot it’s where Citizen
set or studio a lot it’s where Citizen Kane was filmed it’s where gone with the
Kane was filmed it’s where gone with the
Kane was filmed it’s where gone with the wind was filmed and it’s where The
wind was filmed and it’s where The
wind was filmed and it’s where The Wizard of Oz was filmed allow the the
Wizard of Oz was filmed allow the the
Wizard of Oz was filmed allow the the this thing is it’s almost 100 feet tall
this thing is it’s almost 100 feet tall
this thing is it’s almost 100 feet tall by 200 feet wide and it really does
by 200 feet wide and it really does
by 200 feet wide and it really does become kind of an icon for Culver City
become kind of an icon for Culver City
become kind of an icon for Culver City this piece is a little different uh it
this piece is a little different uh it
this piece is a little different uh it operates a little differently I think
operates a little differently I think
operates a little differently I think it’s not as public you know what this is
it’s not as public you know what this is
it’s not as public you know what this is instead of let me see how I can say this
instead of let me see how I can say this
instead of let me see how I can say this instead of making a public work of art
instead of making a public work of art
instead of making a public work of art this is a work that makes art public and
this is a work that makes art public and
this is a work that makes art public and what I mean by that is this is called
what I mean by that is this is called
what I mean by that is this is called the artist Monument and it’s 80 feet by
the artist Monument and it’s 80 feet by
the artist Monument and it’s 80 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet tall and around all
8 feet by 8 feet tall and around all
8 feet by 8 feet tall and around all four sides it is it’s acrylic panels and
four sides it is it’s acrylic panels and
four sides it is it’s acrylic panels and it’s etched with the names of almost
it’s etched with the names of almost
it’s etched with the names of almost 400,000 modern and contemporary artists
400,000 modern and contemporary artists
400,000 modern and contemporary artists so it’s it’s hard to explain it’s in
so it’s it’s hard to explain it’s in
so it’s it’s hard to explain it’s in alphabetical order it’s hard to explain
alphabetical order it’s hard to explain
alphabetical order it’s hard to explain how thorough it is how big that is but
how thorough it is how big that is but
how thorough it is how big that is but we’re in this era of big data so I was
we’re in this era of big data so I was
we’re in this era of big data so I was able to to collect this data in a way
able to to collect this data in a way
able to to collect this data in a way that’s never been able before and so the
that’s never been able before and so the
that’s never been able before and so the most famous you know Picasso Warhol
most famous you know Picasso Warhol
most famous you know Picasso Warhol Georgia O’Keeffe they’re right next to
Georgia O’Keeffe they’re right next to
Georgia O’Keeffe they’re right next to you know Joe Blow who’s never done it
you know Joe Blow who’s never done it
you know Joe Blow who’s never done it who’s had one show 15 years ago at a
who’s had one show 15 years ago at a
who’s had one show 15 years ago at a university gallery they’re in there at
university gallery they’re in there at
university gallery they’re in there at the same you know same point up and it’s
the same you know same point up and it’s
the same you know same point up and it’s been a great piece because people come
been a great piece because people come
been a great piece because people come and it’s you know they come and they
and it’s you know they come and they
and it’s you know they come and they find their relatives or they find
find their relatives or they find
find their relatives or they find themselves on it so obviously I’m
themselves on it so obviously I’m
themselves on it so obviously I’m riffing on something like the Vietnam
riffing on something like the Vietnam
riffing on something like the Vietnam Memorial and other memorials those
Memorial and other memorials those
Memorial and other memorials those pieces usually you know they’re
pieces usually you know they’re
pieces usually you know they’re memorializing a tragedy in a way right
memorializing a tragedy in a way right
memorializing a tragedy in a way right maybe heroic event but still a tragedy I
maybe heroic event but still a tragedy I
maybe heroic event but still a tragedy I thought it’d be interesting
thought it’d be interesting
thought it’d be interesting to memorialize or to make a monument to
to memorialize or to make a monument to
to memorialize or to make a monument to creativity to something I don’t want to
creativity to something I don’t want to
creativity to something I don’t want to say necessarily more positive but
say necessarily more positive but
say necessarily more positive but something different and also it’s I
something different and also it’s I
something different and also it’s I guess why that’s all I want to say just
guess why that’s all I want to say just
guess why that’s all I want to say just to bring art bring art to the public
to bring art bring art to the public
to bring art bring art to the public this is the last piece I’ll show you I
this is the last piece I’ll show you I
this is the last piece I’ll show you I finally had the guts to make something
finally had the guts to make something
finally had the guts to make something figurative and this is a this is going
figurative and this is a this is going
figurative and this is a this is going to this is a piece that’s in progress I
to this is a piece that’s in progress I
to this is a piece that’s in progress I go next week to sort of pitch it to a
go next week to sort of pitch it to a
go next week to sort of pitch it to a it’s a Women’s and Children’s Hospital
it’s a Women’s and Children’s Hospital
it’s a Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Santa Clara and this is going to be a
in Santa Clara and this is going to be a
in Santa Clara and this is going to be a mural not a mural it’s actually going to
mural not a mural it’s actually going to
mural not a mural it’s actually going to be laser-cut and put up on the top of
be laser-cut and put up on the top of
be laser-cut and put up on the top of the building hopefully and you know I’m
the building hopefully and you know I’m
the building hopefully and you know I’m looking I mean a point of this talk or
looking I mean a point of this talk or
looking I mean a point of this talk or these public pieces is that I’m looking
these public pieces is that I’m looking
these public pieces is that I’m looking for
for
for you know even though I’ve had this
you know even though I’ve had this
you know even though I’ve had this specialized language of art in a funny
specialized language of art in a funny
specialized language of art in a funny way my years of watching television were
way my years of watching television were
way my years of watching television were just as informative when I wanted to
just as informative when I wanted to
just as informative when I wanted to speak to a big audience so this is a
speak to a big audience so this is a
speak to a big audience so this is a piece that’s obviously you know riffing
piece that’s obviously you know riffing
piece that’s obviously you know riffing on these heroic battle scenes but here
on these heroic battle scenes but here
on these heroic battle scenes but here I’m making the heroes doctors and nurses
I’m making the heroes doctors and nurses
I’m making the heroes doctors and nurses and orderlies and and they’re in this
and orderlies and and they’re in this
and orderlies and and they’re in this fight with diseases and these are
fight with diseases and these are
fight with diseases and these are actually real like like this here is
actually real like like this here is
actually real like like this here is streptococcus and anyway I tried to be
streptococcus and anyway I tried to be
streptococcus and anyway I tried to be very sort of diverse and and it’s in
very sort of diverse and and it’s in
very sort of diverse and and it’s in this superhero language it’s important
this superhero language it’s important
this superhero language it’s important that the bodies were normal bodies they
that the bodies were normal bodies they
that the bodies were normal bodies they were not pumped up you know superhero
were not pumped up you know superhero
were not pumped up you know superhero bodies it’s funny because I worked with
bodies it’s funny because I worked with
bodies it’s funny because I worked with an illustrator to make this and I kept
an illustrator to make this and I kept
an illustrator to make this and I kept saying like make him a little heavier
saying like make him a little heavier
saying like make him a little heavier could this guy be bald or could you know
could this guy be bald or could you know
could this guy be bald or could you know so anyway it was important that they
so anyway it was important that they
so anyway it was important that they were like real people and that they were
were like real people and that they were
were like real people and that they were in this battle so I don’t know I like I
in this battle so I don’t know I like I
in this battle so I don’t know I like I like its message it’s sort of it’s also
like its message it’s sort of it’s also
like its message it’s sort of it’s also this is a hospital and it’s a place
this is a hospital and it’s a place
this is a hospital and it’s a place where you know people come and they keep
where you know people come and they keep
where you know people come and they keep coming back and forth so unlike the big
coming back and forth so unlike the big
coming back and forth so unlike the big iconic like the big eyeball or the big
iconic like the big eyeball or the big
iconic like the big eyeball or the big rainbow
rainbow
rainbow I wanted something that would sustain
I wanted something that would sustain
I wanted something that would sustain you know looking at it for longer and
you know looking at it for longer and
you know looking at it for longer and longer so that’s part of what my idea
longer so that’s part of what my idea
longer so that’s part of what my idea was okay thank you very much
”
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