Art in the City: Maya Lin's Ghost Forest at Madison Square Park

Art in the City is a new series that will be running on the BWAC Buzz from time to time. Do you have a suggestion for an exhibit worth seeing? Let me know.

Artistic genius takes a lot of time and hard work. Maya Lin is well versed in both.

I have a special fondness for trees. I recently completed an animated short CityTREES, part of my Anim8Nature series of short documentaries. So when a friend told me about Maya Lin’s Ghost Forest at Madison Square Park I had to go…immediately. I am a huge fan of Maya Lin’s work. I have visited the Viet Nam Memorial many times and engaged with various of her installations over the years.

Ghost Forest has a lot to unpack. It speaks on so many levels. I am still watching videos, perusing the Madison Square Park website and generally collecting information, but I wanted to put down my reaction the day of my first visit (a number of weeks ago).

Meet BWAC Artist: Laurent Jacquinot

I recently spent a delightful afternoon assisting Laurent Jacquinot as a greeter at the front desk at BWAC. A long time member, as you will read below, he has great skill in encouraging donations as visitors enter. I was learning from the best. 

One of Laurent's contributions to the HereinJamaica project.  Photo Credit: Ariela Kader

 1. Why do you make art?

I don't know. Maybe so that the viewer (hopefully) benefits in some way, as well as for the enjoyment it sometimes brings me.

2. What tools/materials do you find essential in your studio?

I don't have a studio, and the tools and materials that I currently find essential are: paper, a pencil and an eraser. Also, one tool which is technically non-essential but very useful to me is a stump.

3. Where do you find inspiration?

Architectural details and human faces, among other things.

4. How long have you been a member of BWAC and what has been the greatest benefit?

I joined in 2007, and maybe the greatest benefit for me has been the friends I've made there.

5. Please include one image of work you think best represents your creative vision. Why?

Erigove, graphite drawing, 8"x 6"

I've chosen this portrait as it might be my best drawing. Also, it has a delicate quality, which might be an artistic trait of mine.

Meet BWAC Artist: Sandra Forrest

I met Sandy through the BWAC Makers Market. She plays a pivotal role in keeping things humming at the shop that offers a wide variety of artwork and crafts made by members. Sandy's ceramics and mosaics are included in the inventory. I am a new member of BWAC and I am continually impressed with the range of opportunities BWAC offers its members but equally impressed with the folks who step up and play a major role in keeping this ship sailing. Sandy is one of those folks.

Meet Sandra Forrest

                  Lady With a Fan, After Kilimt, ceramic and glass, 24" x 24"

1. Why do I make art? 

Because it makes me happy. Nothing complicated.

2. What tools/materials do you find essential in your studio?

I work with glass primarily so I have to keep the glass organized by color, opacity, and transparency in bins and mason jars. Tools are cutters, a lightbox, and glass grinder. For my ceramics the tools are the usual clay-working tools plus an X-Acto knife, grout in several colors, and a kiln.

Meet BWAC Artist: Gene Dunn

Gene contacted Joe Banish of the Communication Committee about his intervew in Portray magazine. He wanted to know if we could run it on the blog. Joe passed the information on to me. I appreciated the heads up and contacted Gene to see if he would like to participate in my series of artist interviews. The link to the Portray article is at the end of this post with other links to his work and social media. 

As we are rolling out the blog, I am particularly interested in producing series of posts that are similar in style and easily accessible for the reader. I think it adds to the conversation in a short interview to see the artists in context to each other because they are answering the same questions. Do you agree? 

Meet Gene Dunn:

pastel and charcoal on paper, 11x14

Why do you make Art? 

 

I’m not so sure if I’m making something, or if something is making me. That being said I’m fascinated by aiming to be present to some of the more sublime moments I’m experiencing from the subject and expressing it, or get as close as I can to expressing it. It’s a good place for me to put some of my more intense feelings.

Meet Audrey Anastasi: BWAC Artist

I have a story about how I met Audrey. Soon after I moved to Brooklyn two years ago, I met one of my neighbors because I was admiring her dog. Marie was very friendly, the dog too, and we got to chatting. I told her I was an artist and she said her best friend was an artist. Marie took me to meet Audrey in her studio/gallery in Sunset Park. As a collage artist, I have been particularly interested in her work. You never know where a casual conversation will take you.