Tub Practice

So as I mentioned, I was going to practice for the tub shoot this weekend, but there were some problems, and now I need to borrow someone else's tub.

Problem one was that the pilot in the hot water heater went out. It took a while to figure out why the water was luke, and then to light it. I then waited a couple hours for it to heat up.

After filling up the tub and getting in I was practicing submerging and I realized I would need some kind of plug in my nose because water was getting up it and I thought it would be worse with milk. I went to Michael's studio to look for ear plugs to see if those would work without deforming my nostrils, when there was a knock at the door.

I wanted to ignore it because I was in a towel, but then another knock. And I thought for some reason it could be about the tub full of water. And it was! They guy down stairs said water was coming through his light fixture in his bathroom! I quickly got dressed and went down to his unit to see the globe of his light fixture full of water! I helped him take it down so it could dry out and it seems that there will be no damage to his unit. But I guess the overflow in my tub is not connected to the drain! Thank god that wasn't milk dripping down to his apartment!

So now I need to use a deeper tub or a tub with a functioning overflow. I will have to call my friends....

Research and Searching

Researching for art is sometimes funny.

My next task today, after taking care much teaching paper work and what not, is to research for the video I'll be making this weekend.

I'll take a bath.

I need to take a bath to determine how much water I'll need and to practice my moves.

On Saturday with the help of my friend Tesia I will make a video of my face sinking and emerging from a white opaque liquid to take a breath. Its like a video version of my piece Breathe . I figured the best way to accomplish this would be in my bath tub. Yesterday I bought three boxes of powdered milk, enough to make 15 gallons of fat free reconsituted milk. Tesia will bring a light kit from school and her video skills, and at times we will both be in the tub of milk in my bathroom. She will need to stand in it to get an over head shot. I hope it turns out well.

I am making this video for my upcoming solo show at Northeastern Illinois University Gallery for this summer. I will show this new video, Breathe, and reconfiguration of Sentient and a few other new things. The show is called White Moment.

I am searching for mirrors for this show. I'd like to collect many mirrors of any rectangle or square size, with any frame or no frame, but I can't seem to find any at the thrift stores...

Wasted Time Wakes Up

The new year is off to a great start.

I am so busy.

After reading "The Evolving Self", I was really inspired to implement many of its ideas into my life, basically that a busy, intellectually challenged person is a happy person. Here are some of the things that I am doing to stay not just busy, but engaged in things that I are inspiring, challenging, and that I like to do.

- I am teaching three classes at two different schools. I am teaching two sections of Sculpture 1 at Loyola again this semester, and I am up grading some of the tools in the shop there too. I am teaching for the first time, General Drawing at Wright College, one of The Chicago City Colleges. Teaching at a new school has many obstacles of getting oriented, and teaching a new class has many curriculum needs. I have to build the whole class in a way that makes sense to me so that it will make sense to the students. I am reading "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", as a refresher. I also, for the first time, I ordered a free desk copy of a book recommended by a colleague. As a teacher I can request relevant texts for free from the publisher to review as optional text to offer in my courses. The book I ordered is "Drawing, A Contemporary Approach."

So I am technically teaching full time. Its been a long time now since I worked full time. And balancing all the different needs of different classes and institutions offers its own challenges.

- I bought a new sketchbook. 8x11", hardcover black. I love the bigger size. I had been using the trendy moleskin model, but it really doesn't work for me. I need a bigger book to paste things into. This alone has radically awakened some sleeping creativity.

- I started building the walls at my studio. I took this long weekend to get the project underway, and thanks to Michael's help I am more then 1/2 way there! These walls are going to help me so much, return to the installation practice that is really the foundation of my work and thinking.

- I am reading a really inspiring book, "Buddha Mind in Contemporary Art"

- I am watching almost no TV, and no network TV.

- Michael and I are following our New Years resolution to cook new recipes together at least once a week.

- I am meditating everyday, and meeting with my meditation instructor regularly. Meditation is not only good for me in terms of my mood or disposition, but it also leaves my mind loose, ply able and open. The fertile ground for new problems to be come new art.

So even though work is at times over whelming, I am trying to maintain time for my art and research, as well as a small social life, and a pleasant marriage. Balancing these things has been wonderful so far.

I am sorry.

Recently I accidentally did not conceal my emailing list, when I sent out an announcement for the White Balloon performance, and someone (ian_mclaughlin8@yahoo.com) must have taken the liberty of "replying to all" on that email, which included the email address for this blog. So he directly emailed and posted to this blog, which I (foolishly) had email set to auto post. So sorry to anyone who read his posts or got his emails.

I am always learning something new, the hard way.

Maybe?

White Balloon Performance in Method to Maddness @ Links Hall

I have been working with Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks to create a set for her performance in Method to Madness which happens this weekend, hope you can make it.

LINKS HALL PRESENTS Method to Madness:
A Festival of puppetry, performance, film, & sound
Curated by Links Hall Artistic Associate Kate Sheehy

Throughout January, we explore the theme of Method to Madness. This multi-disciplinary festival includes puppetry, performance, film, and sound. Each week, artists investigate the process of their creative practice, offering a behind-the-scenes exploration of the catalogs, regimen, recipes, and obsessions that make them go.

Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks
White Balloon
This butoh dance is about a girl's awkward journey to catch a white balloon. Organic movement is explored by the performer and influenced by the movement of the balloon. Butoh, also known as "dance of darkness," is a postmodern form that began in Japan as an effort to recover the primal body. Installation Artist: Renee Prisble Una, Composer: Ika.Komura. www.myspace.com/wannadanceland

Friday & Saturday, January 11 & 12, 8pm
Sunday, January 13, 7pm
$12 ($10 students, seniors)

Advance registration strongly recommended: 773.281.0824 or info@linkshall.org

--
una-love.com/renee

Happiness

Studio Stability

I talked to the landlords of my studio in their basement yesterday. They seem pleased that I want to stay, and may even contribute to constructing a wall. But I will be getting more space there, building a wall and maybe even a door. It seems that all studios have different limitations, and I can deal best with the limitations of this basement studio. Hopefully it never floods!