Artist Statement

My work is part of a growing dialogue of artists exploring the possibilities of experiential art. Experiments with latex balloons as an alternative medium has evolved into massive forms akin to painting in the spontaneity with which they manifest yet rooted in the language of sculpture.

I continue to explore other materials and processes as a means of artistic expression. My approach is a traditional studio practice of exploring the potency of a material in a state which it can be perceived as both extraordinary yet simple.

Inspired by the iconic sculptures and mobiles of past masters and fueled by curiosity, each of my works is an expression in the evolving language of sculpture.

Venus

Here are some images from my most recent installation at The New Children's Museum in San Diego.

The title of the piece is Venus. It's three stories tall and will be on view at NCM until August.

It was great to be back working with artists who are on staff at NCM. Thanks everyone for all your help, and good luck J, who's last day was during my visit. Hope we can work together in the future.

Stay tuned for the video.

Thanks Oklahoma City. I love you.

It was a fantastic experience in Oklahoma City making Cocoon. Here is a list of the kick ass artists and people I want to thank for their help.
Thanks:

Clint Stone, Director of Exhibits OK City Arts Centerhttp://www.cityartscenter.org/
Mary Ann Potter
Kristin Richter
Candace Coker
Kolbe Roper
Barney Karper karperelectronics.net
Kelsey Karper
Chad Mount http://chadmount.com/blog/
Jackie Mania
Lynna Schneider
April Vega
Heather McHeather
Moses White
Brooke Rowlands
Britni Kidwel
Louisa McCune-Elmore
Julia Kirk Director of Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
Thank you Christian Keesee, Oklahoma City Five Star Art General.
Thanks to my new friend, Eric Dawson, The Toast of OKC.
Special Thanks to Romy Owens my bff and all around Awesome person. Go see her amazing work at the Capital building NOW.
www.romyowens.com
Check out the video MEGALIPS featuring Black Joe Lewis "Gunpowder"
Worn by Heather McHeather, Lynna Schneider, and April Vega. You girls got moves!

Cocoon. Oklahoma City Arts Center Apr 23-May 22

I had a great time making Cocoon. Thanks to the talented artists who volunteered. Your help made it possible. A big thanks to all of the kind people who made me feel so at home. I found Oklahoma City alive and inviting which made me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Very special thanks to Romy Owens for being awesome!
RomyOwens.com
And to Adam Cremona for producing the Cicada Sound.
www.boutiquerecordings.com

A Conversation With The Diety

This Friday night I will perform A Conversation With The Deity at the McNeill Art Group Tribeca Project Space at 143 Reade St. NY NY

Opening Friday, March 12 at 6:00pm

Performance from 7-8

End Time: Friday, March 12 at 9:00pm

Agartha By Brian Lockhart. Brian Lockhart Photography

Check out some of the fantastic photos of Agartha at The New Children's Museum in San Diego, taken by Brian Lockhart. Brian Lockhart Photography.

Here is a link to a kick ass slideshow.

The Tide of Poseidon

I had a great time working on Tide at Harper College. Thanks to Jason, Paul, Vicki, Kaleigh, Christina, Nick, Sandy, Angie, and Morgan, and Perry, for helping out. Thanks to Qualatex. Here are some pics and a link to the video featuring the song Torch by Pinback.
Video Link

Agartha

It was a fantastic week of hard work at The New Children's Museum in San Diego. Thanks to Leah, Alina, Van, Scott, and Kate, for all their help inflating balloons and working so tirelessly on the sculptures.
Agartha will be up for at least two months. If you have the chance to, I recommend seeing it in person. It turned out beautifully! Thanks to Julie and Qualatex balloons.

I had a great time making sculpture in Los Angeles at the Natural History Museum. Thanks Karen and everyone who helped out. Here is a video highlighting the event.

New Orleans New Year

It's been months since my last blog post. I guess I'm a bad blogger. But something interesting is happening and I wanted to share it.
These are pics of some beautiful buildings here. I'd love to turn one of these into an artist residency studio building.

Greetings from Grand Rapids

I’ve been in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a week now and have made real progress getting my wearable sculptures made and meeting lots of people. Last Sunday I went to a big church picnic. The night before that there was a little street art fair in downtown where I met a number of local artists. I also became friends with Dan and Lisa, the owners of The Cottage Inn. It is an old pub that I think is awesome. Lisa was so sweet she introduced me to the entire place after the band took a break. I was running around twisting lots of balloon hats.
This week was mostly up early and working late. Romy Owens and Luke Homitsky who are here helping me here look as exhausted as me.
Tomorrow is Friday and we will be playing some of the sculptures downtown at a pre-registration event that will be going on all day in a little park a few blocks from my venue, The UICA. I have recruited some attractive young people who are going to come out and get in the sculptures for us.
I expect to have some great pics of all of that on here by Saturday.
Thanks to those of you who bought a print. Those of you still waiting, keep in mind, after October 10 the price goes to $600.

Check out the flicky movies Romy is making each day.

Flicky Movies on Vimeo

PURCHASE PRINTS

Hello Friends,

I want to urge you all to take a look at my Limited Edition Prints on my website. I am offering beautiful signed and numbered prints for only 125 until ArtPrize is over. After ArtPrize they will go back to $600 if there are any left. If you are able, please click on the Purchase Prints and get one through PayPal.

The whole idea is to raise money for us here in Grand Rapids for things like food, gas, supplies, and things that just add up. Please don't wait, go now! Thanks

In Progress

Today was an early call time. We had to be at the UICA at 730 to be interviewed by Emily Richett at the local Fox News affiliate. After the interview we worked all day on the second wearable sculpture. Romy took a time lapse video of it's construction and you can see Luke moving around in frame taking video and pictures.

So far things are going well over all. We are staying at the Vant Hoff residence. Barbara and Bill have been super great and the house is very nice and comfortable. Thanks Barb and Bill!

At this point is is imperative that I sell some limited edition prints from my website. We still have a few weeks to go and we are dangerously low on funds.

The prints are on my Purchase Prints page and can be gotten for only 125 plus tax. After the 10th of October the prints will be 600. So please get them now while they are such a great deal!

To Vote For Jason Hackenwerth

Planning

Today I will pick up Romy from the airport. It will be great to have her here. There is much planning and work to be done and she is no slacker.
Some of the things we will be working out is exactly where and when we will be doing performances and appearances out in public. There are many targets to choose from and I want to make it to as many as possible.
In order to do this I will be borrowing or renting a box truck to move the sculptures around and looking for a handful of young people to get in the sculptures.
Get in touch if you want to participate in the Megamite Army. And for all of you who are able, please don't wait, go to my website and purchase a print. We are running on fumes here and need your help the most.

Grand Rapids Arrival

After months of planning I have finally arrived in Grand Rapids where I will make my bid for the ArtPrize. Luke Homitsky flew out with me so he can get video footage of every possible aspect of this project.
When we first arrived we took a cab to Fox Ford where they let me borrow a beautiful black Mustang convertible. In exchange for this fantastic transportation for a month, I have agreed to spend the weekend of Oct 1st creating sculptures at their dealership and doing a performance. I will post more info about that in the next few days.
After picking up the car, we went to Barbara Vant Hoff's house. She and her husband Bill are putting my crew and me up for the duration. The place is wonderful and she greeted us with a delicious steak dinner.
Thanks Barb, and Thanks Pete at Fox Ford.
Here are some pics. Pictured are: Me, Luke, me and Steve Samson at UICA, and the car in front of Barb's house and the UICA.
Weee.

Goodbye 5 Points

Last week I packed and moved my studio from the Crane Street building AKA 5 Points into storage until I finish a long run of projects on the road that will keep me busy until April or May of next year.

I will miss all of my friends and neighbors at the building. It really feels like the end of a era.
The building attracted people from all over with its fantastic graffiti and talented artists. It seemed like there was always something going on.
Well wishes to Nicole Gagne, who was hurt in the collapse which triggered the buildings close.
Here is a link to the article.

The next few weeks will be spent making the final preparations for ArtPrize, and my up-coming shows at The New Children's Museum, in San Diego OCT 10, and at The Skybox at 2424 Studios in Philadelphia OCT 30.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2409309568_ae0ac42e6b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.liqcity.com/neighborhood/5pointz-stairwell-collapse-severely-injures-woman-building-neglect-cited&h=375&w=500&sz=179&tbnid=V52Rhy_1LyfHyM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnicole%2Bgagne&hl=en&usg=__CBiMk9sFJT4YTitu9SC60jrfRhI=&ei=b_ySSoeiK9KYlAfyz4isDA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=6&ct=image
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/nyregion/19pointz.html

The Fun Factory

There is much work to be done this August. As I am pulling the pieces together for ArtPrize, I must also move out of my studio. It feels like the end of an era at The Fun Factory. Here are some pics that Romy Owens took at the Great Caper party. Look how awesome this place was.