It was great for so many reasons. Seeing so much top notch art in one place was really wonderful. The Seattle Deign Center had a particularly great assorment of shows under the same roof. It was the first time I saw the work of Christina Cordova, Erin Furmisky, Jason Briggs, Christina Antemann, Deborah Schartzkopf to name a few. There is no substitute for seeing ceramics in person, soo much is lost in pictures. The idiosyncracies of the glaze on the Christina Cordova's sculpture in A Show of Heads is quite simply, magic and I'm glad I could experience that first hand.
The lectures were very informative but one stood out above the others. Panel: Distillations and Eruptions: Installation Today was not only informative but inspirational. In particular, Beth Sellars curatorial work at Suyama Space. Slide after slide, I was intriqued, enthrauled, and inspired. Only one of the artists shown made ceramic work, the rest were mixed media artists utlizing such experimental materials as: river rocks, hot glue, string, pvc pipe, and steel spikes to build the core of their work. Each artist not only presented innovative, conceptual work but owned the space with power, simplicity, and elegance. Qualities I not only admire in the work of others, but also strive for in my own. I was so impressed with what I saw that I took a pilgrimage of sorts to this place that seemed to speak to me, and it did not disappiont. (I think it deserves its own post, so more details and pics will come).
At the Foster White Gallery, I had the chance of seeing an instillation by Shay Church, a fellow San Jose State alum.
I also got the chance to check out the ceramics studio at University of Washington, and talked to the lab tech there. I've been grad school shopping for some time and thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to check them out. After looking around, I was particularly impressed with the 3D emphasis. The inclusion of glass and sculpture as essentially part of the same larger studio fostered use of multiple materials and that was evident in the student work I saw.
Overall, (besides the constant rain which I guess is to be expected) I had a great time, and look forward to next year in Houston, Texas.
