Thursday, September 11, 2008

Final draft…still kissing butt

Alvarado Gallerey Proposal


I am a materials based artist working out of the Monterey Bay Area. The concept behind my proposal to exhibit at the Alvarado Gallery is founded on celebration and investigation. My goal is to create a space that is not only available for the viewing of art objects but also to encourage the viewer to expand the means by which they observe abstract forms. This alternative way of looking is inspired by the aesthetics of the Monterey Peninsula. My aim is to equip viewers with openness to innovative concepts of beauty through their observations and interactions with my organic forms, and then take those ideas with them while experiencing the natural beauty of the Monterey Peninsula.

I use materials found typically in the home or in industry in an effort to create an atmosphere where viewers feel comfortable looking at uncommon, abstract forms. While these forms remain abstract they have the uncanny ability to resemble the organic forms seen in nature—more specifically off the coast of Monterey Bay. One Wind is a 15 foot by 6 foot sculpture made entirely out of hot glue that can either be hung from the ceiling, transforming the gallery space into a tranquil observatory, or from the wall making the piece itself seem more akin to a specimen.

While my work is inspired by forms found off the coast, each individual piece begins with a story. I am an artist interested in the individual narratives of the lay-person. Something Juana Said is a piece that resembles a creature from the outer bay or the rolling hills of the Salinas Valley, but its concept is rooted in my friendship with a Hispanic migrant worker named Juana; I Put Her on the Shelf is a piece that draws upon the story of the death of a childhood friend.

Like author John Steinbeck, I am interested in the metanarrative created by an amalgamation of private histories. Through the investigations and exploration of these different stories along with the simultaneously familiar and abstract forms I create, I believe that the Alvarado Gallery is the perfect location to create a transformative and celebratory viewing experience.

6 comments:

Libby said...

I appreciate your willingness and ability to adapt past and present pieces to a similar theme.

J.R. Uretsky said...

I appreciate your face.

no seriously love bucket thank you...I am trying to get to the northwest...asap...just thought you should know.

lauren mcconnablah said...

I feel that you have hit the nail on the head.


Something about the writing seems to put your work into clarity. I think I even like the way you have described your work here better than your senior show's artist statement. Can I say that?

your writing is getting better.

J.R. Uretsky said...

thanks lauren, I have been working on it!

and you can say that because I didn't really have an artist statement for my Sr show.

Sydney said...

amen to it all.

this is the perfect example of making, making, making and then gaining some perspective/distance which then enables you to give all your pieces a cohesive history.....yes.

and it is all very well written-but are there going to be "" around the titles of the work?

J.R. Uretsky said...

I think the actual sent (thats right I sent the fucker) ...(I don't know why I said that)...(oh yeah I do, because I cannot believe I actually sent) paper had italics.