Art can be made from everyday materials and serve practical purposes, four local artists told about 75 local residents at a panel discussion Sunday afternoon.
The artists spoke as part of the opening day of their exhibition, “In the Material World” at the Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Rd.
“I spend a lot of time at Home Depot,” said Paul Kass, one of the artists. “Sometimes I just go and walk around. It’s like a palate from which to choose different things.”
For this exhibition, Kass constructed a massive plaster sphere that occupied most of the Art Center’s North Gallery. Despite the simplicity of the design, completing the project was anything but easy for Kass, who had to start over after his original sphere could not maintain its shape.
All four artists stressed the importance of the repetitive, labor-intensive process of making their work.
“There are days when I love this process,” said Paul Sacaridiz, who created a giant chandelier-like work out of red string and hundreds of carpenter plumb bobs dipped in wax. “I’m just a worker. Anyone could do this.”
At least one visitor to the gallery was impressed by Sacaridiz’ work.
“I just think visually it’s a glorious piece,” said Margaret Newman of Des Plaines, Ill. “In my image I see it as a glorious chandelier in a castle somewhere.”
Joan Livingstone used one of her pieces to pay tribute to artist Joseph Beuys, a man who she considers as influential to 20th century art as Andy Warhol, she said. The piece, titled “Illusions of Security,” was created after Sept. 11 and is a response to Beuys’ idea that art can be used to heal.
“Maybe somewhere in the back of my mind I’m thinking, ‘Is that still possible?'” Livingstone said.
John Arndt also attributed some of the inspiration for his work to Beuys, but said he is most influenced by the practical constraints put on him by the fact that he actually uses his art.
Every summer, Arndt goes backpacking in the American West for a couple weeks. When making tarps for his camping trip, Arndt must pick colors that absorb or reflect the right amount of light. The “sense of grandeur” of the West has influenced his work as well, he said.
The discussion proved informative for some audience members.
“I was delighted that there was a lecture,” said Evanston resident Rose Myria. “It’s imperative for me to know an artist’s meaning, background, influences. Now I see purposes and reasons. Now I care and appreciate it as art that’s practical.”
John Brunetti, who was recently made curator of the art center, moderated the discussion. He called the four artists “some of the strongest conceptual artists working in the region today.”
