Oceanside Museum of Art Must Sees

There are two very specific artists whose works are leaving next month and I just couldn't miss them- Melissa Meier's Becoming Nature and Robert Xavier Burden's Relics. I am beyond excited to share them with you and encourage anyone who can get to Oceanside Museum of Art to go!

Becoming Nature is prefaced by Melissa Meier, “I'm continuously inspired by the beauty of the organic materials I use–the colors, textures, patterns and shapes–and it’s this sense of naturalistic wonder that drives my creative process. Whether I’m working with grains of rice, stalks of lavender, or pine cones, I find each and every wearable construction to be uniquely moving. It’s as if I’ve become a part of the material, taking on a meditative state as I repurpose what is already incredibly beautiful in its own right. My goal is for my audience to take on this same sense of wonder as they look at familiar, natural objects in unfamiliar ways. I want viewers to experience nature through a new lens - and to become a part of it.”

Ms. Meier was completely successful with her goal. How could I not look at familiar, natural objects in unfamiliar ways when her creativity is right before me?

With many of the pieces, the photographic proof of their wearability added another layer to the experience. Wow!

The nature was so vibrant and alive, this piece, constructed with moss, had to be watered.

More about the woman behind the creations. "Brazilian artist Melissa Meier is internationally recognized for her evocative 3-dimensional installations, found-object sculptures, collages and photography. In her current series SKINS (from which this Sunflower Seed Dress and Headdress come), Meier has created sculptural clothing hybrids, utilizing natural materials such as leaves, stones, fur, eggshells, wheat, crystals, scales, sticks, feathers, and shells."

I was very taken with Quills Headdress and Chest Piece, and its statement, "This construction was made with naturally shed porcupine quills. Porcupines were not harmed in the making of this artwork."

Looking at this dress, from a distance, can you guess what natural ingredients are being utilized?

The entire piece was formed with pistachio shells. The museum docent shared that the artist's husband was "luckily a fan of pistachios".

This was an ensemble that I could totally see myself wearing.

Meier states, “At first I was inspired by the legends of indigenous people and how they used the skins of animals to transform into them, creating a bridge between the human and animal worlds. But as my work matured, I became equally interested in the future of fashion as an extreme form of kinetic sculpture.”

"Inspired by Brazilian Carnival and Native American skin-walkers, her wearable constructions blend female empowerment with a self-created mythology, developed around the idea of ancient cultures of female warriors, exemplifying strength, beauty and unity of life lived in harmony with the elements. Her warrior women are breathtakingly sensual, while radiating a searing combination of purity and power."

This piece, made entirely of rice, is mind-boggling. As one who has tried to create art with glue, it is almost incomprehensible as to how these works are crafted.

"This is where the work creates a bridge to the present and allows us to connect with and find ourselves reflected in her images of hidden, treasured cultures, heroines and spirit guides, imagined and real."

And because I'm such an Italophile, this pasta outfit really called my name.

Next was the diverse and incredibly talented artist Robert Xavier Burden who shares, “In 2006 I began a series of large-scale oil paintings depicting the small action figures that I played with as a boy. Initially these figures were set against fabric, wallpaper, and rug patterns from my childhood home. Over the years the decorative motifs have become more complex and derived from historical references, often incorporating toys from various generations, but the motivation behind the work remains the same. I am inspired by the amorphous line that is drawn between imagination and reality, childhood wonder and adult practicality, and the ineffability of what can turn a piece of plastic into an almost talismanic object."

What made the entire visit almost surreal is that Mr. Burden was there, painting his current work, The Alien Painting. He was patient and answered many questions that left us even more intrigued by his work.

I asked about 'easter eggs', those hidden objects artists hide within their works. His is the homage to M. C. Escher with the image of his own self, painting, in the above left corner.

I know my boys would love The 20th Century Space Opera. "This painting took over 2000 hours spread out over 18 months. It depicts nearly 160 different vintage Star Wars action figures (mostly from the original trilogy). It also includes toys and icons that are said to have influenced the Star Wars Universe. The decorative motif was inspired by Persian and Moroccan rugs, eastern mandalas, illuminated manuscripts, gothic stained glass, French tapestry motifs, and invented designs." Putting Leslie in the image gives you an idea of the grandness of Mr. Burden's pieces.

Some made me laugh, Rudolph Reliquary has built within it, a shadowbox which contains the actual skull of Rudolph. I know it's true. I have the photo to prove it.

According to the description next to this wonderful piece, the artist wrote, "The Battle Cat was the first giant toy painting that I made back in 2006. It was the painting that started all of this absurdity."

I wish we had more time to study The Battle For The Arctic.

"This painting depicts over 140 different toys related to the Arctic, snowy worlds, or one of the five countries that are currently vying for control of arctic territory: Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), and America. The painting also depicts a number of taxidermized arctic animals, as well as a political/royal representative for each country: Queen Elizabeth for Canada; Vladimir Putin for Russia (below with no shirt on); Prince Frederick for Denmark; Prince Haakon for Norway; and William H. Seward (the man who brokered the purchase for Alaska) for the USA. Centered in front of each flag is a superhero for their respective countries. Lego is a Danish company, and Denmark has a claim to the arctic through Greenland, so their representative is a Lego Greenland-tern. The painting took over 2100 hours spread out over four years."

"The Ape Painting took approximately 1400 hours of studio time spread out over two years. It depicts Charles, the iconic silverback gorilla of the Toronto Zoo, surrounded by over 70 different ape-related toys from various generations of pop culture. The pattern is primarily influenced by Gothic stained glass windows." Don't you love the descriptions? Wow.

Mr. Burden said of his work, "There is an obvious irony in spending thousands of hours to create a single painting that glorifies a cheap, mass-produced toy. And while that irony could reflect issues of commodity fetishism, consumer addiction, Peter Pan Syndrome or even shallow idolatry, I want these paintings to represent something positive in my life. Although it was sheltered and naïve, there was a freedom in my childhood. It was free from the politics of race and sex and religion. It was free from the weight of history. It was free from rhetoric and paranoia, shame and regret, cynicism and despair. There is nothing profound about commenting on the minor tragedy of losing one's innocence, or the struggle to maintain one's idealism. I just want to renew my faded sense of awe.” Seeing these paintings and meeting the artist, my faded sense of awe is thoroughly renewed. Thank you!

Dinner was had at the Sunset Market. Oh man! Oceanside possesses some amazing treasures.

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1 comments:

Four Points Bulletin said...: Such an interesting exhibit. So surreal. I noticed on the OMA website they aren't doing Free Friday Music, now it is Free Art Sunday. I mean, that will be fun too. But I LOVED Free Friday... I can't help but be a little bummed.; June 8, 2023 at 7:18 AM

HAERR TRIPPIN'

Oceanside Museum of Art Must Sees

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