Tomor and Matteo

by Kelsey Zalimeni

An encounter with 'Tomor and Matteo' epitomizes the term phenomenological experience. The digital sculpture installation requires the viewer to be active and aware of their own body in the space. Feuerman's choice to install the piece on the floor hearkens to a similar mechanism made famous by minimalist sculptor Carl Andre, forcing the audience to orient themselves about the piece as it occupies the ground they walk on.

'Tomor and Matteo in the Pool', 2010

Oil on Resin, Video Projection, Ceramic Tile, 120 x 96 inches

This piece was part of Carole's 2010 El Paso Museum retrospective exhibition, aptly titled 'Earth Water Air Fire.'  The installation was certainly a highlight of the show, inhabiting its own viewing room complete with a 40-foot high digital projector suspended from the ceiling. The following video features a tour of the El Paso exhibition:

The depicted scene comes from a common, everyday experience, yet there is something ritualistic about the interaction.  Perhaps the very nature of sharing (the pool, the beach ball, a glance) causes the piece to shine as sacred.  This video below offers a glimpse of the installation in depth.

What do you think of Matteo and Tomor? Share thoughts, comments, and questions for Carole below!

Carole's Picks: Janet Echelman

by Kelsey Zalimeni

This post marks the first edition of the 'Carole's Picks' series, a feature which showcases Carole Feuerman's favorite fellow artists and their work.  A new artist will be added to the list each month; the growing roster grants a peek into Carole's personal artistic taste, while introducing readers to great artists from all over the world.

Carole's Pick for this month is Janet Echelman, an American sculptor who creates suspended pieces which reshape urban environments and react to water, sunlight, and wind. Echelman's works are typically exhibited in public metropolitan locations. Her works have been shown in big cities such as Phoenix, Vancouver, NYC, San Francisco, and Porto, Portugal.

No matter where an Echelman piece is installed, it seems to have the same effect on its surrounding area- a mysteriously potent and joyful energy pours out from every edge of the work. Passersby stop to marvel at the ethereal wonder before them, taking pictures to capture those radiant colors floating up above.  However beautiful they might be, the purpose of these sculptures is not merely to decorate a public area; Echelman seeks to emphasize the wonders of nature by constructing her pieces to react to the elements. 

You can learn more about Janet Echelman's work by visiting her website.