Linda Swanson Installation Workshop

Linda Swanson's Bugs 

I have just returned from a very informative workshop in Hays, Kansas at Fort Hays State University with Linda Swanson on Installations. Linda's Bio from her website, www.LindaSwansonStudio.com explains little bit about her approach to raw clay and installations: "Linda Swanson is an artist whose interests are grounded in the metamorphic nature of ceramic materials and processes. Her work engages the enigmatic properties of matter at an elemental level and the capacity of wonder to question how and what we know. Her raw and kiln fired ceramic works have been exhibited around the United States, Canada and in France. " Her work blew me away and I don't think I will ever be the same after this workshop.

Linda had us begin with clay powders and explore the results of water  making contact with it. It was our choice of how this experiment would work.

I dripped water from all heights and watched as the powders puffed out and how the water reacted and seemed to cluster up. 

We left our clay boards all afternoon to watch the changes to the materials as the water dried and what had become of the powders.

We watched videos and slides on artists who make these types of installations for a living.

Phoebe Cummings https://youtu.be/lYdgiyyRVXg

Walter McConnel https://youtu.be/3YmHdWyiNpM

Shay Church https://vimeo.com/41928309

Claire Twomey https://vimeo.com/62861350

Reclaimed http://www.one-wall-gallery.com/

Charles Simmonds video

http://www.charles-simonds.com/myth/dwellings1972full/Resources/dwellings1972full.mov

Anders Ruhwald

http://channel.louisiana.dk/video/

We were then tasked with finding a partner and a space to create our own clay installation. In the vein of Phoebe Cummings, my partner and I decided to make sprig molds of the leaves found in the courtyard of the school.

plaster poured in sprig molds

 We then found our location where the magic would happen- the concrete wall outside of the kiln room.

Beginning of "Descent Installation"

 For Two days we made leaves and affixed them to the wall in a falling pattern.

close up

 Here is our final outcome. The other installations were a treat to experience also. Placement was the key in this process for me.  Just by moving one leaf to the floor changed the viewing experience. It just goes to show that everything has its place and if done well will pose interesting questions and present intriguing thoughts.

Final presentation