In the Elysium Expanse (Work in Progress)

 The Elysium Expanse is a piece of art with no end. Within its space, art is whatever you wish to make it. The art is fluid, starting as one thing and merging and changing into another. 

You may ask "why"? What is the purpose? The only purpose is what is seen within the Expanse at any given moment. It can change at the artists whim.

The concept of the Elysium Expanse came from earlier experiments in both Ephemeral and Conceptual art forms, pioneered by the artist. It incorporates both art forms by using permanent and temporary objects to form each piece of art. 

This means that the art is constantly morphing, but is saved at each stage through the use of photography and digital art. Essentially it becomes many pieces of art rather than only one.

As has been noted, the Expanse has already morphed several dozen times when live models were used rather than the current face. 

The line work is real, made from yarn crisscrossed in different patterns throughout the expanse. This means that the art fits the definition of Tumultuism. 

When you begin to incorporate mass mediums and digital art into the work, the combinations are endless.

The Digital Art Challenge

This is a challenge designed by others and created by me. Its a speed challenge, to see how quickly I can create a new piece of digital art. 

The rules are simple. Tell me what is in the empty warehouse below. I'll in turn create it. 

Here are the challenges so far

Challenge #1 from Michelle Mausi

An underwater scene that includes a Lamia

Challenge #2 from Proyecto Itxula

A Slaughterhouse

Challenge #3 from Stacy Stacy

Stained glass windows letting light into a room filled with lichen and overgrowth and a sepulcher for a dead angel - with a corner of it broken and a hand reaching out, but clearly dead

Challenge #4 from M Barden Meece

Mass transit waiting room in December

Challenge #5 from Sandra Sholtz Atwood

Triangle Shirt waist fire- vintage sweatshop with young girls and sewing machines but the girls are ghosts and the room is either burning or a burned out mess.

Challenge #6 Martius Lear

Sideshow

Challenge #7 Alex Brown

Ghosts. Perhaps dancing with moonlight shining through the windows

Challenge #8 Kayla Martin

A Wheatfield

Man machine and nature (David Wright)

A dark carnival, haunted Mardi Gras, voodoo.... something only found in New Orleans hidden away (Laura J Hickman)

Mythical creatures at the last rave on earth? (Landon Dixon)

It's full of dancers writhing and bouncing and trying to find their way back to themselves until their souls catch fire and burst back into the universe it came from. (Rick Hipson)

A single ballerina dancing soulfully in that light would be interesting (Artwiththedragonking)

Ephemeral Sculpting Project

Go to the bottom of the page for most up to date photos.

Build out 4 now available

This is Pablo. He and I are going to do something a bit strange in the art world. I'm going to create an Ephemeral sculpture with him. The sculpture is built without any glue or supports. Its sort of like Jenga. Its built in sections, placed to be balanced. Small pieces of wire may be used to hold something in place temporarily. The objective is to build it with more and more unusual objects until it can hold nothing more.

So whats the point?

The point is to learn more about balance and how like objects can be formed into a single whole. Its meant to show how ephemeral life is, including art. Most important, it shows that not all art must be sold for a profit

Each addition to the sculpture will be posted here.

If you have a strange or unusual object that you'd like me to add to the sculpture, let me know!

The objective isn't to just stack items. Its to create a piece of temporary art that is pleasing to the eye.

So Just what are Constructs? 

Constructs are pieces of art which are formed from individual objects. They may take the form of a sculpture or three dimensional wall art. There are two forms of constructs:

Conceptual: Formed of objects which are connected and create a single piece of permanent art

Ephemeral: Formed of objects which are not connected. The construct is temporary and may last a day or year.

A Little Background

So it all began with Lambchop. A friend had given me a bunch of studio donations and in it was this tiny plush doll of Lambchop the adorable sidekick of Shari Lewis (look it up if you have no clue who they are). Most of the items I put out in our freebie box in front of the house. But I had to keep Lambchop. So when I was cleaning the studio, I had no clue where it should go in an already heaping studio. So I had this ceramic cup of a wild looking middle eastern gentleman. So I decided to put Lambchop in the cup for the moment. Its cute right? I'd find a better spot for it later.

But I kept looking at it, thinking "there is something I'm missing here". This feeling usually means I've got a new creative idea coming on, but it wasn't quite ready to show itself to me.

So I went out to the porch studio and was photographing some sculpture work, when I glanced at a pile of items I'd been putting on a shelf. Some of these I'd had awhile. I also had a very unusual glasswork candle holder I'd just brought up to the front. So what if I put these items on top of the candle holder and arranged them in an unusual pattern. 

Then it hit me! Lambchop was trying to tell me something. These were creative constructs. But not the kind that someone could buy. They were.....hmm....come on Grey its on the tip of your tongue....EMPHEMERAL. They were artistic constructs that may change at any given moments. I suddenly looked around and realized that these were NOT the only ephemeral constructs around me. They were everywhere!

This wasn't by chance. I'd had the habit for years of taking items which I'd purchased for my art and placing them in interesting configurations until I decided I needed them. This helped me not forget that I had the items. Its just that I had never looked at them as art because they were so momentary.

 

They were Ephemeral Constructs and they were all around me. From the selected objects I'd placed on shelves, to objects I'd stacked together because I like looking at them. They all had momentary beauty that would last only a short time before being reconfigured. 

So what could I do with this? These weren't my typical Conceptual Constructs. Those were meant to be static creations that remained once completed. But there must be a way these fit into the pattern of my life as an artist. 

BUILD OUT Day 1

This is challenging because it has to be in complete balance or one addition can topple the whole structure. I've had to rethink some of the pieces I want to add. I've got an idea how to make the structure more solid without using glue. We'll see what might work.

BUILD OUT Day 2

This is teaching me so much about balancing aesthetics and form with fundamental rules of building a structure that can stand on its own without any supports. Its very much like balancing dominoes. If one falls they all fall.

BUILD OUT Day 3 FAIL FAIL FAIL

So Design #1 fails. The whole structure is too wobbly. Objects added to the sculpture fall apart at a rate thats too fast. So I took it apart and I am trying a different design. Lets try Pablo the skeleton in a reclining position and see how things go. Here is the base.

BUILD OUT Day 4

I took some time to examine the new structure and I do find its much more stable than the last. I'm discovering ideas to keep thing solid that I'd never thought of before. So here is the next build out. 

CONCLUSION

I aborted the sculpture at this point for two reasons. The first because of the tight quarters in my studio, I kept knocking the damned piece over. Second because I began work on the Elysiam Expanse project which is technically part Ephemeral. It made sense to take what was learned here and build upon it. 

BEST FRIENDS (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

COME PLAY WITH ME AND I WILL DEVOUR YOUR SOUL (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

SHE WAS A PUZZLING CHILD (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

FEED A FEVER STARVE A SOUL (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

MINNIE PEARL IS BACK FROM THE DEAD AND BOY IS SHE PISSED (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 
 

A PISSED OFF ASIAN DEITY (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

LITTLE RED RIDING HOODS REVENGE (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

HEAR NO EVIL. SPEAK NO EVIL. SEE NO EVIL (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

HIS ONLY FRIEND BEFORE DEATH (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

LEO IN EXTREMIS (Tumultuous Victorian Children)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation. 

PONDERING THE DOOR TO ETERNITY (The World of Tumultuism)

 

 Tumultuous Art (Tumultuism) - A theory of art which is disorderly, fractured and dreamlike in its presentation. It may exhibit a confused state, akin to looking through a piece of fractured glass at the subject of the art, similar to an acid trip or lucid dreaming. The subjects are often out of focus. It sometimes exhibits a similarity to cubist art, but is not always about strait lines to view and interpret the subject through. The form is determined by the Abstraction Point. This is the point where the subject goes from a recognizable state to a state of total anarchy and abstraction. This is also part of the attraction of Tumultuous art because viewing close up to the image it breaks apart into an abstraction. The further back you step the more the subject of the art jumps out. The concept also utilizes the artists theories in "harmonic Dissonance". Where many layers signifying different levels of color, texture and design are brought together in harmony. Tumultuism may also include strictly monochromatic art where color is totally removed from the equation.