Protest Project Beginnings

For the protest project, there is a particular problem I have with the way in which educators are reacting against Walker. It has been popularized to walk-out of schools in protest of the budget bill. In my opinion, this is completely unacceptable. Teachers walking out on their students. What a thought. If they are such strong advocates for education, what makes them think that it would be at all appropriate for them to abandon what they stand for? This concept is just completely backwards to me. I understand that people are angry and feel that they deserve their rights. I do not understand how they think that walking out on innocent students will solve anything. By walking out, teachers are targeting the wrong group of people. These walk-outs have an extremely negative impact on students. There are many other constructive ways to prove a point.

I have heard stories of teachers walking out, but bringing their students with. This is also so very wrong, in my opinion. If they are younger students, they do not understand what they are taking part in. These students are left without a choice, but to follow their teacher's directions. I can only imagine how furious some parents must be. In schools that have older students attending, they may feel pressured to partake in the walk-outs. It is possible that these students are also being fed very biased information. This is an abuse of power.

The inappropriate actions of educators will be the driving force behind my project.

Invasive: A Series of Ink Drawings

The series I have created for the mapping project includes various themes, which are based on conflict. Nature versus humanity, familiar versus foreign, and organic versus graphic are all conflicting themes in this series. Through these concepts, I have achieved an overall theme of mapping with the utilization of Photoshop alterations in maps created by the Department of Natural Resources. I have altered the maps with physical mark making to suggest a transformed physical form. I have altered the outline, shape, and form of these lakes to represent the physical characteristics of exotic species that are taking over Minnesota waters, as a result of the detrimental forces of humanity. My intent was to take the existing lake maps, which are utilized by fishermen, and change them into what they are figuratively becoming - exotic. Since the ecosystem is changing as a result of invasive species, the entireties of lakes are changing.

The concept of nature versus humanity is present in the sense that these drawings represent natural bodies of surface water, while the outlines of the lake maps are taking on the shape of their new exotic inhabitants. These exotic species represented are a current problem in the bodies of water in Minnesota, The Land of 10,000 Lakes. Humanity is to blame for the introduction of these invasive species, as they are often transported by boat. Invasive species may also be introduced as a result of domestic purposes, such as aquariums and gardens. Exotic species can sometimes be introduced with intent of fishing purposes for private parties. Regardless of whether the species were introduced purposefully or accidentally, this is a serious problem. Exotic species affect the ecosystem by preying on food that the native species would otherwise. This can result in scarcity of food, and be detrimental to the population of species in which they may prey on. Breeding becomes a problem when exotic species alter the native gene pool. Exotic parasites can be introduced when invasive species arrive in foreign waters.

The familiar versus the foreign is conceptualized through the idea of exotic wildlife within recognizable, well-known bodies of water. This is where the art becomes personal. The lake maps in which I have altered are all representations of lakes that are invaluable to my life and my childhood. These particular lakes may be at risk of exotic inhabitants, if they are not already, which may be detrimental to the ecosystem. When the ecosystem changes, the lakes may become unrecognizable and foreign to the previous occurrences of the ecosystem. The exotic species may essentially take over the lake that they newly inhabit, which is literally portrayed in this series. The lakes that nature and humanity once knew and cherished may become a foreign and unfamiliar territory. Luckily, the Department of Natural Resources plays a big role in conservation and preservation of Minnesota lakes. They make humanity aware of the threats of contamination via the transportation boats and trailers. There are sings and postings available to educate the public, as well as brochures and websites in their efforts to conserve these natural resources.

Graphic and organic are some physical characteristics that feed off of one another within these compositions. Lakes and surface water are fluid, free-forming shapes on the earth’s surface. They are, by nature, organic. When the Department of Natural Resources documented and mapped Minnesotan lakes, they took on a graphic quality. The lakes were drawn out onto grids and became very structured and geometric on paper, including the updated version on the Internet for the public to see. These maps were created in a graphic way for the utilization of the Department of Natural Resources’ records and for fishery. This graphic, simplified quality made the concept simple for humanity to detect, recognize, and follow directions. The changes I have made to these maps have returned them to their organic state. The additional mark making with ink and alterations of color have softened their rigidity and turned the subject matter into organic life forms. Though the subject matter itself has become organic and soft, there is still the underlying portrayal of a structured armature, or the original state of the map. The original state of the map is comparable to the original state and well being of the lakes. The alterations represent the changes that the ecosystem can go through when an exotic species is introduced and takes over.

Part of developing a voice as a contemporary drawer involves educating oneself about the subject matter and concepts in which one portrays, as well as educating oneself about fellow contemporary drawers who are successful in their endeavors. Jeremy Wood and Julie Mehretu are two contemporary drawers that utilize mapping, in which I can relate to with this project. I can relate to Wood in the sense that he has physically been at the location in which his art was made from. The GPS tracks his locations and keeps track of the lines and marks he makes through his travels. I feel as if the lake maps that I have incorporated in my own work are similar to this mindset. Physically, I have been in contact with the lakes that are depicted in the maps. They track where I have gone swimming, fishing, boating, etc. Each lake has significance to my own location within the world. Julie Mehretu is another contemporary artist in which my work can relate to. Her pieces involve blurring the distinction between fact and fiction and between past and present. This holds true with the relationship between the factual, graphic information given in the lake maps I have represented and the fictitious information given in the added mark making to create the forms of the exotic species that overwhelm the forms of the lakes. Although the overwhelming growth in the population of exotic species may hold true, the grand scale of the physical overtaking of an organism that the drawings depict is fictitious and is an exaggeration, although in the future, it may hold true. The past, present, and future are blurred within the alterations of the maps, the transformation of the lakes, and when these occurred.

I am satisfied with the result of this series. The mark making is pleasing to my personal style, as well as the hues and media I have chosen. The concept is significant to my entire body of work, which shares the same concepts and themes. I plan to further develop this concept and possibly create more pieces for this series. These will also appear in my senior show, as I feel that they are quite successful. The mixture of graphic and organic line, as well as the variation between thick and thin line work makes for an interesting composition. The preliminary versions of these pieces were drawn with charcoal, which was problematic when paired with the ink-printed map. I feel that I have remedied this problem in using ink throughout the entire composition.

Mapping: The Final Product

The series I have created for the mapping project is called Invasive. They are Photoshop altered lake maps printed on paper and drawn on with ink pens. Pictured is the final product...

Beginnings of Mapping Project

These were originally supposed to be the final copies of the project, however, the translation between the printed ink and the charcoal line drawings were lost. It was brought to my attentions that a more delicate line in the alteration from lake to animal would be beneficial to the compositions. Ink pens would also help to translate this idea. Thus, these became preliminary ideation for the final product. Also, I have decided to add on a fifth composition to the series.

Here is a list of the lakes with their corresponding species in which they will transform into:

Lake - Invasive Species

Winnibigoshish - Sea Lamprey

Washburn - Spiny Water Flea

Clearwater - Rusty Crayfish

Pleasant - Zebra Mussel

Eagle - Faucet Snail

Mapping

In the movies we watched during class this week, Julie Mehretu talked about how the elements of your surroundings influence your work. Architecture and urban areas seem to influence her work, along with the people she surrounds herself with. I can relate to this in my own work and process. I too, am highly influenced by my surroundings, which are rural. I have a concern for nature and its resources. Nature and humanity are both resourceful to one another, but there can also be harm caused in this distribution. Through domestication, both sides of the fence can benefit (sometimes). I am interested in paying attention to the give and take between man and nature.

These common themes in my work led me to think about lakes, which are a huge part of my surroundings. There is a constant give and take between the resources in which the lake offers man and what man offers the lake. Humans fish. The Department of Natural Resources makes sure that there is a limit on fishing and that permits are distributed. Fish populations are recorded and monitored, so that when specific species dwindle, the DNR may replenish the population. I am interested in the conversation between humans and the natural world. This leads me to mapping...

I found some old lake maps that belong to the DNR, and I am interested in how these lakes have changed over time. I also found information about specie populations in each lake and data on the upkeep of the resources. Through researching these lakes, I plan to involve the lake maps in my project. There are four lakes that are personally important to me. I either need to choose one, or make more than one piece, eventually. As of now, I plan to print out a black and white map and draw on it with charcoal, while incorporating an ink wash.

I am unsure of the subject matter in which I will draw into the map and how I will incorporate the two images. I have some photography of bait minnows in bags, which would be significant to the lakes as well as humans. I am also considering the possibility of drawing invasive species over the maps. Invasive species are carried and transported by humans when they are stuck on boats and lifts, which later are exposed to other lakes. This is a big problem for surface water and the ecosystem of these habitats.

Drawing III, Spring 2011

My name is Jill Alberg and I am from Monticello, Minnesota. I grew up in a rural environment, which highly influences my work. To me, it is important to know what surrounds us outside of the buildings we hide in. Nature is something I obviously enjoy, which is one of the reasons why I choose my subject matter, but it goes deeper than that. I also value the importance of nature and the preservation of it, since it is where we obtain our resources. I am interested in the give and take between nature and humanity, including the concept of domestication.

Research and reflection on the relations between nature and humanity are the driving force behind my inspiration. My process involves scientific research including the subjects of species and anatomy. With this knowledge, I typically write or make lists, which develop into the framework for a drawing. Along with writing, I take a lot of photographs. I often revisit the rural area in which I grew up for inspiration. There is an abundance of plants and animals in which I study and photograph. Some examples of the wildlife that I photograph are pictured here. In this rural area, you can simply look out the window and see a flock of turkeys or maybe a family of deer. If you take the time to look a little closer, there is an abundance of smaller creatures, including amphibians, reptiles, and insects. During my research, I observe my surroundings and want to know what every animal is called and what it does for the ecosystem. I value this natural curiosity and am disappointed when others do not. I would like my work to emulate and/or represent the natural world surrounding us, in an attempt to inspire care and curiosity in others.

Some common themes and comparisons I utilize in art making:

and

Urban vs. Rural

Graphic vs. Organic

Man vs. Nature

Birth/Life vs. Death

Femininity vs. Masculinity

Anatomy

Domestic vs. Feral

This semester, I plan to prepare for my senior show in May. I do consider myself to be a contemporary drawer, and my senior show will consist of drawings. Typically, in the past, I have been very traditional with my materials. I prefer drawing large scale on Stonehenge paper with charcoal. Over these drawings, I enjoy utilizing ink washes. Fluidity has been important in my work, as the ink has the purpose of giving new life to a tight, stiff drawing. The haphazard result in which washes give my drawings are pleasing to me (Photos of drawings in previous posts). I hope to make more drawings like this, however, I have tried something new recently...

Over winter break, I rediscovered a media my father has always used, and I used at a younger age. Wood burning is something I grew up with, as my father made many signs, as well as art pieces. I rediscovered the tools as I was rummaging through some things at home, and decided to test it out. I got carried away, and before I knew it, I created five pieces that I plan to use in my senior show. Throughout the semester, I hope to further develop this series (although I am not sure where it would be allowable to burn wood in this building). Representing these creatures at an unusual angle is my intent. My research involves photography of animals in vulnerable positions, as vulnerability has become a new theme in my work.

When I am not drawing, I make jewelry. I mostly use wire, found objects, and polymer clay. Pictured are a few of my recent pieces.

Last Two Drawings

Series: Relatives
Top: Roots
Middle: Rapacious
Bottom:Retiring

For the last two pieces assigned, I wanted to create something that was based on my previous piece titled Roots. I really enjoyed using charcoal and an ink wash on paper, so I thought it would be a good idea to carry this process over to two other drawings. I am also captivated by topics involving evolution versus creation, in which each of these pieces talk about. With the two additions to this series, I wanted to bring in another aspect to the concept, which involves the give and take between humanity and nature.

When I began researching for these two drawings, I was interested in primates and hominids in relation to homosapiens. Many primates have DNA that is from 96 to 99% similar to the DNA of humans. I find this to be very significant. Humanity overpowers any other species in existence on the planet and this power is abused more often than not. The resources in which the earth provides us are abused and many species are endangered. One of these species that captivates me is the gorilla, which resides in Africa. The gorilla is seen as a monstrous beast, but in reality, they are the most docile ape in existence. They are poached often and their population is dwindling quickly. It amazes me that an ape which shares 97% of its DNA with ours, is being so neglected. It is unbelievably similar to our own species, but people still take advantage of them. This greed saddens me.

Another aspect to these drawings is the willow branches. They represent the African Bush Willow, which provides a substance called Combretastatin, which aids in the tumor-cell killing power of radiation therapy as much as 500 times. This is tested on laboratory animals. Humanity is abusing animals for test and research facilities for the benefit of our own species. If this African Bush Willow becomes vastly used for medical purposes, it could be on its way out as a species as well.

For the first drawing, I drew one gorilla, which symbolizes the dwindling population. It has willow branches protruding from its fur because the gorilla also represents the earth and its resources available to humanity. The earth/gorilla/African Bush Willow is giving humanity resources that benefit our species, and this could be abused.

In the second drawing, I drew human hands, which represent greed. These hands are being given Combretastin by the willow branches, which are injecting it as though an IV would.