Study Notes on MSM's Artistic Journey and Approaches

Introduction

  • The speaker has invited their friend MSM to talk about their work.

  • They met during grad school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison while taking a paper-making class.

  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of their friendship over the past five years.

Background on MSM

  • MSM travels from Montreal, where they work at a furniture school and teach two classes.

  • They are described as an artist, woodworker, designer, and visual artist.

  • Their work significantly explores the relationship between design, space, and the body’s interaction with that space.

Purpose of the Talk

  • MSM intends to present their work and engage with the audience through questions about ideas and projects.

  • They express excitement about the close proximity of Vermont to Montreal and wish for more connections.

Artistic Journey

Education

  • MSM has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in printmaking but has engaged in interdisciplinary work.

  • After graduation, they developed a drawing practice, which emphasized the accessibility and physicality of creating art.

Transition to Woodworking

  • Following a year focused on drawing, MSM attended trade school to learn woodworking, prompted by personal loss and a need for change.

  • They became dedicated to designing and building custom fine furniture.

Evolving Artistic Concepts

Intersection of Furniture and Sculpture

  • MSM describes their evolving understanding of furniture as sculptural work that communicates through various surfaces and textures.

  • They speak of starting to think sculpturally about furniture in 2018-2019, specifically through carvings that create texture and engage sensory experiences.

  • The process involves exploring material transcendence, where one material mimics the characteristics of another, creating an interaction with the viewer.

Artistic Methodology

  • There’s an emphasis on tests and explorations leading to the creation of artwork—each carved surface is a new visual and tactile language.

  • Furniture pieces are connected to wall panels and explore sensorial experiences that transform into material forms.

  • MSM integrates digital technologies with traditional techniques in their work.

Concept of Function in Art

Functional Art

  • MSM enjoys creating "function-ish" objects that provide accessible entry points for audiences who can relate to everyday objects in their lives.

  • They aim for viewers to anticipate tactile experiences, even if the object’s function isn’t overtly practical.

Sculpture and Interaction

  • The aspect of negative space in the design of furniture relates directly to human bodies, prompting a sense of connection and interaction.

  • When designing, MSM often considers how objects might prompt users to engage in specific gestures or movements.

Experiencing Isolation and Touch During the Pandemic

Reflecting on Touch

  • During the pandemic, MSM moved to Madison while facing border closures and social distancing. This inspired a series of works exploring themes of isolation and touch—both intimate and platonic.

  • Negative spaces in their work serve to articulate a connection to the viewer’s body and experiences, promoting the recreation of gestures of touch.

Use of Materials and Form to Convey Themes

  • They introduced acrylic materials to articulate barriers in public spaces amid COVID-19, using the material to explore themes of social isolation and safety.

  • MSM uses manipulation of materials like pipe insulation and wood to evoke bodily interactions and emotional connections with structures.

Thematic Exploration of the Body

Complexity of the Body

  • MSM aims to present the body as a site for a range of nuances: sensuality, pain, humor, discomfort, and empowerment through their sculptures.

  • The abstraction in their work is intended to reflect bodily experiences and emotions, drawing connections with the viewer's own relationship with their body.

Space as Active Ingredient

  • Each work around bodily interaction is designed and positioned intentionally within gallery space to invite viewers into a more interactive experience.

Process and Material Negotiation

Choice of Materials

  • MSM discusses the process of material selection and negotiation within their work, emphasizing the properties of wood as a conduit for expressing physical and emotional connections.

  • The negotiation involves recognizing how materials can dictate form and function while also serving to reflect on deeper emotional connections with the environment.

Reflections on Future Work

Agency and Control

  • MSM contemplates the relationship between agency and control in their art-making processes, exploring how distortion in recognizable forms signals deeper social concerns such as climate change and political climates.

  • Humor and playfulness in their work act as a coping mechanism, imbuing the abstract with a sense of exploration and curiosity.

Conclusion

Upcoming Projects

  • MSM provides an overview of their recent projects, incorporating traditional woodworking techniques, and hints at the continued evolution of their artistic journey, which balances function with sculptural expression.

  • The talk concludes with gratitude for the audience and an openness to engage further with their questioning and creative exploration.

Q&A Session

Audience Engagement

  • The session allows for questions about MSM’s transition from printmaking to woodworking, with an emphasis on the importance of community and opportunity in their artistic development.

  • Information about the technical aspects of wood bending and the nuances of their creative process is shared in response to inquiries from the audience.

Drawing Exercise

  • The speaker introduces a drawing exercise focusing on different characteristics of chairs, engaging students in a speed-drawing session with various prompts to encourage creativity and spontaneity.

  • The speed increases in drawing times challenges participants to think quickly, capture ideas on paper, and share a variety of interpretations of chair concepts, ultimately enhancing their artistic engagement.