ARTHUR HASH lecture

ARTHUR HASH came to Towson University Thursday night to do a lecture on this alternative methods and materials. I know everyone in my classes had been really excited for him to talk at our school. Jan called him the "poster child of object designers today". Check out his website and blog!! So, i took a lot of notes during the lecture but i thought i'd share a few points:

-in the beginning when he was making brass vessels they started to take on human forms but with minimal abstractions, art on the body

-then there was the "frozen moment in time" theme

-when he experimented with pattern design he was also questioning the value of jewelry for example: smashing silver against concrete for texture

-started to move away from metal to find alternative materials -> Hot Glue Neckpiece 2005, he said it was cool to see how different materials reacted with the body

-pushed the envelope by working a lot with cast polyurethane *non traditional metals & jewelry* ->bracelet stamp *instant jewelry (VERY clever!)

~polyurethane puddle bracelets, "moment in time" idea continued

-*Happy accident coffee stain brooch (powder coated steel)

-he talked about an installation that he did -it was a bunch of plastic tablecloths that he had filled partially with helium, sealed the edges, so they stood up on the ground. The idea was the static electricity would build up and as people came into the room the forms would lean toward you or follow you around. I think it's sort of playing on the idea of people are afraid to touch art at shows and art interacting with its audience. I thought that was so funny and with the way he described it, we all couldn't stop laughing

-works with/and taught digital media, it's less toxic, less time consuming, but objects are still designed by him (used Rhino and a dimension SST 3d printer)

-*one of my favorites: 350 BROOCH INSTALLATION-silhouettes from digital pictures cut out of steel and painted. He said the forst 50 were hand cut but then the rest was water jet cut. I love the way he displayed them on the wall. He said he hoped the piece would sell and everyday that person could pick a different brooch to wear off the wall.

*ICONS: (pink chainsaws, grenade and skull brooch) everyone translates icons differently

-PACKAGING: used stickers, I love how his packaging and displays incorporate elements from previous work as well as the new stuff. Plus it looks freakin awesome!

-Snap out rings- *making your own jewelry*

-using materials that people would normally throw away (moss, old shoes, ping pong paddles)

-He stressed that the internet is a huge source that everyone could find helpful. It's a place where everyone can instantly get comments or critiques (that's why he puts everything on flickr or on his blog). It's a great way to find out what's new and the next thing. *Everything is online!

So, I thought it was cool how he hung out with Jan that day, gave the lecture, and came to our after party to talk even more! I thought he was hilarious and a really good speaker. I wanted to hear more even though it was late and i'm usually dead by then. I think his work is clever and innovative, i kept thinking in my head as he was talking, "how did he think of that!?" I'm so glad he came to towson to speak! Hopefully i'll get to see him at one of the shows or SNAG and ask more questions.