Marina Abramovic

Although performance art has never been of much interest to me, I found myself intrigued by the recent work of Marina Abramovic entitled "The Artist is Present". Marina's performance was held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York from mid March to the end of May in 2010, during which time she sat daily, for seven hours a day, in a wood chair centered in a circle of lights, silent and motionless. A chair was placed opposite her for anyone to who wished to sit in her presence for as long as they like. The only thing she asked is that whomever sat with her also remain silent, motionless, and stare back at her.

What I love about "The Artist is Present" is the depth that such a simple act can bring. Many people who sat with Marina cried as they looked in her eyes. As she recounted her experience she said "I gazed into the eyes of many people who were carrying such pain inside that I could immediately see it and feel it," she says, still sounding excited. "I become a mirror for them of their own emotions. "

How often do we take the time these days to just sit with someone? We can be surrounded with people on all sides and not ever truly feel that we have been seen. I think this piece speaks to the power of human connection and perhaps how we have lost it.

It fascinates me that while Marina was the performer, the people who participated, became the focus. Reading about the "Artiest is Present" from Marina's perspective brought this to light as she described the physical tole her body took during her performance. She had to change her eating and sleep patterns to be able to sit still for seven hours a day, six days a week. She also describes a lot of pain from sitting motionless in the wooden chair that made up her instillation. I would have never considered her physical state while contemplating this piece and I doubt those who sat across from her thought of anything other then their own experience.

I have never truly understood performance art, but to be honest I don't know if I have eve tried. Performance art has always seemed bizarre and though possibly filled with meaning to the performer, mostly nonsensical to the observer. Marina's recent work has made me reconsider the impact performance work can have on it's audience and though much of her work is centered in pain, I also see it's quiet beauty.

"For me, the long duration of a piece is the key to real transformation – and performance art is nothing without transformation."

Marina Abramovic

Cal Lane

"5 Shovels" Plasma cut steal shovels - 2005

"Filigree Car Bombing" Plasma cut steel car parts, dirt
12' x 10' x 6' - 2007

British Columbia artist Cal Lane works primarily in steal, creating beautiful juxtapositions between the hard and soft. In addition to combining elements that speak to both masculinity and femininity, she also plays off the nature of lace; the aspect of covering and revealing.

Her recent works are more political in nature, combining elements of beauty into the harsher realities of life. You truly get a sense of this in her piece entitled "Filigree Car Bombing" where she has cut integrate flower patterns into twisted car parts.

"1000 Gallon Lace Oil Tank, and fabricated Oil Spill"
Oxy-acetylene cut oil tank, 12' x 4' - 2009

In her own words "The crushed steel of the car is cut into fine lace creating a drapery of disruption and sadness, a conflict of attraction to fancy work and the attraction to a horrific image."

In art, I am drawn to things of beauty and I love the way Cal incorporates such delicate lines into her pieces. In and of themselves, her art is beautiful to look at and draws you in, but as you consider her medium, you begin to see a deeper meaning.

So often I feel that contemporary art, while making a statement that may be very important, lacks the skill or visual interest to make it stand out. In order to grab and hold an audience you need to give them something they want to keep looking at, and in my opinion, Cal Lane does just that.

"I have always been interested in embracing the very thing that repels me in order to understand it: I prefer to make sense of things or in order to suspend (or pass) judgment." Cal Lane