Calling The Police Is Not A Hobby

Being an artist, I don’t typically just have opinions about art related items.  There’s a new phenomenon that I’ve encountered regarding daily life in the city, and I expect it may well turn into a little rant.

To clarify where this is coming from, it helps to know about where I came from.  I grew up in a small rural community.  This is the kind of place that mostly everyone knows everyone else.  This is the kind of place that a grocery shopping trip can take an entire afternoon.  This is the kind of place that has as many liquor stores as churches. 

People have a certain understanding with one another.

For instance, if there is an unfenced field representing the backyard of 3 houses, it’s not uncommon for a father to be playing catch across a few yards with his little athlete.  There is an understanding that if there is damage caused the Father takes responsibility – which would be the insurance interpretation anyway.  However, after this method works for years, a lady from the city moves in and calls the police when the ball rolls softly several inches onto her portion of the field.

This is astounding to me. 

When I was still in public school, I hadn’t been sure of what I’d even observed.  It looked weird, but I hadn't been able to contextualize the reason why.

Now, I live in the city in my own house.  I’d been renting up to this point, so my interaction with neighbors was limited at best.  So, there's been a gap in between my home town expereiences and my current conundrum.

Here we go.  I had no idea people were so high upon themselves to call the police if someone so much as places their garbage bags a little too close to their part of the alley. 

Really? 

I used to think we just didn’t have good funding for our buddies in uniform, but it turns out that they spend a portion of their time with moronic complaints that have no criminal effect on society.  The garbage wasn't open.   The garbage wasn't obstructing traffic of any kind. The garbage wasn't making a mess in the alley. The garbage wasn’t thrown at them.  The garbage wasn’t unceremoniously scattered about their yard.  The garbage didn’t contain the remains of their child or pet, which was than thrown at them and scattered about the lawn.  The garbage sat there until the garbage wast aken away.

That got a little on the morbid side, but the concept is there.  What possible reason is there to involve law enforcement for trivialities of this nature? 

Neighbor rivalries?

Petty differences?

Are we even adults?

Calling the police is not a hobby.

Perhaps the reason our police force is unable to put a dent in titles like ‘Murder Capital of Canada’ is because they have to put too much effort into childish citizens that don’t play nice in the sandbox.  To add an artistic ranting kind of note here, perhaps our city would be able to flourish culturally if people were able to dislodge their collective noses out of other peoples’ business enough so to not require an armed person in a uniform to waste time and tax dollarson nonsense.

O_o

Anyway, this has been a rant.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Angel and the Stickmen

University - The Arts

I went into University just after I finished getting my diploma.  It wasn’t so much a thing that I wanted for myself, but it was the common thing to do with high grades and scholarships. 

So, why not?

Such a mentality is what usually gets me into trouble.  I spent two years on campus studying the Arts before I realized that my opportunity to get a job would be quite low – especially compared to the cost of tuition and books.  I took an English Major with an Art History Minor.  To enhance my artistic skills, I figure I take some Art and Design as well.

That was very foolish.

My perceptions were ill received in the academic world.  Perhaps I wasn’t as worldly as my instructors or peers.  I was taught that art is expression.  As far as expressions go, people have a myriad of different opinions which makes art a topic for debate.  Ideally, my notion was that a debate allows people to broaden understandings and explore differing perspectives.  My mentality on this matter didn’t mesh well with the others.

I spent most of the time on the outskirts of discussions to avoid causing ripples in their minds.  When my work was reviewed, it was often to try to get me to leave the class.  So, my experience with being educated on how to create art was unfulfilling and disappointing. 

I somehow passed, but I didn’t draw for 2 years thereafter.

There are a few misconceptions I’ve sorted through since my time there.  Contrary to the academic rules, there’s no right or wrong way to produce art.  There is no right or wrong way to express ones self.  There is, however, a way to offend and a way not to offend people with art, but there is no way to have everyone like the same piece of art in the same way. 

It’s more about who’s the weak link, and how do we destroy them.

It wasn’t an inquisition, but it was a harrowing. 

My whole concept of educated people and the quality of education was skewed.

Now I read an article in the paper almost weekly about budget cuts to the arts programs.  Somehow, I still find it disconcerting.

 

Sincerely,

 

Angel and the Stickmen

The Talus Dome - Edmonton

As I go out to experience our City, it’s difficult not to notice the shimmering mound off of the Quesnell Bridge.  On my way to the Zoo earlier this Summer I was able to take a closer look at this controversial $600 000 eye sore.  Up close, it’s easier to enjoy it, though I figured it wasn’t a well travelled area on foot.  So, I figured it’d be a good topic to investigate. 

The results were interesting. 

Vandalism

Twitter Abuse

General Hatred

Alien Shit

Methinks there has to be worse things than alien pooh.  Though, I’ve found few reactions to this artwork more humorous.

I understand that it’s difficult to accept unfinished work – especially a public piece.  I’d be the first to criticize Edmonton for some of its choices, but a culturally stagnating city isn’t a good thing either.  Something is better than nothing on the artistic front.  Though seemingly contradictory, I’d like to clarify that, my last entry about 1-3 million dollars on a lit bridge seems to me to be less like art and more of a waste of money. 

With the Talus Dome, I’m not so convinced that it’s a useless drain of money on the developing Edmonton landscape.  However, I’m also not so convinced that the current $600 000 cost is justifiable – especially being unfinished.  The Talus Dome came into existence in 2011, and on February 21, 2012, John Mahon was quoted to say, “Let us finish it, and let it sit there before you decide it should be moved. I’d ask people for a year or a little bit more. It’s like a good stew. It’s got to settle.”  Typically, I would agree that new things take time to accept and enjoy, but it’s now August of 2013. 

If it’s indeed going to be finished, I would much like to view the finished product as opposed to at least 2 years of built up disdain.  We’re left with this lingering taste of disgust due to our misplaced anticipation of a completed monument.  To an outside viewer, the Talus Dome is still perceived as a poorly located shiny pile of balls rather than a representation of natural beauty as shaped by the river valley surrounding.

The level of thought placed into a piece of art work meaningful and befitting our City is clear.  Talus formations accumulate by collected sediment typically natural to river valleys – hence the placement in the river valley where natural Talus formations would exist.  Rather than being amidst more naturally occurring scenery, the structure is located just off of a highway – incidentally where many commuters with varying artistic backgrounds travel. 

It can’t help but be openly scrutinized as a result.

My concern is less with the appeal or location and more with the cost.  $600 000 is a hefty sum.  I was surprised to find no breakdown of where this money came from, so I did some poking around.  All of the below can be located online with a simple search of key terms.

The Talus Dome is comprised of 316L stainless steel from California.  316L indicates the grade of stainless steel used.  It’s among the highest durability and quality available, and it costs roughly $7000-$9000 in USD per ton.  I can’t find any details regarding the total mass of the dome.  So, identifying the cost of the materials isn’t possible without guesswork.  Though, with our harsh weather, the selected material is certainly ideal to battle against time.

Next, the construction began with a wood frame.  The balls were able to fall and form naturally before being welded into place.  At 30 feet high with no experience in metal working or wood framing, I can’t surmise the length of time needed to weld 900-1000 steel balls together or cost to construct a sturdy enough frame.

Remaining variables include the transportation of raw materials and the dome itself.  Without knowing where the items began, again, difficult to estimate.

My last variable – my primary curiosity - was the fee for the artist.

I have a theory on these things regarding transparency.  If people understand exactly where their tax money goes, in a way that they’re able to justify an expense, than it’s easier to accept.  Typically though, people aren’t that interested in the flow of money. 

The Talus Dome is identifiable and shiny – an easy target.

As many of us learned in school, it is easy to pick out the unique people.  It's not easy to see the effect they will have on the world.  I could say the same for the Talus Dome. 

Though, someone else could say the same for a lit up bridge too.

 

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen

Money Well Spent

Greetings my lovelies,


I've decided to comment on the news today.  I've realized in writing the following, that I'm not always on the side of the pretty things.  There is a practical side to my mentality which some of you may find humorous.  The following, is an opinion on a small aspect of the current state of my home city Edmonton Alberta.

 

I don’t usually read the news, because things come to my attention that crawl beneath my skin.  However, there are times that I become curious about the world I live in and what the others are up to. 

 

People don’t usually understand why I don’t follow reports or developing stories, and it’s a difficult thing to describe.  The best way I can say it, is that being part of this world embarrasses me.  Though, it’s becoming more apparent to me, that ignoring the things I don’t agree with doesn’t effect a change.  So, I've begun to pay more attention to see where I can fit into the world as less of a neutral.

Allow me to give you an example of what I mean.

I live in Edmonton the City of pot holes, litter, homelessness, and murders.  As I was reading our local paper, it appears we’re looking at being the City of an LED lit high level bridge costing 1-3 million dollars. Contrary to the article, this is not a great idea.  A lit bridge serves no other purpose than a plain bridge.  Lighting it takes a functioning piece of infrastructure and makes it look a little bit less like an eyesore from the people within viewing distance. 

As an artist, perhaps I should be able to appreciate the aesthetic.  I can understand adding some color and creativity to this City.  I can’t fathom why we’d light up a bridge that people would supposedly almost bust their suspension trying to see...  Actually, who travels to see a bridge?

How much of an actual attraction would a colorful bridge be?

Are there not more pressing matters to tend to than a drain on tax payer dollars and the electrical grid to make a bridge look pretty?

Let’s get the local graffiti artists free reign on the bridge.  It won’t cost anything.  It’ll be a changing landscape.  For those of you that don’t like graffiti artists, some of them may - in fact  - die from a fall.  This trend of fatalities may prevent graffiti on the bridge altogether.  Mother Nature will wash the bridge off, and we’ll be right back to the exact same spot.

Why?

It’s still just going to be a bridge.  It could look nicer, but it's still going to work like a bridge.

Regardless...

It’s embarrassing that the state of our cities infrastructure is struggling.  It’s embarrassing that we can’t drive to work without losing our cars in a sink hole due to neglected roads – you guys with the big trucks have ground clearance going for you.  It’s embarrassing that our police force lacks the funding to obtain proper training and put a dent in the plethora of murders, homicides, and suspicious deaths that have dubbed us the Murder Capital of Canada.  It’s embarrassing that we have so few viable ways to help our fellow humans gain a functioning role in society. 

 

It’s especially embarrassing that an article about spending a metric fuck ton of money on a lit bridge is viewed as a great idea.

 

Sincerely,

 

Angel and the Stickmen

Graffiti vs Art

I imagine that some of you just cringed while others had a little party in their head. The vast majority, I theorize, don’t care about things that don’t affect them. For most people I encounter, graffiti isn’t a tangible part of their lives. However, people with and without experience on a topic create opinions nonetheless. This phenomenon always intrigued me, and now I’m finding that it’s everywhere.

 

Graffiti is a recent phenomenon in our modern sophisticated society in which people write or draw on public surfaces.  Most consider this an illegal activity, and I don't necessarily disagree.  However, making something illegal doesn't disqualify certain other aspects.

The main area I’m interested in right now is the validity of graffiti as an art form.  To do so, we must first have a functional definition of art – which doesn’t exist.  Everyone has their own way of defining art, and some people have broader categories than others.  In short, if two sides of a debate don’t use words in the same way, than there’s next to no point in talking about it.  Since I’m not completely omniscient, I’ll use my definition.

Art = Self Expression

I touched on this in a previous entry.  Regardless of talent or capability of the artist, at its base elements, art is a form of self expression.  I don’t allow for things like tuition, degrees, careers, or a lack thereof to limit my perception.  Anyone who takes something out of their head for others to experience creates art.

Broad definitions aren’t always the best, mainly because they make people uncomfortable.  They allow for any possibility set in very general parameters.  In this world, we like categories.  I’m not so fond of them.

By my definition, graffiti is art. 

The person took something out of their head for others to experience.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more creative take on spelling things – some would say creativity is a prerequisite to creating art.  Half the time I can’t tell if it’s a face or a name, because it’s just that neat to look at.

If I’m stuck behind a train, I’m hoping to see graffiti. 

Why? 

I’m bored out of my proverbial tree, because trains, in general, aren’t that interesting to look at while they’re blocking the road.  Most, at least here, are so rusted out that the original subject matter is faded or gone anyway.

However, we start getting into another aspect of the graffiti discussion.  The canvas for these artists tends to be the property of someone else, so this concept of legality comes into play.  Graffiti can also be used to vandalize.  These concepts don’t deter that it is art – it just validates that some members of our community have fewer boundaries and possibly more vendettas.

That is not anything new.

 

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen

Where did that come from?

Greetings Travelers,

Over the course of the last few years, more people have discovered my little corner of the universe.  I'm finding it more frequent that newcomers will ask after the source of my ideas.  In truth, my mind is void when I draw. 

I know that everyone tries to find a message in art work; else it's simply a pretty thing to look at.  Though, the latter isn't the worst thing that could happen.  Even still, there is only one drawing that I actually drew with intent - 'On We Go.'

This is not to say that all of my work has no meaning.  My underlying purpose in artwork has its roots in one small image - stickmen.  Everyone can draw a stickman if they really want to.  It might have a deformed head; it might be malaportioned; it might have no torso.  However, no human is exactly alike, so your creation ought to be as unique as you are.  

My whole concept of artwork stems from this notion that everyone can draw in some capacity.  If I have a purpose, than the aforementioned would be my source.

Though, there are those that will find additional gems in my work which I was never aware of when I created it.  These are the people I truly appreciate.  They are able to see things from the products of my hands that my mind stowed away in my subconscious.

Fret not, there is meaning hidden in the smallest of holes when your thoughts are open to receive it.


Sincerely,
Angel and the Stickmen

What is Art?

My Communications teacher was talking to me about art about a year ago.  He brought up an interesting question that -I'm sure - people have been arguing about for centuries.  Pleasantly so, we shared the same point of view, though it took me some time to realize it.

The bulk of the conversation comes down to one question.

What is Art?

Personally, simple answers are usually the best ones, but often people that spend too much time in school enjoy complicating things.  I saw this mentality first hand in University.  People love dancing around the notion that they're right simply because they spent an exorbitant amount of money to get a piece of paper.  This paper allows particularly conceited persons certain privileges over their perceived underlings.

The simple truth is that one answer won’t represent everyone, because all humans view their reality in a certain way.  However, I think some intellectuals feel it necessary to exacerbate a single thing.  As a result, people will feud over a mere idea.

Art is a form of self expression.  From an artist’s soul to the marketing campaigns on the television, art expresses the self.  The self doesn’t have to be a single person, mind you.  A large company desires to get out into the world to share its vision just as much as a person wants to show their heart.

In effect, marketing may as well just be a combination of psychology and art.  That’s a topic for another day though.

So, to state my opinion, contrary to popular belief, the creative world isn’t an exclusive club with a mysterious purpose.  Anyone can pick up a pencil and draw.  The only difference is perception.

My perception of art is based on the simple concept of a Stickman, but I don’t draw with intent beyond that.  In fact, my whole purpose is to let people infer whatever they please from my work.  This was there are no wrong interpretations and  no one has to feel inferior as a result.

The true response is that art is only what you make of it.

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen

Language and Understanding

Greetings all,

 

Over the course of my years on this planet, certain things have crossed my path and stolen my attention.  One such thing began in University while I pursued an English degree.  My entire first class was instruction on Dictionaries and proper source material.  The whole class stunned me, because I didn’t think people needed to be told that the National Enquirer is not reliable and that it’s important for people to comprehend what you’ve written.

My minor irritation here stems from that day.  In my quest to determine which style of art my work belongs in, I've come across Abstract, Art Nouveau, Geometric, and Surrealism.  During this search, I’m more in favor of the conclusion that there is no apt way to define every aspect of my style. 

Let us first be on the same page.  

That's always a good place to start.

To my understanding, Abstract Art is a representation of anything which lacks definite realism.  An Abstract Artist may create something loosely based on reality that a viewer may identify it, but the Artist doesn't desire to recreate the real world.  However, this style can also encompass seemingly random shapes and figures organized in whichever manner the Artist chooses - Geometric Abstraction.

I've given only two definitions above.  There are more, and that doesn't cease to amaze me that we're so obsessed with creating words to categorize our world, so much so, that defining something we see becomes difficult. 

For instance, the word ‘jargon’ refers to words with specific definition in a certain industry.  In effect, we created a word to describe how some people use words differently.  I’d be interested to know how many words we have, even compared to 50 years ago.  This will be a question for another day.

In our world, it's no wonder the people debate about things like words.  They don't all mean one thing to every person, and people wage intellectual wars over such nonsense.  Granted, most people also have an insatiable urge to be right all of the time.

So, to be abstract, by the simplest form of the adjective definition, is to lack physical existence.  Than, to create Abstract Art should simply be to draw something that doesn't have a physical form.  However, in drawing it, it’s being given form.  The whole definition has been manipulated to include an out of focus reality to suit an idea that developed quite recently.

I find this mildly disheartening, because we all depend very heavily on language to communicate.  I know the tone of our voice and the twitch of our faces play a part, but ultimately, right now, you are relying on my words to understand my thoughts – scattered as they often are.

The occurrence of misunderstandings is only becoming more frequent.  I fear, eventually, meaningful and effective communication will cease to exist.  To solidify my point, please ask yourself the following questions.

How many times have you had to clarify what you meant to say in the past week?

How many times in a day are you confused after interacting with another human?

How many times did you ask yourself what I’m talking about in this entry?

 

Yours Truly,

~Angel and the Stickmen

Nice to Meet You - I'm Angel

Hello there traveler, my name is Angel, and this is my little quirky corner of the universe. My project is called Angel and the Stickmen, which makes no sense in passing. Allow me to tell you a little story about my beginnings and the development of this project.

　

I spent a lot of time thinking in school. It wasn't about my work or anything clearly constructive at the time. I wondered more about why my classmates did things that they did, and I wondered about how time changes things. It was during this time that I began to draw.

　

Previously, I always refused because I felt inadequate and unskilled. In effect, art was torture for me, and it actually landed me in a detention. I was asked to create a ghost for the Halloween decorations, and he came out quite scary. I thought I was following instructions, but it turned out that I was wrong.

　

At first, I wasn't aware of these things I drew, because the world around me was a swirling void that made no sense. I observed, and my hand worked, but little else mattered to me.

　

Then something happened. I received a worksheet back in my English class. The margins had all been doodled, and on the side there was a little happy face and a grade. My teacher was marking my doodles! 

　

She was an interesting woman to be certain. Incidentally, her favorite word was ‘pickle.’

　

I found out a few things during that year. The first revelation was that I could draw. The second was that my English teacher couldn't draw. Being somewhat naive, I thought I could teach her. She humored me for some time as I learned about 3D images and proportions. In the end one thing stuck with me, "I can't even draw a Stickman."

　

Usually people say that to me when they see what I've done. They'll muse about another world in which they could create such fanciful things. I never knew how to respond. Even looking back at that first time with my English teacher, I still don't know what to say. It's not so much that they couldn't draw a stickman if they wanted to. Such a basic image represents something much larger to them. It's their symbol of something they can't attain - even though I once told myself the same thing. 

　

I don't understand, because I used to think I couldn't draw.

　

Having reviewed this notion, I’ve reconsidered my past experiences. Hidden in all of my recent work you will find a Stickman. I merge simple ideas into my work for the others they won’t draw, and to remind myself that I once shared their perceptions on drawing.

　

You might be saying to yourself that this explains Stickmen, but where does Angel fit in? My last name translates to Angel in English. So, Angel and the Stickmen refers to the underlying idea and I.

　

　

Sincerely,

Angel and the Stickmen