I started this blog because I was feeling that I was entering a bit of an imposed artistic hiatus. Kodak had stopped producing the specialized film I used for most of my photography, and I’d bought the last of the old stock of it that people had to sell on eBay.
I enjoy gardening at least as much as art-making. Also, the idea of a garden plays with the same kinds of ideas that I was interested in when I did my art, stuff like the edges between human culture and nature, and the environmental costs of human habitation. The idea of a garden blog seemed like it could keep me thinking about some ideas that interested me. And it might push the some of the same creative buttons that photography did.
(Left: James SOE NYUN. Calla Lily Dissection II, 1997. Pigment print, ca. 13 x 19 inches.)
Maybe the blog has functioned too well to keep me out of the studio. But I’ve been reprinting at some of the garden-based photography I did in the past and seeing how it might point in new directions.
Recently I was invited to show of my older work at a small gallery in Escondido, in northern San Diego County. The show is Eyesight is Insight / Art + Science, and is curated by Ruth West and Sarach Attwood. The show opened yesterday, and remains up through July 3 at the Escondido Arts Partnership Municipal Gallery. These are a couple of the works in the show, images from my Destructive Testing Series, a small group of works where I use plant materials from the garden in little science experiments.
(Left: James SOE NYUN. Fig Leaf Flammability Test 6b, 2000. Pigment print, ca. 19 x 15 3/4 inches.)
In addition to reprinting some fo the older work, I’ve actually been doing a little bit of work looking at gardening. I’ll share some of it here once I get to something I’m willing to show the world.
In the meantime, I’m happy to share some of this older work. Stop by the show if you’re in the headed for Escondido!
Well what an interesting idea to start a blog. From artistry to blogging and gardening ties it all together. And a shown artist too! I hope your show goes well and do show us more of your gardening work!
I like this but won’t be near Escondido for several years. Hope you’ll show us more.
James, I for one sure hope you continue your little gardening blog passion. There is never a bad post here and many of your insights mirror real and literally topical concerns of landscape design and water worries in general – a subject which is growing in importance.
Plus you have the unmistakable eye of the artist which in itself is rare enough and keen enough to make us all think. Keep it up!
I like the photos. I’m probably an easy audience for destructive art work, though. Too bad about the film. I hate when things I like get discontinued.