Upcoming:
Solo Exhibition: Replication Machines, Spoke, Chicago, August 2-13, Reception Aug 6, 7-9pm, 2010
http://www.SpokeChicago.blogspot.com/
Solo Exhibition, Fill In the Blank Gallery, November, 2010
http://www.fillintheblankgallery.com/
Mark Porter Recently invited me into
what could easily be described his mad scientist lair for a closer look at his latest kinetic sculptures. Like the pencil lines that premeditated their function, these sculptures are twiggy and tall, more like drawings in scrap straps, walkers, rods, and specially machined pieces that function for the purpose of this invention alone. It's really more invention, and drawing with machine parts. Each of the machines has a corresponding plan demonstrating the capability of the device, and the hopeful potential for a device which may move and make on its own accord. In striking similarity the much larger machines gush and blow, turn, do, and produce. Porter calls these the drawing machines. These machines spray, or drip, but with the object of not only for the spectacle of their own creation, but the Utopian dream that they too will have the power to give life to some other form. Ultimately, the nozzles do everything in their capacity to create, and the trace of mechanical production is leaked onto the wall, dripping onto the floor, and potentially destroying the machine itself. An apt metaphor for the creative process, these machines are from a long line of other devices meant to simulate the hand of man, but unlike commercial production, a serendipitous mark, and even destruction is desired.
Chelsea Goodwin, Curator
Fusing found objects and his own custom-made creations, Mark Porter produces one-of-a-kind pieces that gradually transform themselves — and the gallery — as the show progresses. The mechanical-drawings-turned-sculptures in Nurture/Alter mimic the irregularity of human actions and portray narratives through a series of projected images, videos, and fluid expulsions. Porter places his project blueprints next to the sculptures to aid in the understanding of their development, which continues free of his influence for the duration of the exhibition. Check out the show sooner than later, though, so you can observe the counterproductive movements of Porter's work before it slowly self-destructs.
Morgan Phelps
Flavorpill, Chicago
Recent Exhibitions
Stop, Start, Repeat. Anton Art Center, April-June
Solo Exhibition in The Front, New Orleans,
Replication Machines, Territorial Markers, and Preliminary Drawings
http://www.nolafront.org/pages/newsmain.htm
Mutations, Douglas Park Fieldhouse, Chicago
http://www.artslant.com/global/articles/show/7541
Olfaction, Dunham,UK August, 2009
Artists Run Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center, Hyde Park, IL ,July 09
Prototype, MiniDutch Gallery, Chicago, Jan, 09
Recent Solo Exhibit: Nurture/Alter
Northeastern Illinois University Fine Arts Center Gallery, Oct 08
Solo Exhibition: Replication Machines, Spoke, Chicago, August 2-13, Reception Aug 6, 7-9pm, 2010
http://www.SpokeChicago.blogspot.com/
Solo Exhibition, Fill In the Blank Gallery, November, 2010
http://www.fillintheblankgallery.com/
Mark Porter Recently invited me into
what could easily be described his mad scientist lair for a closer look at his latest kinetic sculptures. Like the pencil lines that premeditated their function, these sculptures are twiggy and tall, more like drawings in scrap straps, walkers, rods, and specially machined pieces that function for the purpose of this invention alone. It's really more invention, and drawing with machine parts. Each of the machines has a corresponding plan demonstrating the capability of the device, and the hopeful potential for a device which may move and make on its own accord. In striking similarity the much larger machines gush and blow, turn, do, and produce. Porter calls these the drawing machines. These machines spray, or drip, but with the object of not only for the spectacle of their own creation, but the Utopian dream that they too will have the power to give life to some other form. Ultimately, the nozzles do everything in their capacity to create, and the trace of mechanical production is leaked onto the wall, dripping onto the floor, and potentially destroying the machine itself. An apt metaphor for the creative process, these machines are from a long line of other devices meant to simulate the hand of man, but unlike commercial production, a serendipitous mark, and even destruction is desired.
Chelsea Goodwin, Curator
Fusing found objects and his own custom-made creations, Mark Porter produces one-of-a-kind pieces that gradually transform themselves — and the gallery — as the show progresses. The mechanical-drawings-turned-sculptures in Nurture/Alter mimic the irregularity of human actions and portray narratives through a series of projected images, videos, and fluid expulsions. Porter places his project blueprints next to the sculptures to aid in the understanding of their development, which continues free of his influence for the duration of the exhibition. Check out the show sooner than later, though, so you can observe the counterproductive movements of Porter's work before it slowly self-destructs.
Morgan Phelps
Flavorpill, Chicago
Recent Exhibitions
Stop, Start, Repeat. Anton Art Center, April-June
Solo Exhibition in The Front, New Orleans,
Replication Machines, Territorial Markers, and Preliminary Drawings
http://www.nolafront.org/pages/newsmain.htm
Mutations, Douglas Park Fieldhouse, Chicago
http://www.artslant.com/global/articles/show/7541
Olfaction, Dunham,UK August, 2009
Artists Run Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center, Hyde Park, IL ,July 09
Prototype, MiniDutch Gallery, Chicago, Jan, 09
Recent Solo Exhibit: Nurture/Alter
Northeastern Illinois University Fine Arts Center Gallery, Oct 08
