Objicles: 9/2/07 - 9/9/07

Sometimes explorers start on their journey having in mind just a direction, not a destination. They don't know what they will find or where they will end up. What such explorers do intend is to discover something new – if only on a personal level – and to learn from the experience.

Starting this series of small sculptures – I call them “Objicles” - I feel that I am setting out on such a journey of exploration. I have some images and some feelings. The rest I'll find out along the way. I set a few ground rules: each piece must be table size, made mostly out of wood. Metal and possibly cast cement could be used too. The concept of every piece will dictate its look: unfinished or painted. I decided to use manual tools whenever possible. The surface and design will be treated with some precision but not to the point of a machine-made look.

I also decided that the Objicles must be rather simple in shape and color. Minimalism might come to mind but it's not the goal. I would like to see how far I can go using primarily geometric shapes, though references to symbols will play one of the major roles.

Superficially some elements of the Objicles might recall the formalistic experiments of the abstract and constructivist artists of the beginning of the XX century. The experiences of the previous generations must be acknowledged but – if possible - used for finding something more personal, in a more humanistic direction.

I choose this opportunistic approach – leaving many ends untied – in order to take advantage of surprises along the way.

There are many examples of "a painting a day" projects. I see it as a normal practice of any artist who maintains a working rhythm. However it's hard to imagine producing one Objicle every day without dedicating all of my time to it because I also paint and work on large scale sculptures. I would like this journey to be somewhat pleasurable, so I decided that establishing a regular but light rhythm would be important.

Scroll down and stay tuned for new Objicles. If you would like to see more of my art or buy any of it, including Objicles, please visit my website: www.rabodzeenko.com

Monday, September 3, 2007

Objicles 0006 - 0007

Objicle 0007

oiled and buffed wood (cedar), steel
H 6" x L 15" x W 6"

I started this Objicle with a center-oriented shape in mind. I wanted to make its one end pointy and the other - round and flat, with a metal face to emphasize the stopping of motion in this direction. I then added a smaller, rounded cone that "grows" in the opposite direction from the main body. The steel shelf seals the end and is supposed to stop any wooden movement in this direction, but despite its effort the smaller and more fluid part grew on the other side, overcoming the barrier and establishing a more positive balance overall.

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Objicle 0006
oiled and buffed wood
H 5" x L 7" x W 6"

Why is it that I like boat shapes so much?... There is some kind of magic in them. In this one I wanted to think of the straightforwardness of a boat/iron shape. So I created a crossbar which is asymmetrical as well. It made the whole shape lean to one side. The form is not going straight any more but is anchored down and maybe going in a circular motion. I stamped my initials on the bottom of the crossbar.

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