A C T I V A T I O N S
A VIRTUAL EXHIBITION BY
Adolfo Ruiz
Aubrie Mema
John Saenz
Ruth-Anne Siegel
Viraj Khanna
As a group, we were intrigued with Conceptual Art and the work of Sol Lewitt.
We gave each other Instructions. Each respective set was a play on our own styles and techniques, simplified with an abundance of opportunity for the activator to add their unique approach.
We randomly chose whose instructions to follow by pulling the names of the group out of a large envelope.
Enjoy the interesting results!
Adolfo Ruiz
Past work: My artwork during this residency has emerged from blind and gestural mark-making.
Adolfo Ruiz
Transformation: �I have used this improvisational method as a starting point for �a series of unfinished drawings: depicting worlds that are suggestive of energy flows, entanglement, ecology, and relationality.
In the most recent drawing, I expanded the linework outside the boundaries of the paper surface— building links elsewhere on the wall and ceiling of my studio.
Aubrie Mema
PAST WORK: Some work focused on visual habits found in my work to understand shapes and forms I was drawn to and enjoyed making. Other work centered on gender roles from an LDS perspective.
Aubrie Mema
TRANSFORMATION: I am exploring surface, color, mark making, material and a combination of ideas taken from earlier work. I am interested in feedback from viewers about the meaning of the work to understand what the images elicit.
John Saenz
PAST WORK: �My pre-SAIC work has been focused on People, Places, and Events with a commercial commerce focus.
�The intent of the work has been on meeting a client's expectations vs. my own artistic interests but always with the final product meeting my style and image quality standards.
John Saenz
TRANSFORMATION: �SAIC's focus and rigor has shifted my perspective in creating work for myself vs. focused on a paying client. It's a Material Difference, as creating for myself involves Intention and Exploring my "Why?". �I will continue my journey in Photography while also exploring: Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking.
Ruth-Anne Siegel
PAST WORK: My abstract paintings were an exercise in formal principles of color and composition layered with a visual exploration of the world around me and grew out of my recollections of sensory engagement. — the bright sunlight of California, a summer evening during childhood, the thrum of New York City. I would distill these stimuli into paintings that glowed with jewel-toned layers.
Ruth-Anne Siegel
TRANSFORMATION: With my current work, I am exploring disharmony, mess, accidental marks and modular strategies.
I still paint and now print with bright colors, but I am exploring my somatic and tactile relationship to the materials and the physical reaction to external stimulation.
Viraj Khanna
PAST WORK: With my past work I was focusing on only one medium and working with that.
This is hand embroidery on cotton without anything else added!
This is quite large approximately 9 by 4 feet!
Viraj Khanna
TRANSFORMATION: This is the same work but now I added 40 bottles of paint on this. It was a huge risk because these textiles are very expensive to create. Luckily, it worked out (at least i think so)
Viraj Khanna
TRANSFORMATION: This is where I cut up canvas and added another element to the textile. Now it is hand embroidery, acrylic, and canvas on cotton.
I have been working on a more fluid approach while painting but I keep trying to create structure in the end.
Activation Instructions
Aubrie Mema
> Viraj Khanna
1. On ½ a sheet of paper, drip some ink or paint
2. Fold in half, press
3. Open and look for shapes
4. Draw shapes on top of the inkblot.
Activation Instructions
Adolfo Ruiz
> Ruth-Anne Siegel
1. Close your eyes and render a blind drawing on a sheet of paper for approximately 1 minute (optional: you may want to think of an idea, event, issue or person as you create this drawing).
2. As you create your blind drawing allow your hand to move in an unplanned way over the paper. Your linework should involve flow rather than control.
3. Open your eyes and observe your blind drawing. Look for 'meaning' and form within the marks.
4. Create a final drawing (in 3 to 4 minutes) based on the meaning and form deciphered in step 3.
Activation Instructions
John Saenz
> Aubrie Mema
Dump the contents of the folder out
Use as many or as few pieces as you wish
You may cut the pieces to fit Your vision on the provided card stock.
Create: "The City" you wish to see!
Activation Instructions
Ruth-Anne Siegel
> Adolfo Ruiz
Step 1: Listen to a song with the title, “Fog”
Step 2: Make two circles with yellow and three circles with blue
Step 3: Cover one circle with red
Step 4: Create atmosphere around the circles
Step 5: Smile
Activation Instructions
Viraj Khanna
> John Saenz
1-Make an illustration using only acrylic on paper.
2-Pour as many bottles of paint on the paper first as deemed necessary
3-You can sweep, scratch, claw, fight or whatever
4-There should be an abstract face
5-You can use paper cut outs for eyes, nose, etc.
The Activation
Our Interpretations
Viraj Khanna
Our Interpretations
Ruth-Anne Siegel
Our Interpretations
John Saenz
Our Interpretations
Aubrie Mema
Our Interpretations
Adolfo Ruiz