Interview with Jen Stark

http://www.jenstark.com/

Question:  How did you get into what you do creatively?

Answer:  I've been making art since I was very small. The beginning of the paper sculptures happened in the south of France, Aix-en-Provence. I decided to study abroad there for a semester during college, so I brought 2 suitcases full of clothes and decided to purchase art supplies in France. The Euro was very high so when I went into the art store I decided to buy one of the cheapest materials, but one that had potential. I purchased an assorted color stack of construction paper and began experimenting in my studio. Eventually I began turning them into 3-dimensional sculptures.

Question:  Do you think that you would be able to teach what you do?

Answer:  Yes I could.......but I'm not sure I'd want to just yet.

Question:  What inspires you?

Answer:  I’m inspired by all types of things, from plants to outerspace, microscopic designs in nature, color and mystery. I am also inspired by artists like, Tom Friedman and Andy Goldsworthy.

Question:  What do you do to get into your creative zone?

Answer:  I like to listen to music and look at inspirational things....like cool images or other artwork that I like. I also do a lot of sketches to get ideas.

Question:  What is your favorite accomplishment?

Answer:  A grant (South Florida Cultural Consortium) that I received last year. Also right now I have an animation up at MOCA (north miami)....my first piece in a MOCA exhibition.

Question:  Do you ever create hidden meanings or messages in your work? Explain.

Answer:  Yes sometimes. A few times I have put secret messages or things inside some of the sculptures.....inside hollow areas or in between paper layers. Its fun to know there is something there that no one else can see.....maybe someday someone will open the sculpture up and discover these things.

Question:  Do you enjoy sharing your work with others or do you prefer to go unnoticed? Why?

Answer:  Yes. I like sharing my work with others. I think that's why most people create artwork in the first place.

Question:  Do you pay attention to others' strong reactions to your work? Does that affect what you create?

Answer:  I love when people are awed or inspired by my work. I always try to out-do what I last created and try to 'wow' the viewer every time I create a new piece.

Question:  Who do you define as a visionary?

Answer:  Hmmm. Good question. I guess people like Albert Einstein, Galileo, Martin Luther King. People that thought differently and wanted to show other people the 'truth'. A better way to live and see life.

Question:  If your creative work were edible, what would it taste like?

Answer:  An explosion of fruity sweet cake flavors with psychedelic ooze!

Interview with Alex

Recycled futuristic art objects High tech science fiction arts gallery

First, I did not have any television to distract me (like today) and asked
myself what creative Hobby can I do based on my current personal
development/knowledge. Few months later I came across the first computer
where inside I found the parts which awakened my imagination, I knew right
away that's the right thing.

More and more computer parts I found, they would fit together in my
creations like the LEGO blocks (played much with it in my childhood).

Inspiration comes automatically when I have the feeling that I can do
something, that means I already have all the parts needed to start the
work.
I don't envision how or what I'm going to build, it unveil itself during
the creation, it is enough to find the "starting piece" and I know which
direction to take. Music and a Heart full of love of what you do can be
helpful to keep the inspiration on the constant level.

The possibility to achieve unexpected results in creativity is that what
fascinated me, if I did followed my inner sense, there was only one
possible way to create particular piece from available material I had,
since I was very limited with available parts.
Finding the right parts is what I cannot explain, I would found myself at
the right time at the right place, let's say somebody replacing the
computers in their office/store or just found them dumped at the building
corner.

The final creation form of the artwork is the actual hidden message,
because the parts I used were like they have been dedicated for it,
otherwise I don't have any other explanation. If there is any hidden
meanings or symbolic it unveil itself at my surprise!

Every piece I created is my favorite accomplishment more or less and this
is what gives me strong feeling of fulfillment.

Other thing what fascinates me are the mysteries behind Lost civilizations
and the unknown Universe, somehow the art is all about it.

My work presentation is freely available on the internet, but I'm not
active on the local level. I did get positive comments constantly but I
stopped doing this art couple years ago.
It may be possible to teach about my work in form of arts and crafts but
nothing more.

About the visionary, definitely Nikola Tesla, his work was all about
energy generation and frequency. Keep in mind to understand Tesla's
knowledge, you have to spend years attending Electrical University and
still not get close to it, but where did he get his knowledge?

I wouldn't say may work may be edible since it represents some energy
form, but if you really, really want to make it edible, taste it like
"energy bar".

To give you a sense of the energy, try to imitate "Sirius Angel" with your
body, stretch your hands with palms upright (fingers straight and
together) while standing and keeping legs close together. Tilt your head
lightly back facing the sky, close your eyes. Turn on your "inner lights"
and what you can feel, it's like the whole universe is in front of you and
nothing else in between. That's unexpected result what fascinates me and
tells me that's the right form of accomplishment.