Isaac Williams--Craft Matching Content: Part II

As I watch Zeke work, it is evident that his mantra lies where high craft matches content. Only a man as passionate as he could carefully show me how to thread a needle while intricately explaining what it means in his grand installation. Zeke finds his inspiration in basic concepts like concrete cracks on the sidewalk and trash in a garbage can, as well as in complex content found in literature and on the internet. However, as Zeke simply states it, “talking out the idea helps develop it,” thus his discussions with colleagues, friends and family are the true catalysts to bringing his artwork to life.

Although he has been educated in both Printmaking and Book & Paper Arts, Zeke’s work has evolved over time to slowly diverge away from printmaking altogether. His current goal in his artwork is to integrate 2D and 3D sculpture in order to create a richer image and a “layered art experience.” With “Husk,” the dining room is not only portrayed as a place of consumption but as a domestic space that “hits close to home” and creates a personal connection within each viewer. “How do you get people to relate to your art?” is one question Zeke is always asking himself, and that question has lead to his dream of eventually creating an entire house-worth of installations to accompany his lone dining room.

Time is definitely not a constraint for Zeke, considering “Husk” originally took him seven full days to assemble for his MFA thesis! Instead, he approaches art by “reacting to materials, dreaming up ideas, and just getting out and doing it,” (similar to the Fluxus method coined by artist George Maciunas.) No matter how many complications arise, Zeke is in it for the long-haul.

With respect to future art happenings, Zeke likes to “follow the trail that gets laid out in front of [him].” In addition to making artist books that are shipped across the country, Zeke is currently figuring out ways to make his art more public by breaking through gallery boundaries. Already having a broad range of followers, he hopes to continue attracting a diverse fan base.

If you want to discuss your ideas of “Husk” or life in general with Zeke, be sure to attend the gallery reception for the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” exhibit on October 11th from 2-4 pm at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.

This is Kristina signing out…again.

Isaac Williams--Craft Matching Content: Part I

You could never imagine the contents of an entire room suspended from yarn until you see the magic of Isaac Williams’ environment puppet coming to life right here at the Noyes Cultural Art Center. As a part of the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” exhibit, “Husk” takes the craft of handmade paper and the fertile content of a family dining room to an unprecedented level by creating an installation filled with subtle hints and undertones of consumption and consumerism.

Isaac Williams, or “Zeke” as he likes to be called, was born and raised traditionally in the Midwest with chores like setting up the dinner table every night for his family. It’s that place of communion that has inspired his latest installation. From dinnerware to chairs to a hutch, all of the installation’s pieces come together as a hanging static display and are intended to be manipulated by viewers over time, thus giving them the ability to “make the artwork happen.” The piece is even topped off with a delicate framing to resemble a hanging work of art.

Consumption being one of its main themes, “Husk” depicts a basic place of unity where so many people gather to dine. Zeke makes these themes as subtle as possible, however. For example, the dining table fits together like a puzzle of continents and bodies of water to represent a globe of the world. This along with other abstractions within Zeke’s creation allows the viewers’ imagination to run wild.

Interested in these alterations of reality, Zeke decided to take up installations as his artistic passion for a number of reasons. He believes the content comes across better and that the overall environment confronts and speaks to people more. The art industry is constantly competing with high levels of mainstream entertainment like movie theatres and amusement parks, so installing an environment makes Zeke him feel like he is bringing people back to the gallery for a unique experience. The interactive factor of his artwork additionally provides a lasting impact in the viewer’s memory.

If you’re up the challenge, experience this for yourself from September 18th to November 11th at the Noyes Cultural Art Center. The Gallery reception for “Rock, Paper, Scissors” will be held on October 11th from 2-4 pm as a kickoff to Evanston’s Annual Arts Week.

This is Kristina signing out…

Kellogg Brings Fountains of Wayne for Centennial Global Arts Festival

So, it seems that Northwestern University has a little crush on the Grammy Nominated band Fountains of Wayne. Not only does the Marching Band pound out their #1 hit “Stacy’s Mom” at every chance it gets, but Fountains of Wayne will soon be performing at Fountain Square this October 4th for the Kellogg Centennial Global Arts Festival (KCGAF).


A prelude to Evanston’s upcoming Arts Week, the KCGAF will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Founded on October 5, 1908, the former Northwestern School of Commerce has “[created] leaders in a culture of innovation and collaboration.” Renowned throughout the global business community, Kellogg stands as the #4 buisness school in the nation. The university hopes that “these events will represent the school's mission and raise visibility for the Kellogg School both in the United States and abroad.” Well with a main stage act like Fountains of Wayne, Kellogg is sure to make a few eye-brows raise within the next few weeks.

Formed in 1996 by Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, Fountains of Wayne was made famous through their aforementioned hit “Stacy’s Mom.” While that single was eventually certified gold, they’ve never reached the number one spot on the Billboard Charts. It has been reported, however, that Elton John called the group to tell them he thought their 1999 album Utopia Parkway “was great.” Now that’s recognition. Schlesinger is no stranger to this, however. He has won awards for writing songs in movies such as That Thing You Do! and Music and Lyrics and is currently in the studio working with Dashboard Confessional for their new album due out in early 2009.

Along with Fountains of Wayne, Chicago folk rock singer Michael McDermott and local band Down the Line will be performing at KCGAF. The festival will also feature crafts and children's entertainment during the day with a performance by Baby Loves Disco. All Kellogg alumni and their families, students, and the Evanston community are invited to join in on the festivities. Best part? It’s free.

So, with no reason not to go, please join us on October 4th from 11:00-8:00pm at Fountain Square to celebrate and rock out at the Kellogg Centennial Global Arts Festival.
Plus! Don’t forget to go to the many other events in association with Evanston’s Arts Week!

- L.A.U.R.E.N.

Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot! - Paulsrud Rocks Noyes

Pamela Paulsrud, a Wilmette native, stands atop a ladder staring pensively at a wall of stones. With one small pebble in her hand and mounting clay in the other, any passerby could think she was playing an elaborate game, or perhaps even decorating our stylish white walls. However, as you draw nearer, it becomes clear that what Paulsrud is creating is no game or decoration, but a beautiful poem crafted of out small stones and written . . . in brail.

Part of an instillation entitled “Rock, Paper, Scissors” that opens October 11th at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Paulsrud’s creation is modeled after her brother’s poem, “When You See the Soil.” The poem expands on what Paulsrud calls the stewardship of the earth and explains how humanity is failing to take care of its precious world. “Until the vision is felt inside, the eyes, the brain, the hand can’t see,” say the tiny rocks on the wall. Paulsrud chose to display the poem in brail to show how we as society don’t really “see” the true earth. “I’ve always been intrigued by the ability to communicate beyond the message encoded in the text,” explains Paulsrud, and this piece surely bridges that boundary.

A lifelong artist, Paulsrud got the idea for this piece from her greatest inspiration – nature. “I feel myself drawn to nature,” says Paulsrud, “my artwork [and] my life [are] informed and inspired by both the inner and outer landscape.” By taking long walks on the beach, riding her bike through the forest, and meditating on hilltops, Paulsrud connects with the land to uncover her next artistic creation.

Paulsrud also specializes in papermaking and book altering, interweaving designs of cymatics into both. “Cymatics [are a] sound wave phenomena,” describes Paulsrud on her website (www.pamelapaulsrud.com). She is involved, too, with an on-going project called Tree Whispers that collects handmade paper with stories about trees written on them and then builds them back into tree like shapes.

We are all very excited to see Paulsrud’s finished product. Personally, this entire exhibit is my favorite installation that we have had at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. This installation is running from September 18th through November 11th. So come out to the reception for “Rock, Paper, Scissors” on Saturday, October 11th from 2:00 to 4:00pm to see it all in action!


- L.A.U.R.E.N.