|
|
Experienced Artist Makes Art An Experience
|
By Melissa James
Former Rings & Things Staff
Unlike the one in Oz, this metal man has plenty of heart. Kurt Madison, resident Art Clay™ Silver (ACS) expert at Rings & Things, has spent 25 years creating works that strikingly capture his affection for the arts. His pieces contain value beyond aesthetics; they are thought-provoking, unconventional and uniquely inspired. The Wisconsin native made his first piece of jewelry in 6th-grade art class, which influenced him to learn forging, raising and smithing in high school. Kurt's early fascination with metals would lead to a rich, diverse career in art. His chock-full resume includes:
- Managing ornamental gardens and woodlands in Scotland
- Painting school murals in Texas
- Designing glass art in Chicago
- Working with the Museum of Natural History in New York
- Teaching drawing in Washington state
|
Kurt Madison faces off with another metal man (actually a runner statue) at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane, WA.
|
His formal artistic studies began with a fine-arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, completed in 1976. His work there included metalsmithing, sculpture, drawing and lithography. He later studied philosophy at Chisholme Institute in Scotland, before earning a master's degree in sculpture from Tyler School of Art at Philadelphia's Temple University in 1987. Kurt didn't truly find his muse until a couple of years later, when he met artist Margot Casstevens. The pair wed in 1991 and went into business together, opening what is now known as Punctum Studios. "It has been a whirlwind of art, travel and family ever since," he said. Their studio and son have accompanied them around the country.
Art Clay Silver came into their studio in 2000, and both artists have created some well-known and even award-winning pieces with the material. In 2003, Kurt began working for Rings & Things after discussing metal clays with owner Russ Nobbs. He took on the role of getting customers started with ACS and answering their questions, both by phone and in R&T's online forum. That same year, Kurt became an official ACS Master Instructor. He now teaches workshops to help others gain various levels of ACS certification. He also leads courses in stained-glass creation and design, drawing, introduction to art, mold making and sculpture. While making art is his passion, Kurt also enjoys sharing his knowledge with other artists: "I subscribe to the theory that too much information is not enough," he said. "I can go on [sharing information] for about 4 hours, off the cuff, without taking a break."
|
Philosophy and Inspiration
|
One of Kurt's sources of inspiration has been his overseas travel. In addition to two years living in Scotland, he's been to Turkey, Italy and Japan.
"Something that's not as prominent in North America is the contrast between old and new. In Istanbul, you can stand in one place and see a 1st century Roman aqueduct, a 9th century mosque, an 18th century palace and a 20th century skyscraper in one view," he said. "In Scotland, the character of age and contemporary mix is also fairly striking."
"I don't want you to
think 'x.' I just want
you to think. Once
[people] have interacted
with the work, they'll
think something
different."
|
He refers to this phenomenon as "the juxtaposition of tradition vs. innovation," and said he could see its influence in his sculpture, metalwork and garden work." Even the name of his modern studio is rooted in an ancient word. He came upon the Latin term "punctum" in a Roland Barthes book called Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography.
Figuratively, "punctum is what you will feel and remember about an art piece that you can't translate into words," said Kurt. Literally, it means to pierce, wound or touch. In the same sense, Punctum Studios aspires to make art that moves you.
Ideas are his favorite subject matter to portray. Kurt's work has an underlying ideological commentary but never an agenda. "I don't want you to think 'x.' I just want you to think," he said. "Once [people] have interacted with the work, they'll think something different. They may hate the work, but they'll be moved." For this reason, keeping the idea/conceptual base is what Kurt identifies as the most important lesson he's learned as an artist.
"You need to find a way to not undercut your original inspiration; don't make it different just so you can afford it," he said.
|
Kurt's Creations
|
A science fiction junkie, Kurt's favorite pieces involve concepts from books and movies. His all-time favorite is a large pin called "Found Object." It is based on William Gibson novel All Tomorrow's Parties, which states, "Every object of desire is a found object." These words are visible around the rim of the piece, which is made of raised copper, a pierced computer chip board, a forged iron pin stem, plus found objects, silver and glass. It took years to design and a couple of months to create.
Another memorable piece is "Lost Memories," honorable mention winner in Art Clay Silver's "Fond Memories" 2003 Silver Accessories Contest. The pin successfully blends dichroic glass, porcelain and pearls with silver in Kurt's impressionistic interpretation of the film Blade Runner. It too displays a quotation, lifted from the end of the movie: "All of these moments will be lost in time like tears in the rain." It measures 4x4x0.75"."
|
Honorable-mention winning pin "Lost Memories."
|
Both "Found Object" and "Lost Memories" are in the spirit of the half-century-old art jewelry movement. Kurt has also made jewelry in collaboration with other designers. The stunning necklace shown below (which sold for a handsome sum last winter) was created alongside artist Chris Chorvat. It's composed of borosilicate glass and ACS 650 overlay paste, which Kurt says is especially compatible with glass.
|
Art Clay™ Silver
|
Borosilicate glass necklace, created in collaboration with
artist Chris Chorvat.
|
Art Clay Silver is a powdered fine silver mixed with nontoxic binders and water. When kiln or torch fired, the binders burn away to leave pure, 99.9% silver. This product is especially revolutionary for glass artists because it provides a direct working material, allowing artists to fire metal and glass simultaneously. While many artists love to work metal into their pieces, the mechanics of bezels, screws, nuts, bolts, glue and soldering can make the creative process feel more like an engineering mission. Art Clay Silver removes the technicalities and leaves the technique, giving artists a more design-creative process.
Kurt describes ACS as "extremely easy to improvise," providing "a broad way of working." He said he finds the high success rates exciting, and he stresses the art of experimentation, or as he calls it, "the experimentiverse." ACS offers countless possibilities, giving each artist the opportunity to take it in a new direction.
What's the most important thing to know when working with ACS? "Keeping the moisture balance," Kurt said. "Make deadly sure it's dry before you fire it!"
This silver-tongued artist answers all your ACS questions in the ACS section of R&T's user-friendly forum. You can also check to see if Kurt is teaching a class at Rings & Things anytime soon.
|
|
