retreatfromharm.org

Show at UMass

Lisa — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:27:15 +0000

From the Faces of Hope art exhibition at UMass.

The Scab Nation Project & Faces of Hope Update

Lisa — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:37:32 +0000

Hampden Gallery | Incubator Project Space | University of Massachusetts Amherst

October 15 to November 12, 2009

www.umass.edu/fac/hampden
www.lisaludwig.com
www.retreatfromharm.org

The Scab Nation Project is an art installation about our Nation healing. It is constructed of four main parts. Scab Painting, Limb Orchard, Reflecting Pool, and Reflection Dioramas. Each piece is an mini project of its own.

The Reflection Pool is an interactive sculpture that houses water inside, so you can rest and reflect into the water. You can sit or lay on it like a large rock at the beach. When you look into the water, you see a reflection of an overhead ceiling painting. It is titled the Faces of Hope. It is inspired from healing pools of long ago. When sick, one would lay by the pool hoping to be healed by an angel in their sleep. The ceiling painting is merged images of women named Hope, that allowed me to use their face image. Here I am creating a ghostly, spiritual image of an angel. She is reminding us that Hope is not only a name but is something within all of us. While reflecting on this image you can see your own reflection, connecting every one of us. When this happens the piece is completed.

Thanks to the involvement of these beautiful women, I am allowed to see my creative vision through. I “hope” in the future more Hopes will be involved so the painting can grow and evolve.

I want this art sculpture to lead us in conversation of how we can make our world a better place, in Hope of our Nation Healing.

Thank you,
Lisa Ludwig

Faces of Hope

Lisa — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:01:40 +0000

What’s in a name?

For a very special project, I am collecting faces of Hope. I believe that collective hope is a shared feeling, but that it can be transposed to the literal for a visual aid. If we can see faces of hope, what can we create?

Hope {n.} the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

If your name is Hope and you wish to participate, please email a head-shot photograph to retreatfromharm@gmail.com.

By submitted a photograph to this email address, you are giving me permission to use your image in an upcoming art installation.

Please check back frequently for updates on this project.

Sit I Zen

Lisa — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:42:35 +0000

Philosophy
In our near future, if we have all citizens knowing their rights, less destruction of our constitution
can prevail.
Practicing our freedom is the only way one can have freedom.
Instead of living in fear- which is living without liberty, we should take more time to be thankful for our freedoms, and
a clear understanding of them.
I am using the concept Sit I Zen for this painting.
A play off of the word citizen.
One meaning of the term Zen is to experience reality.
Zen to me has always held a certain silly factor.
Being able to laugh at our mistakes can allow us to be more humble in fixing them.

Theory
I want to create a precious surface without to much closure to the painting.
In the sitting,shadowed figure I want the viewer to feel it can be them. Indirectly diminishing the sense of the individual and embracing the community/ collective.
The figure is life size.
The lantern becomes my focus/canvas, which represents the pursuit of happiness.
I am using the sitting/seated figure as used in our cultures symbolism- thoughtful reflection
As the “shadow” an impression/ reflection of ourselves.
The lantern is raised to help guide us to our future.

Process
I am working with acrylic paint on paper.
The paper is gessoed then stretched to have a flat surface.

Retreat from Harm

Lisa — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:41:25 +0000

Retreat from Harm
Is about the philosophy, theory and process of a visual artist.

In the past, my art has been “considering the threat”:
negative sale advertisements, “class” insurgents, and the fear tactics played out toward citizens, etc.
And I have tried to learn positive lessons from these.
Mainly, not to be a victim.
I have made visual art to challenge the viewer to take heed of their surroundings.
To make way for present possibilities.
This process was an easy one for me. We all know what the negative looks like,
we all work hard to see the positive out-looks of life.

Today I am ready to follow up those lessons and uncover the possibilities of our future.
I will be sharing my thoughts during my art process.
My process is to look at the world as I am. Point Blank. What do I see?
My work has often had an undertone of the negative. As an artist I used my work as an outlet to sort through the images and information given to me as a citizen.
Then I work it out.
Part of my responsibilities as an Artist is to show the viewer how to see things in a “new light”. (examples: Michelangelo’s ”David” /Oldenburg’s public art “Clothespin”/ Andy Warhol’s “Soup Cans” ) Throughout art history this is what Artist do. This is why art creates culture. The artist reviewing life’s moments, recording human activity, etc. help us better understand our society.
With a better understanding of which we live in, new ideas are possible.
My new process will continue from my existing end, and begin to make shape of our future.
I am offering and encouraging thoughtful reflection.
I know that we all have different interpretations of what we see.
I want to discuss the connections.
This blog is created for those of you who would like to engage in the possibilities.