<![CDATA[Alex McDermott

<![CDATA[Alex McDermott - Blog]]>Mon, 21 Mar 2022 22:05:50 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Poetic thoughts for March 17th]]>Sat, 16 Mar 2019 09:41:39 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/poetic-things-for-march-17th

]]><![CDATA[Old Friends]]>Tue, 15 Jan 2019 07:49:27 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/some-men-are-just-not-worth-the-application-of-mascaraYesterday I received a call from an old friend in California. Such a fantastic surprise to have someone you lost contact with reach out of the blue and call!

Cory Stein and I met at Pilchuck Glass School and took a crazy one day road trip off campus. I adore her thought process, hilarious stories and unique situational observations. Her work is delightfully introspective with detail in seed beading.
We must get together soon!

Corey Stein, American Indian Market Beadwork

]]><![CDATA[It’s been a while -still desire to create. To take a chance, break free and do my own thing.... The question lurks in my thoughts 24/7.]]>Mon, 14 Jan 2019 07:55:01 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/its-been-a-while-still-desire-to-create-to-take-a-chance-break-free-and-do-my-own-thing-the-question-lurks-in-my-thoughts-247I must reassure myself all the time... This weekend I was affirmed, I create interesting beautiful things people desire.. perhaps I’ll post my work; yet for now....

]]><![CDATA[My latest obsession]]>Sun, 07 Oct 2018 08:19:19 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/my-latest-obsessionNetflix, Abstract. The designers telling their story, and the dialogue of creativity.

]]><![CDATA[I predicted it in my Kusama post... Musuem of Selfies in LA, and Musuem of Ice cream in NY]]>Wed, 03 Oct 2018 06:10:01 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/i-predicted-it-museum-of-selfie-coming-to-la-ny-ice-cream-museumThe latest sign of the continuing decline of Western civilization just might be the Museum of Selfies. Scheduled to touch down in Los Angeles for a limited run this spring, it’s the latest in a growing line of interactive exhibitions designed for maximum social media impact, à la the controversial Museum of Ice Cream.
“It’s just not a museum OF selfies, it’s also a museum ABOUT them,” enthuses the institution’s website, which acknowledges the love/hate relationship many of us have with the increasingly ubiquitous selfie. Founders Tair Mamedov and Tommy Honton are the two “responsible/to blame” for the burgeoning museum phenomena, according to the site. -Art.net.com. Sarah Cascone

]]><![CDATA[Today, the world swallowed me whole]]>Tue, 18 Sep 2018 06:33:48 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/today-the-world-swallowed-wholeTime to start making my affirmation mirrors. The idea is sandblasting the edges of a round mirror with, “You are kind- You are loved- You are beautiful”. I don’t know if the idea would be lucrative, because I’d just want to give them away to people.

“The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places” - Hemingway

Ophelia- John Everett Millais

]]><![CDATA[Touring the LA art scene]]>Sat, 08 Sep 2018 21:22:40 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/touring-the-la-art-sceneThis summer I took a trip to LA with the sole purpose to stand in the shadows of some amazing artwork.

Hit the Getty Villa, the Getty museum and the Broad. In a dream like state, I toured antiquities from the Villa, studied the brush strokes of Van Gogh, Monet and Franz von Stuck at the Getty museum.

Then, took a quick walk around the Broad. The Broad has more contemporary works by Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Koons. One of my favorite pieces was a completely unexpected painting by John Baldesssari, “Tips for artists Who Want To Sell”. Totally hilarious!

Thank you Brian.... Now the pictures! (The last two are marble sculptures by Rodin and Canova.

]]><![CDATA[10 minutes of absurd suicidal philosophy]]>Mon, 25 Jun 2018 00:41:06 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/10-minutes-of-absurd-suicidal-philosophyand this is why I love to create.... I don’t have to think, just feel- which is sometimes equally depressing. Maybe I read too much Poe in my childhood...

]]><![CDATA[Instant Karma]]>Fri, 01 Jun 2018 08:34:51 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/instant-karma

Today I was reminded that karma sometimes doesn’t happen in this lifetime. Most people desire that... sometimes I get caught up into that mindset, yet I try not to smash bugs and remember that only differences come from misperception.

]]><![CDATA[Working yet still have my hands in the art world]]>Fri, 13 Oct 2017 04:54:04 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/working-yet-still-have-my-hands-in-the-art-worldBeen working a lot yet still found time to do art.... Yet in different ways! Got into body painting- just for a spell. And now I'll take the fifth!

]]><![CDATA[8/31/2017]]>Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:42:14 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/august-31st-2017

]]><![CDATA[The future of art..... But first let us take a selfie]]>Sat, 26 Aug 2017 01:31:30 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/the-future-of-art-but-first-let-us-take-a-selfieIn digesting what went wrong during my recent trip to SAM, I thought back to a Ted Talks I watched few months ago- It's about the future of art.
Link below:

https://youtu.be/8DLNFDQt8Pc

When did art become a social media experience? When did we stop enjoying standing in front of a piece of art IN SOLITUDE to enjoy the feeling that it gave us without "sharing"?
I really don't know what that answer is, however it's sad. It's like people want an experience, just to say they did that. I just wanted to take it in for what it is, to think about the work, the craft and the emotions it evokes.

The Kumama exhibit was pre loaded for the viewer not to enjoy. The wait lines, coupled with the minimal time in the rooms due to the actual size of them and the crowds making it impossible to just take it in and enjoy. You better take a photo so you can remember it later. I talked to a few people who expressed the same disappointment- we all were expecting to walk into large rooms, perhaps sit/lay down and let your mind go blank, like viewing the night sky. Instead it turned into an Instagram fest!

Was this a marketing ploy from the artist?

Truthfully, Ian and I had a better experience touring the rest of SAM, we took our time to read about the work, we stood in front of the Pollock and examined the globs of paint and the craftsmanship of the Egyptian amulet details. We didn't feel the need to bust out our phones camera.

Perhaps I've turned anti social, I don't really do Facebook, Tweet or Instagram. I have my website with my art and thoughts, if people want to check out my corner of the universe. I'm not "linked" to anything so you have a conscious choice if you wanna drink my vodka laced Kool-Aid.. If you enjoy the website you'll come back, if not- you don't. I despise Facebook for the simple fact it pushes others agenda onto you- Yet, a fantastic marketing set up! I intentionally do not accept comments on my blog page because I don't what to be influenced positively or negatively by others.

If you were to ask me what the future of art is.....
I'd say, an artist that creativity comes up with a completely interactive absurd concept/attraction that can be a social media buzz worthy. (Free advertising) Have some kind of personal dialog about it; however farm it out for other artists to make. Then, like Kumama and her pumpkins, sell small portions of your installation for inflated prices.

Didn't we learn anything from the movie "Exit through the Gift Shop?"

]]><![CDATA[Kumama Kaos- I drank the Kool Aid]]>Fri, 25 Aug 2017 06:12:21 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/kumama-kaosThis morning my son and I decided to hit the the Yayai Kumama exhibit at SAM. As excepted, it was packed and almost sold out with all the hype about her work from the New York art scene. I even thought it'd be good! (Sorry to anyone who read a few blog posts back and went to it.)

Total Rubbish!

A friend from Chicago had pegged it perfectly when he said- "you're going to an expensive carnival funhouse of mirrors."

A scam... The 12' X 12' rooms consisted of fully mirrored sized dressing rooms... Inside was lit objects that reflected in the mirrors. Ummm.... that was it.. and we waited in lines for 20 minutes for each room, to spend 20 seconds in them. (Two people at a time) The photos below make it look super cool- don't be fooled!

A room filled with polka dot objects and another with lit glass pumpkins. The glass pumpkins reminded me of A Seattle Glass Blowers Seconds Sale- remixed in a mirrored closet. (We all know about the rarity of glass pumpkins in this area 😉) Pilchuck/Schack take note- a new revenue source!

One of the last rooms we were handed stickers to make an "interactive sticker room" - save your money and go to the gum wall! (@ pike place market) You have no rules with the gum wall, no chaperones telling what to do; and it's a little more edgy & dirty cause you don't wanna touch it; except to hang your mark of saliva filled gum, maybe take a pic, and get the fuck away from it.

In conclusion: Save your money, for about $100 you can mirror your closest/bathroom and hang LED lighting from the local craft store. Then invite your friends to come hang in your high brow art infinity closet. Don't forget the mirrored disco ball!

]]><![CDATA[Dreams- those little slices of death]]>Tue, 22 Aug 2017 03:46:40 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/dreams-those-little-slices-of-deathMany surrealist that came from the nonsensical Dada art movement tried to explore their minds in different states of unconscious and alternate realities; be it childhood memories, dreams or in a hypnotic trance while creating..

Which frankly made for some kick ass fantastically weird art...

The magic of creating for myself is defined, by having your mind open to every aspect you are feeling at that very moment. Letting your unconsciousness being the fluidity of the process- every artist I believe knows what I'm talking about- it's "the zone".
Creation... It's powerful sensation when happening; and has been an alluring mystery to many neurologists.

Below are two of my favorite works by Max Ernest- a "grow house" of concepts in visual arts and poetry. His work later influenced the abstract expressionism movement. (Rothko, Pollock)

Footnote* Ernest was married to Dorothea Tanning, her painting I've kept on my "random interesting things page" I love the image of her walking bravely bare chested through the doors of perception with a kelp skirt. (Of course theres more reasons why I love that particular painting... However, will not divulge!)

]]><![CDATA[Perception is not all what you think...]]>Mon, 21 Aug 2017 07:11:20 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/perception-is-not-all-what-you-thinkRene Magritte, a surrealist painter explored the psychological aspects of images.
He was known for his "treachery of images" and the more famous painting "Son of Man"

The "Treachery of Images" consisted of objects that were not real, because they were merely a painting of the image of an object. It's about perception, including "Son of Man".- Magritte purposely hid the face, knowing the viewer would be more interested.

It's in our DNA to prefer ambiguity rather than the obvious, since reveling our preconditioned perceptions of reality gives unexpected results.

Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see." - Rene Magritte

and for just today... let the sun be hidden by the moon for your enjoyment! 😊

]]><![CDATA[Armed with a cheap bottle of Champagne- I'll attempt to blog like Hemingway...]]>Thu, 17 Aug 2017 03:52:14 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/with-a-cheap-bottle-of-champagne-ill-attempt-to-blog-like-hemingwayHe spoke the truth filtering out nonsense into few words...

And for my female peeps, since I have the video of girls to entertain men...

I invented a new product for Sephora.

It's called-
"the Polyamorous Man Sampler Pack".
Yes ladies, this pack of 5 men has a variety colors to choose from- "nudes" to "glittered gents"
And of course.... I've made them disposable because we don't want boredom and commitment. Who needs last seasons guy when there's a fresh one in the pack?

Why yes... I'm jaded; you give men your heart, they don't want it- a allegorical slap in the face- and they adore you! (Non violence)
What gives?

Below is my invention- plus bonus footage of a glittered gent that I wish I could borrow his pantsuit and fashion sense!

]]><![CDATA[Behind the gilding]]>Mon, 14 Aug 2017 19:55:06 GMThttp://www.alexmcdermott.com/blog/behind-the-gilding
Today I was asked how the piece I was working on turned out.

With slight hesitation I texted back... "The piece has a little crack in it... It cracked in the finishing process, I'm very disappointed ... it's not something I'm going to send off to be sold...... However I am finishing it!"

At that moment, I realized, as upset I was about the crack... I didn't want to disregard the process just because the piece didn't turn out how I desired it to be. Things are never perfect in life or what you expect or envisioned them to be; why should the making of art be any different?

My solution- find acceptance, and appreciate the piece for what it is and how much time I have devoted to it...
Then... Apply a generous amount of gold enamel to cover up the crack!
No one will know what is under the gold enamel except you- and there is beauty in that, you are the only one that has that intimate knowledge of that piece.

I wanted to capture the alluring qualities of how light interacts with glass. The glass shards remind me of quartz crystals and the fantastic surprise cracking open a geode.

]]>