Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

16
1 ARTS INDUSTRY RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS

description

Brochure outlining the Arts/Industry residency program shared between the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Kohler Company.

Transcript of Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

Page 1: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

1

arts industryresidency Program for artists

Page 2: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

2

Page 3: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

3

Cover: Arts/Industry artist Jim Neel (AL) opens a mold in the Kohler Co. Pottery, 2009.

These pages: A docent-led tour group explores Jim Neel’s installation, Babel (vitreous china, with audio), at the Arts Center, 2010.

Page 4: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

4

This page: Brooklyn artist Ann Agee at work on the Sheboygan

Men’s Room, one of six artist-made washrooms at the Arts Center, 1998.

Opposite: Jack Earl of Ohio, the first Arts/Industry artist in 1974, during

his second residency in the Pottery in 1976.

This page: Ann Agee (NJ) works on her Sheboygan Men’s Room, one of six washrooms at the Arts Center made by artists in Arts/Industry, 1998.

Opposite: Jack Earl (OH), who, as lead artist, helped to define the Arts/Industry program in 1974, is shown here refining a slip-cast clay form during a second residency in 1976.

Page 5: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

5

arts/industry: tHe story of a most unusuaL coLLaBoration

In 1973, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center

opened an eagerly anticipated exhibition titled

The Plastic Earth, an unprecedented survey of

contemporary American ceramic sculpture. Most

important, the exhibition heralded the beginning

of a collaboration between art and industry.

The Plastic Earth was sponsored by Kohler Co.

as part of its centennial celebration. At the exhi-

bition’s opening, the Arts Center and the com-

pany collaborated on a seminar that brought

many of the exhibiting artists for discussions and

demonstrations of the industrial technologies.

The seminar paved the way for the Arts Center’s

Arts/Industry program, which began in 1974

with a four-week pilot residency in the Kohler

Co. Pottery with artists Jack Earl (OH) and Tom

LaDousa (LA). Earl and LaDousa worked twelve- to

sixteen-hour days producing 120 witty sculptures

fashioned from plumbingware fixtures that they

cut apart and reassembled.

A spirited and controversial exhibition of the

major works led to a lively exchange among

ceramists across the country in “Letters to the

Editor” of Ceramics Monthly magazine. An un-

expected deep rapport that grew between the

artists and industrial associates proved crucial

for the future. The residency was so rewarding

for all involved that Earl and LaDousa were in-

vited to return late in 1974.

Because of the success of these activities, the

Arts Center was asked by the American Craft

Council to host a conference on the subject

in 1975. More than 150 artists participated in

intensive panel discussions and workshops in

six Sheboygan County industries: Bemis Mfg.,

Kohler Co., Nemschoff Chairs, Thonet Industries,

Vollrath Co., and Wigwam Mills. That conference

led, in turn, to a collaboration between two fiber

artists and Wigwam Mills.

In 1976, eight artists under the leadership of

Jack Earl participated in six-week to four-month

residencies at Kohler Co. The artists worked

primarily in the Pottery but made occasional for-

ays into the Enamel Shop where they enameled

cast-iron discards. Over the next eight years, six

to eight artists participated annually in summer

residencies in the Pottery. In addition, in 1978

and 1981 the Arts Center developed intense

two-week technical workshops devoted to mold

making and slip casting. Nearly 50 artists partici-

pated in each workshop.

Many artists expressed interest in year-round

residencies up to six months long. That became

a reality in 1984. Since then, approximately

sixteen artists have been in residence annually.

The year-round schedule has allowed greater

flexibility for artists and the opportunity to

undertake large-scale public art as well as a

continued emphasis on the exploration of new

forms and new ways of thinking. In the late 1980s,

extensive involvement in iron, brass, and enam-

el began. Since 1974, over 500 resident artists

have utilized the vast resources of Kohler Co.

Among them are Christina Antemann, Willie

Cole, Barbara Cooper, Kim Cridler, Martha

Glowacki, John Himmelfarb, Tom Joyce, Joyce

Kozloff, Beth Lipman, Ken Little, Arnoldo

Morales, Richard Notkin, Sandy Skogland, Tom

Spleth, and Tetsuya Yamada.

Page 6: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

6

Page 7: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

7

JoHn micHaeL KoHLer arts center

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center and

Kohler Co. share the name Kohler as well as a

deep commitment to the support of artists from

around the world through Arts/Industry. The Arts

Center is, however, an independent nonprofit

organization established in 1967 by a group of

area residents in an 1882 home built by John

Michael Kohler (thus the Arts Center’s name).

They envisioned a thriving multi-arts complex

that would function as a center of cultural life in

eastern Wisconsin.

In fact, the Arts Center today attracts up to

218,000 visitors annually from throughout the

United States and beyond. It has earned interna-

tional recognition for Arts/Industry, its innovative,

thought-provoking exhibitions, its collection of

the work of artist-environment builders, and an

astonishing range of programming. Philosophi-

cally, the Arts Center is dedicated to bringing

artists and public together in programming that

impacts the lives of both.

Opposite: Michael Sherrill (NC) expanded the potential of enameling on iron for Arts/Industry artists during his 2006 residency.

This page: The washroom titled The Social History of Architecture, created by artist Matt Nolen (NY) for the Arts Center, was named “America’s Best Bathroom” on ABC’s Good Morning America and one of the three best bathrooms in the world on the Travel Channel.

KoHLer co.

Founded in 1873, Kohler Co. has become the

nation’s leading manufacturer of plumbing and

specialty products as well as the third largest

generator manufacturer in the world and a

major producer of four-cycle gasoline and diesel

engines. The company operates a distinguished

interiors business that includes, among others,

Ann Sacks Tile and Stone and furniture makers

Baker, Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. and McGuire Furniture.

Kohler Co. is also renowned for its successful

hospitality businesses: Destination Kohler, home

of The American Club—the Midwest’s only AAA

Five Diamond Resort Hotel—and Destination St.

Andrews in Scotland. Its four championship golf

courses are ranked among the best in the U.S. by

the leading golf publications.

Headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, one of the

earliest planned industrial garden communities in

the country, Kohler Co. is among the oldest and

largest privately held companies in the U.S. Today,

it is truly a global firm, with 51 manufacturing

plants in 16 countries. It employs more than

29,000 associates worldwide, over 6,000 of whom

are located in Sheboygan County.

Page 8: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

8

Page 9: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

9

tHe residency Program

Arts/Industry is often cited as the most unusual

ongoing collaboration between the arts and

industry in the United States. Conceived and

managed by the John Michael Kohler Arts

Center of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the program

is open to artists worldwide. It makes industrial

technologies and facilities available to artists

through long-term residencies, short-term

workshops, tours, and other programming so

that they may further their artistic explorations.

Major funding is provided by Kohler Co.

The primary component of Arts/Industry is a

residency program in the industrial Pottery, Iron

and Brass Foundry, and Enamel Shop of Kohler

Co. Artists have the opportunity to spend two

to six months creating works of art utilizing the

industrial materials and equipment. Participants

are exposed to a body of technical knowledge

that enables them to explore forms and concepts

not possible in their own studios and to undertake

fruitful new ways of thinking and working.

Above: Chris Lo Sze Lim (Hong Kong) (right) receives assistance opening a plaster mold to reveal the leather-hard clay form, 2007.

Opposite: Artist Fred Spaulding (TX) is shown, in the Foundry, enveloped by prototypes and cast components for his sculptures, 2007.

The residency program operates year round to

support approximately sixteen artists annually,

usually four in residence at a time. Participants

may develop a wide variety of work including

but not limited to functional and sculptural

forms, murals and reliefs, temporary or perma-

nent site-specific installations, and public art

commissions.

Artists-in-residence are given studio space

in the factory that generally is accessible 24

hours a day, seven days a week. In addition,

they receive free materials, use of equipment,

technical assistance, photographic services,

housing, round-trip transportation, and, for

American artists, modest honoraria.

Hundreds of emerging and established artists

have benefited from the Arts/Industry program

at Kohler Co. since its inception in 1974.

Page 10: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

10

Page 11: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

11

faciLities and materiaLs

The primary studio space for work in clay is

located in the casting shop of Kohler Co.’s

Pottery, one of the largest potteries in the world.

Artists use a strong, off-white vitreous china

clay which is once-fired in oxidation to 2400°

F (cone 10). A kiln fired to 2100° F (cone 5)

is also available. The clay is superb for slip

casting and carving but is less effective for

throwing and hand building. It is in slip form

(liquid clay) and is piped under pressure to the

artists’ studio space. Artists use plaster to make

molds for slip casting their work. At times, a

limited amount of discarded production molds

and ware can be utilized. Cast pieces can be

assembled in various ways before or after firing.

Artists are encouraged to experiment with the

range of glaze possibilities. Color variations may

be made by adding ceramic stains (no oxides)

to a variety of clear and white glaze bases.

Kohler Co. has an extensive research and de-

velopment laboratory where artists are able to

develop glazes.

The Kohler Co. Foundry allows artists to cast

or free-pour iron shapes. Artists may create

their own patterns and molds, use production

discards, or incorporate scrap metal into their

work. An array of materials is available for

making patterns, including wood, plaster, clay,

metal, urethane, Styrofoam, and found objects.

Artists use resin-bonded sand to make molds

and cores. Ductile and enamel iron is used for

casting. Welding and cutting facilities may also

be used at certain times.

Artists working in the Iron Foundry may have

periodic access to the Brass Die Cast area where

they may cast forms in brass using resin-bonded

sand molds. At times, they may also add sprayed

metal surfaces to the iron. Carpentry shops

may be available periodically for fabricating

supports, patterns, and armatures.

The Enamel Shop allows artists to use enamel

powders directly on red-hot cast iron in single or

multiple applications. The Enamel Shop contains

36 large enameling ovens; artists may schedule

a limited amount of enameling. The Enamels

Laboratory allows artists to experiment with and

test the brilliant vitreous enamels available. Past

artists-in-residence have developed liquid and

paste enamels for use on somewhat cooler iron

and with a variety of stencils and drawing tools.

Arts/Industry provides nearly all materials and

equipment normally used in factory production

free of charge to artists for the creation of their

work. Tools and materials not normally used at

the factory must be approved by the factory and

provided by the artists.

The Arts Center’s technicians and Kohler Co.’s

industrial artisans and engineers provide tech-

nical information and advice to resident artists.

The artists do the actual work themselves.

Assistants are not available unless an artist makes

arrangements with the Arts/Industry coordinator

well before her/his residency begins; in such

cases, the artist-in-residence generally hires and

provides remuneration directly to the assistant

unless an intern is available.

Opposite: Denise Pelletier (CT) finishes hundreds of “feeders” for a large-scale installation.

This page: A Kohler Co. associate pours molten iron into molds for an artist.

Page 12: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

12

eLigiBiLity and guideLines for PreParing a ProPosaL

The Arts/Industry residency program is open

to all emerging and established artists work-

ing in any discipline. Applying artists need

not be trained ceramists or metal sculptors.

However, they must have the capability of

quickly mastering the industrial technologies.

Artists may choose to work in either the

Pottery or the Foundry/Enamel Shop or both.

Not everyone who selects both areas may have

the opportunity to work in both areas because

of space and personnel limitations. Propos-

als are accepted any time although there is a

yearly deadline. Visit the Arts Center’s Web site

to download the application, or contact the

Arts/Industry Coordinator.

Although certainly not mandatory, artists inter-

ested in a residency are encouraged to tour Kohler

Co. in order to increase their understanding of

the possibilities and parameters of the program

and in preparing an application. Arts/Industry

cannot fund such a visit, but the Arts Center staff

will schedule an in-depth tour and otherwise

facilitate an artist’s stay.

Page 13: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

13

traVeL, Housing, LiVing

Kohler Co., in the Village of Kohler (pop. 2,000),

Wisconsin, is less than one hour north of Mil-

waukee and 2½ hours north of Chicago. The

nearest city and home of the Arts Center is

Sheboygan (pop. 48,000), just five miles away

on Lake Michigan’s western shore.

Free housing for the four artists who are in resi-

dence simultaneously is available in a furnished

duplex near Kohler Co. Artists may bring fam-

ily members, but they are asked to cover the

resulting costs. The Arts Center provides bi-

cycles for the artists; however, the artists are

also encouraged to bring their own cars. Each

artist receives a modest bi-weekly honorarium

for food and personal expenses. Artists are re-

sponsible for expenses of packing materials

and shipping their finished works. Residencies

are two to six months in length, and a stay of

three or four months is generally most fruitful.

Program parameters are based on available

funding and other conditions and are thus sub-

ject to change.

internsHiPs

Internships are available for undergraduate and

graduate art students. Interns generally aid the

artists-in-residence and, in addition, may work

with Arts Center staff on various aspects of the

Arts/Industry collection. Interns usually have

some access to the industrial technologies for

their own art.

reVieW Procedure

The selection of resident artists is based upon

several criteria: quality of the artist’s work,

potential impact of the residency on the

artist and her/his art, ability of the artist to

work amicably and effectively with industrial

personnel and other artists as well as within

factory guidelines, and the artist’s own technical

capabilities. Proposals are reviewed by Arts

Center staff, past artists-in-residence, and

others. At times, ceramic or metallurgical

personnel are asked to review a proposal for

technical feasibility. The process also includes

an in-depth telephone interview with the artist

as well as with references. Contracts are sent to

artists who are selected. Upon their arrival, the

artists receive a thorough orientation to ensure

a productive residency.

education Programming

Artists-in-residence are asked to give one day per

month to educational activities such as lectures,

workshops, video interviews, and other activities

in the region. The artists are also expected to be

on hand to talk with the public during weekday

tours of the factory and the program. Through

these presentations, the artists expose the public,

the arts community, schools, universities, and

news media to their work and to Arts/Industry.

tHe artists’ WorK

All of the works of art produced by artists

during their residencies belong to them. Artists

are asked to donate two works: one to the

collection of the Arts Center and one to that of

Kohler Co. Much of the work produced during

a residency is photographically documented, a

copy of which is given to the artists.

Opposite top: Artist Lauren Grossman (WA) grinds the surface of a cast-iron sculpture, 2005.

Opposite bottom: Shawn Busse (OR) worked in slip-cast clay and cast-iron to create Metronome, 2000.

for further information about any aspect of

arts/industry, please contact the arts center’s

arts/industry coordinator at 920-458-6144

or [email protected], or visit www.jmkac.org to

download an application form.

Page 14: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

14

Arts/Industry artist Olen Hsu (ID) working in his studio space at Kohler Co. Pottery, 2006.

Back cover: Artist Lynne Yamamoto (MA) preparing her clay forms for drying and firing, 2007.

Page 15: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

15

insPiring

“[Arts/Industry] has inspired me to

greater performance as an artist and a

human being...”

—Bernard Williams, 2006

“Arts/Industry is...the total engagement

of the artist with the material in a unique

situation...and there is no place like it.”

—Ming Fay, 1995

“This has been the best, most intense,

most productive, most enjoyable art-

making experience I have ever had.”

—Tom Lauerman, 2005

“The generosity of the program

[Arts/Industry] is immeasurable.”

—Liz Quackenbush, 1990 and 1993

Page 16: Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

16

.

© 2

010

John

Mic

hael

Koh

ler

Art

s C

ente

r