Scott Snaden

grad school

preliminary study plan


As a student at Goddard College I would like to use the knowledge and experience I already have as an artist as a platform from which I can delve into new artistic areas a themes which I have only just began to touch on in my work. I think the experience would provide me with the time and support structure I need to allow these ideas to blossom, and perhaps wither, following their own natural life cycle, to their conclusion.
From my current position artistically, coming to the end of my series of works “post historical tools” I would like to see a merger of the ideas this series explores with the structural and visual complexity I am often drawn to. This complexity, or perhaps chaotisism can be seen in my “post Dada expressionist” pieces. At the same time I would like to explore the ideas of mechanization more fully, working towards something I am thinking of as a Post Industrial Utilitarian aesthetic.
I have touched on the Ideas I am interested in pursuing in both the series “post historical tools”, where I explored the idea of a useless utilitarianism and in the installation “Pentatopia Ma, the trinity in the fourth dimension”where mobile and mechanical objects required audience interaction in order to attain their actual aesthetic presents.
During my time at Goddard I world like use these concepts to focus attention on the differences and similarities between a working class industrial aesthetic and High art. I would like to pull objects from the Low side of the art world tracks, manipulate and return them to their place on the street, for a start. Then push them back into high art realm
In considering the direction of this project I feel vehicles are the place to focus my attention. In modern American culture the vehicle, of all machines, holds the place of honor. It is romanticized , personalized and very often personified. It is, in general , perceived as a reflexion of the owner, often as an extension of the owner. (On a side note in the same vein, I have had Navajo friends in the four corners area of New Mexico, who would refuse to sell broken or old cars, for any amount of money, likening it to selling a parent who was beyond working years, or a sick sibling)
Modern people have a feeling of kinship with their vehicles that exists with no other machine in their lives. It can function as a mobile safety zone of personal space, and outward expression of self to the world, and even to some a friend. There is often a spiritual connection owners have with their vehicle. Perceived or real, it has an emotional power.
Taking this powerful starting point of the perspective many have already assigned I would like to re purpose the vehicle. Not in the traditional sense of ART CARS, which so often simply use the car as a canvas on which to layer art. I would like to re or de purpose the entire thing, leaving instead a functional object that does not meet the requirements of it's original or any other utilitarian intention. Mechanically I want it to function, but it's utility should be questionable at best.
As The objects are completed I would like to reintroduce them to the public in a variety of ways. I see them parked in parking places along streets, in auto shows, for sale in auto trader magazine, and craigslist etc. I want to document this reintroduction in a variety of media including writing, video, and photography. I would also like to introduce them in a gallery situation, as as static art objects alone, again documenting the response
Finally For my final practicum I would like to present the objects in there fully functioning non utilitarian form, starting, them if necessary, using them if possible, as working Non Machines. Incorporated with this will be the the documented responses to them as objects in their various previous contextual surroundings.
I will need to hone my welding and mechanical skills some to see this project threw. I intend on taking at least one welding class. As an amateur mechanic I think reading and studying vehicle specific books and wire schematics will suffice in that respect. Possibly research and some study on radio controls and electronics may also be necessary, depending on how the projects develop.


Resource List

A short list of artists that I find interesting
Doug Fishbone
Kiki Smith
quiet ensemble
Wim Delvoye
Santiago Sierra
Billy Childish
Leon Golub

Books and Literature

Of Grammatology (1967) Derrida
I think gaining a fuller understanding of Derrida's concepts on the separations and differences between the idea, written word and spoken work and their non relationship, will be an important part in understanding the visual metaphors I am trying to present and deal with and their relationship to the thoughts and verbal descriptions that seem to accompany them.

Avant-Garde and Kitsch Clement Greenberg

The Social History of Art Arnold Hauser

Welding Basics: and Introduction to Practical and Ornamental Welding Karen Ruth

This is a very preliminary list which I am sure will grow as the project proceeds


Web Resources
postmodern_delusions.htm

art_20th_century/modern_art/kitsch1.htm


home.html


streetuse/archives/vehicles/
index.php/tech-gadget/feature-homemade-self-balancing-vehicles
~sobriety/
/history/useless.html
klubhouse/tips.html
2009/09/10/insane-prisoner-inventions-24-diy-prison-tools-weapons/

This Is a wonderful source of information and inspiration,. Great pictures and a wonderful view on what is happening around the western world in terms of the utilitarian vision of function/beauty. It even includes a picture of a completely utilitarian bike I built out of a rusted shell I found in the islands when I lived there. rat-tech.php. It was ugly noisy and slow and got me to work every day. The tech section will be especially helpful and informative in my proposed endeavor.




Other Resources

Ben Lewis: Ben Lewis is an art critic for the London evening standard and writes an art column for Prospect magazine.
I do plan to pursue a class in welding at a local technical school, or receive some private instruction.

Although the following are not necessarily the traditional texts that would be used in a visual arts MFA course of study, I find that I am often very inspired by poetry and poetic metaphor. Much of my inspiration and ideas spring forth while reading or listening to poetry. This is a short list of a few of my favorite authors and Styles in this area.

Billy Childish. In my mind the most important living poet, and an incredibly prolific artist.
Kenneth Patchen (predominately the book “wanderings”. It is a book of poetry and sketches
Jack Kerouac ( Although I enjoy his novels I find his poetry specifically inspirational)
Prakalpana literature and Sarbangin magazine (Bengali publications of prakalpana writing and art)


Music
Music is also a strong source of inspiration. I use both strong lyric based music,such as Tom Waits, Billy Bragg, Joe Pop-o-pie, Woody Guthrie to name a few
and a variety of noise/music from Coltrane to Ruins to both focus my thought and maintain a working mind set.