Http://www.laissezfoure.com
Here is a brief interview with Ryan McCoy about the inspiration behind his work.
McCoy explains how the dates in his work reflect the period in time in which the work was created and the experiences related to that time. He hopes when people view his work that perhaps they can see societal metaphors of ash and rust and something emotive. He emphasizes that he is trying to make an honest piece where he is engaged. The pine needles are significant because he grew up near pine needles and went camping with his mother as a child. Pine needles reflect time in life and nature and perhaps relationship with mother. The process is just as important as the end result...the action of collecting the pine needles, making the ash, going to the grove in the early morning and writing and reflecting is perhaps cathartic for McCoy. The process is very personal to him.
McCoy also is trying to capture and reflect how words don't explain or describe everything... That his piece is trying to express, in a way, what words can't. I love the texture of the piece and actually tried to smell it to see if I could get another sense activated when experiencing the work because of the ash and baby powder. But alas, I didn't want to look crazy so didn't smell for long. I think the piece is interesting and conceptual giving a visual to things that are abstract like our thoughts and emotions.
Following is a brief interview with Zach Sherif about his inspiration and process:
Sherif's beautiful hand-blown glass chandeliers are stunning to look out. Vibrant and colorful, they would be a great touch in someone's home. In the video Sherif discusses the importance of lighting. The glass is made in Egypt and he assembles the chandeliers in his workshop in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of D.C. He actually had a feature recently in Marie-Claire in which he was professed as revitalizing the hand-blown glass craft in Egypt. It seems like this is on the verge of becoming a lost craft in Egypt. He moved to D.C. recently from New York and is enjoying the quality of life in the District.
I did not get a chance to interview any of the other artist but include works I enjoyed in the accompanying photos.
