Extra Event I: Singular Spaces: From the Eccentric to the Extraordinary by Jo Farb Hernandez

Singular Spaces was a collection of photographs by Jo Farb Hernandez of homes in Spain modified by the artists inside, essentially an intersection of art and life. What stuck out the most for me was that most of the art created in this series was not created in a predetermined artistic environment, such as a museum, or by conventional artists. Rather, they were works that manifested from the creativity of those who did not necessarily have artistic backgrounds or influences.

Vila during construction of tower

My favorite works were those by Peter Buch and Joseph Pujiula i Vila. The aesthetics of Buch’s work immediately commanded my attention because of the colorful yet intricate tiles. I liked how at first glance his sculptures were bold, but also very molded to the original shape of the building. Likewise, Vila’s work was also very intricate. He utilized tree branches to construct elegant yet elaborately complex towers and domes. I do feel like the setup of this exhibit could’ve been better executed. The photos lined the hallway around Fowler Museum, but because they directly opposed the courtyard, there was often so much glare the details of the photos were lost.

 

Buch's whimsical dragon abode

Intricate dome constructed by Vila

Aside from the use of technology to capture these art structures, most pieces were constructed by hand and there doesn’t exist a direct relation between Singular Spaces and technology. However, I do believe that many of the themes driving technologically influenced art are present in this project. For example, the idea of singular spaces is described by the exhibit as, “spaces… constantly evolving, and at the same time they are always complete.” This parallels the idea of infinity, especially as observed in Robert Gero’s work, in which the core structure remains constant, and its modifications grow and shrink. I also think the lack of artistic training manifests itself in this project in the same way as in biotech or robotics and art. They use the creativity cultivated by their initial disciplines to approach art from a different angle. While engineers and scientists have thought to use their bodies and scans as canvases, the absence of conventional artistic tools have led the fishermen and average villagers of Spain to use their home as canvases.

"Singular Spaces: From the Eccentric to the Extraordinary in Spanish Art Environments | Fowler Museum at UCLA." Singular Spaces: From the Eccentric to the Extraordinary in Spanish Art Environments | Fowler Museum at UCLA. Web. 6 June 2015.