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Artist information:
Kellie Kalish
Grand Rapids, MI
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Kellie Kalish is showing at:
The B.O.B. The B.O.B.
20 Monroe Ave Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Kellie Kalish
Artist bio:

Kellie Kalish was born in Milwaukee, WI and has since lived in Vienna, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; Chicago, IL; Barcelona, Spain. She currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI. She enjoys traveling and has visited over 20 countries. She holds a BA from Grand Valley State University.

Her art is reflective of the environment, cultures, relationships and themes she has been exposed to in both her many homes and travels. She draws extensively from her years lived in Europe, and her belief that one of the greatest gaps in modern human experience is the true understanding that we are not intended to be alone. Kalish seeks to draw out the creative instinct and to appeal to the need for affirmation in those who view this work. She readily experiments with art and has worked previously in media ranging from printmaking to photography. Kalish is currently focusing on what is sometimes termed "guerrilla art"; in creating a mood or inspiration within our given environments.


Artist statement:

When I work with my label maker I'm reminded that art doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming to produce. Some may see it as an unconventional outlet for expressing creativity. To me, the label maker was ideal for this piece. I appreciate the authority a simple typed strip of glossy adhesive elicits, and I've had a fascination with language and writing since childhood. I decided on the title and concept for the work before opting to use a label maker. I began this piece, as I have others, by leafing through my journals and writings. I search for a theme to jump at me from the pages; something worth sharing. I contemplate how to translate that message into an art form that can be enjoyed and understood by others. The recent theme that rose to the foreground for me is the title of this work. My goal with this piece is to help others evaluate and grow in their interconnectedness with people, and to offer a low-key, interactive platform for that process to evolve.
About the work:
Title: people just need to know they are not alone

Art form: 2-D, Internet / Interactive

Medium: label maker/ interactive installation

Year created: 2009

Description of work: My work is a series of statements printed on red embossing tape. All statements are intended to evoke a feeling of interconnectedness within the reader in relation to humanity; to encourage interplay among strangers; to embody the title itself. The purpose in having the pieces appear scattered throughout the venue is primarily three fold. 1) to offer a consistent, and hopefully inescapable reminder that we are not alone 2) to serve as a near subliminal reminder of this truth and 3) to catch people off guard; to offer a potentially controversial medium (is label maker tape art?). Also, it may lend itself well to its own version of a treasure hunt for those interested in seeking out the labels.

Work statement: this work is a conclusion drawn from observing a society saturated with lonely people.

this work will challenge our cultural notion that individualism trumps interconnectedness, playing with the fact that we grant labels a certain authority over our perceptions and behaviors.

Over a hundred glossy red labels are located throughout the BOB. Let these labels heighten your awareness of those around you and challenge your connectedness to others. Enjoy the process.
Each person has something to contribute, to share, and to receive in relationship with others.


Prompts are removed/added daily...so check back often!


Technical details:
Work width: n/a
Work height: n/a
Work depth: n/a
Required venue ceiling: n/a
Required venue door height: n/a
Required venue door width: n/a
Required wall linear footage: n/a
Required venue square footage: n/a
Additional considerations:
Audio/video needed: No
Electrical needed: No
Lighting needed: No
Internet access needed: No
Ground floor access needed: No
Indoor space needed: Yes
Outdoor space needed: No

Work Images

Image

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