Podcast: Talking Guts With Pajau Vangay

Download the MP3, stream directly on Stitcher, or subscribe via iTunes!

Talking Guts With Pajau Vangay
Length: 00:43:39
Synopsis: As our current exhibition, Guts: What Lies Within, comes to a close, we decided to take the topic in a more literal direction, and reached out to Pajau (PJ) Vangay, a researcher who's working on her PhD in Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology. A lot of PJ's research revolves around our guts, or more specifically the microbes within them. On this week's podcast Lindsay and Jenny pick PJ's brain about all kinds of guts-related topics, like how our fixation on cleanliness might be changing our bodies, fecal transplants, how your microbiome might shape your life more thank you know, and how your pets can help build a microbiological bridge to a loved one, and more.

Show Notes:
Knights Lab
Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues
Iceland Residency Opening Reception
Iceland Residency
Guts
Light Grey Game Night

Artist Interview: Daniel Shaffer

Meet Daniel Shaffer. Daniel is an illustrator living and working in Baltimore, MD. Daniel is know for his colorful illustrations and narrative images. His work has been shown in various galleries and recognized by the Society of Illustrators. Daniel has participated in the BOSS RUSH! Guts, and upcoming COSMOS projects with Light Grey Art Lab, and we are thrilled to showcase his artwork! You can read all about his expriences, resources, and thougts on illustration. You can also see more of Daniel's artwork on his website and blog here!

Hi Daniel. Could you tell me about yourself?

I grew up in a city called Decatur which rests right outside of Atlanta, GA. I have really fond memories of Decatur and the neighborhood I grew up in. Decatur is lush with vegetation and tall oak trees and it smells really beautiful during the Spring and Fall. As a kid I was always using my imagination to become dinosaurs and animals, and I was interested in drawing and painting from imagination. I pretty much knew I wanted to be an artist when I was in Elementary school. After high school I attended the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) for four years and got my BFA last May. It took me a year in college to figure out that I wanted to become an illustrator.

You recently participated in the BOSS RUSH Exhibition, and much of your artwork in inspired by video games and media. Could you talk a little about your inspiration- are you attracted to the characters, story lines, bad guys, etc?

The BOSS RUSH! Exhibition was actually a turning point for me stylistically. I think once I graduated from college, I felt like I had a ticking clock behind me to get jobs so I started making a mad flurry of work. During this time I made a massive amount of experimental illustrations with shifting subject matter and style. At one point I was working completely flat and was pretty inspired by Joan Cornella's comics. I have always enjoyed gross humor so it was fun to paint a lot of butts and blood. What I really love though is color and atmosphere. I decided that my love for video games would be a good conduit for creating illustrations that pushed those two themes. When I saw the BOSS RUSH! call for artists I jumped on the opportunity because I thought it would be a good way to push myself to create a more polished piece than the illustrations I had been making prior. From there I decided to continue making movie and game related pieces because I knew that the passion was already there so all I had to do was create the image that I wanted.

Majora's Mask for BOSS RUSH!

Your work includes lots of playful characters, humorous scenarios, and dramatic moments. Could you talk a little about storytelling and image making. What is most compelling to you when creating artwork?

I grew up watching cartoons and anime so I was exposed to a lot of different ways to tell a story through images. Studio Ghibli had a really big impact on me as a developing artist and as a growing boy. The movie Princess Mononoke was a treasure trove of inspiration. In the third grade my friend rented the movie at a sleep over and I watched it for the first time. I don't think my mom would have been too happy that I had watched such a violent movie, but I couldn't stop thinking about it- I felt like it was one of the greatest creations known to man. I remember running as fast as I could through the little forest behind my school pretending I was running with wolves. So much of the world was unknown to me so I had to make up what I believed could be true. I think that's what's so compelling about making artwork. You get to create whatever you want in your own way.

Princess Mononoke

What is your favorite piece/project to date? What do you want to work on more?

I think my favorite piece that I've made was my tribute to Princess Mononoke. Not because it's dedicated to Princess Mononoke, but because it was a piece where I felt like I had unlocked something in myself that made the piece flow really well for me. It was one of the first times that developing the composition, colors, and lighting felt really natural to me and I just kind of knew what needed to be done. I definitely would like to continue doing tribute pieces, but I would also like to start working on my own children's book.

For the Guts Exhibition, you were tasked with investigating the insides of something. Could you tell us about that project, what you uncovered, and what you wanted to share?

For the Guts Exhibition I decided to choose the mythological Cosmic Turtle as my subject matter. Commonly in the mythology surrounding this creature, the turtle is swimming in space while holding a flat earth on its back that is being supported by four white elephants. Terry Pratchett actually wrote a series called Discworld that takes place on the earth that is supported by a cosmic turtle. I have yet to read the series, but it sounds really interesting. I decided to put a twist on the myth by making the action take place within the shell of a turtle creature instead of on top. I liked the idea of the shell creating a micro system of entities and foliage, while also protecting an entire universe which is represented by the white orb in the center. I thought this provided an interesting concept that could indicate an infinite number of cosmic turtles holding an infinite number of universes and how fragile this system is. It's scary and interesting to think about how the death of one Cosmic turtle could affect all the others that lie within it.

Protecting Life (Cosmic Turtle) for the Guts Exhibition

Could you describe your creative community? Locally or online? What things do you look for in a community?

At the moment I am still living in Baltimore right next to the MICA campus. I live in an apartment with artist and friend

Matt Rockefeller

. A lot of this past year has been dedicated to Matt and I working alongside each other in our in home studio. We often give each other feedback on the projects we're working on and also take breaks to go outside or play through different video games. At the end of June I am going to be moving back home in Decatur, GA to save some money. I will have lived in Baltimore for 5 years so the shift back home will be an interesting change for me. Community is still a concept that I'm learning about and take for granted. I was born with a chemical imbalance that makes my anxiety levels sky rocket pretty easily so I typically maintain a pretty small group of friends so that I'm not over stimulated. With that said, I think I need to be surrounded by an artistic community/atmosphere that share some of my core values in life. It also helps if my community is surrounded by lots of vegetation and animals! I would much prefer my view of the sky to be blocked by trees than blocked by buildings.

As an young illustrator, what is the most valuable piece of information/advise you have received?

I'm not sure if anyone ever specifically told this to me or if I just decided it was good advice on my own, but I would say the most valuable advice for me has been to just keep making work. I have only grown after making hundreds of things. The journey is often difficult and can sometimes feel hopeless, but I have found that as long as I keep producing work I will grow and improve as an artist.

Arrival

What are some of your biggest sources of inspiration? (books, media, places, games, people, etc.)

As I mentioned before, Studio Ghibli has had a profound influence on me. Beyond that I would also say that Calvin and Hobbes influenced my thinking about the world. I was introduced to Calvin and Hobbes as a little kid. My dad bought me one of the compilation books that has lots of comics in it and I was immediately hooked. I really love how Bill Watterson writes his characters. There is something that is just so charming about the world that Calvin and Hobbes live in. It always makes me happy to read his comics.

What projects do you have in the works? What direction do you see yourself going in the next year to two? Any dream projects?

I'm in a transition period at the moment, so I don't have any specific projects in the works. I have been working on a collection of zines with my friends Boya Sun and

Matt Rockefeller

that will have the work of a bunch of different artists in them. The title of the collection is Bloom, and it won't be finished for a while due to the number of zines and artists we're working with. There will be more information about that in the future though. As for my direction, I would say that I want to head into book publishing in some form. I also want to do editorial work, so I'll be building up clientele to work with in the coming months. In the future I would like to work on my own children's book. I have wanted to do that since I was a little kid. I'll be working on a story in the near future!

Thanks, Daniel!

You can find more of his work on his

website,

blog

, and the Cosmic Tuttle piece on the

Light Grey shop here!

The Guts Exhibition will be on display and online through May 15th.

Guts all over the walls! Recap of the GUTS exhibition opening reception.

Thanks to everyone that came by for the GUTS opening reception!

Hey! Thanks to all the awesome artists and visitors that made the GUTS opening a huge success! We had gorgeous weather, an awesome feature in the City Pages A-list section (Thanks so much, Jessica Armbruster, for the shout out!), and slew of people wanting to come out and dissect all sorts of topics with us!

Featured Artist, Lana Crooks, came out for the event in full force, staying to eat donuts and chat on the podcast with us. I have to say, it was an incredible time in the days leading up to the exhibition when we watched everything come together all at once.

Take a peek at all the photos from the night HERE!


Time to explore the insides! "Exposure" by Kristina Drake

If you haven't had a chance to take a look at all of the pieces in the exhibition, now is the time. There's a great mix of 2d and 3d, lots of literal and metaphor heavy work in the show and plenty of things that will quench your thirst for knowledge. The show will be up through May 15th - and you'll have plenty of time to check out the work either online or in person.

All of the delightful specimens are up on the shop through the 15th!


Thanks, everyone, for stopping in!


Doors open, great weather, great company.


Walls lined with guts of all types: (from left to right) "Missing You" by Lindsay Anne Watson,"Mummified" by Maggie Ivy, "Cosmos" by Brandon Robertson, "A Floating Home Deconstructed" by Philippe Poirier, "The Planetarium Hypothesis" by Chris Kindred

Definitely stop by and say hello if you're in the neighborhood!

Podcast: Talking With Lana Crooks

Download the MP3, stream directly on Stitcher, or subscribe via iTunes!

Talking With Lana Crooks
Length: 00:53:18
Synopsis: The Guts exhibition is finally here, and on this week's podcast we talk to featured artist Lana Crooks. Lana is a member of the OhNo!Doom collective and gallery director for Clutter Gallery. She constructs creatures from fabrics and found objects as a textile sculptor and purveyor of faux specimens and soft curiosities. We talk with Lana about everything from her past, her process, her thoughts on mixing client work and gallery work, and much, much more.



Show Notes:
Lana Crooks : Website - Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - Shop
OhNo!Doom
Every Day Original
Rotofugi
Stranger Factory
Designer Toy Awards
DesignerCon
Chicago Drink & Draw

Guts
Light Grey Game Night

GUTS Opening Reception tomorrow!

Join us tomorrow night, April 17th from 7-10pm for the opening reception and celebration of GUTS! This unique exhibition features new artwork, prints, and originals by 60+ artists from around the globe. Artists have made a variety of fiber sculptures, hand-sewn details, intricate illustrations, and paintings that share the truths, uncovered mysteries, and fabricated stories behind some of life's greatest questions! Artists have taken it upon themselves to investigate some of their favorite subjects- taking on the role of scientists, archeologists, and detectives!



The GUTS exhibition features a collection of new work by guest artist, Lana Crooks! Lana is a Chicago-based artist and curator who has been working with us over the past couple days to hang her 15ft wall installation filled with tiny treasures, hand-felted skulls, cut wood pieces, and more!

You will be able to see all of Lana's work available this Friday at the opening and on our online shop! Keep an eye out for special artist interviews and features. If you are local and attending the opening, Lana will be here to say hello!


Here is a detail of some of her handmade specimens!

You can find more information, the list of contributing artists, and invite friends on the facebook event page here! We hope to see you tomorrow night!

Guts Opening Reception

We invite you to join us for the opening reception and celebration of GUTS, coming April 17th!

This unique project features a wide variety of originals, tiny sculptures, fiber-made skulls, delicate drawings, and art prints, all inspired by the interiors, insides, and fabricated guts! Artists have taken it upon themselves to investigate the hidden truths and secrets of some of their favorite and most bizarre subjects!


Sneak peek at work by Angela Rizza

Part exploration, part education, part evisceration -- the show explores what's really underneath the surface- peeling back the skin of all of the subjects you've ever wanted to know more about! Artists are investigating subjects such as the stomach contents of birds, ghost hearts, hysteria, the inside of a human eye, and so many more subjects! Come discover the truths and imagined realities through the eyes of 60+ artists!

For the opening reception, we are joined by featured artist, Lana Crooks. Her work involves fiber skeletons, creatures, and felt-made originals! Lana is planning an entire installation of artwork that is not to be missed!


Preview by Zoe Keller

Guts opening reception is Friday, April 17th from 7-10pm, and will remain on display until May 15th. The event is free and open to all! Feel free to invite friends, family, and help spread the word with the Guts Facebook Event here!

Guts Artists Announced!

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our GUTS participating artists!
Part exploration, part education, part evisceration -- we want to know what's really underneath the surface. So dust off your field guides, scalpels, and stay-at-home taxidermist's manuals, and join us for an exhibition that peels back the skin of all of the subjects you've ever wanted to know more about.

GUTS
Opening April 17th
On display through May 15th
7 - 10 pm @ Light Grey Art Lab
118 E. 26th Street #101
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404 USA • 1.612.239.2047

Alex Konstad
Angela Rizza
Anine Bösenberg
Ann Macarayan
Beth Zaiken
Blok Magnaye
Brandon Robertson
Bridget Underwood
Cai Vail
Caitlin McCormack
Cathryn Virginia
Chris Kindred
Claire Hummel
Cornelia Li
Dan Des Eynon
Daniel Shaffer
Delia Evin
Emory Allen
Erika Rier
Frances Alvarez
Francesca Buchko
J Zachary Keenan
Jessica Cheng
Jessica Roux
JL Anderson
Julia Rothman
Kate O'Hara
Kelley McNorris
Kelsey Wroten
Kim Peterson
Kirsty Hambrick
Kristina Drake
Kyle Harabedian
Lana Crooks
Lindsay Ann Watson
Lisa Manuzak
Lisa Perrin
Lucas Durham
Maggy Ivy
Marianne Vincent
Marisa Seguin
Meredith Miotke
Miranda Meeks
Molly Mendoza
Nicole Xu
Philippe Poirier
Phoenix Chan
Pierre Kleinhouse
Rachel Frankel
Rachel Kahn
Rachel Maves
Rebecca Olene
Robyn Mitchell
Rovina Cai
Scott Bakal
Sophie Bryant
Stephanie Shafer
Stephanie Singleton
Su Limbert
Te Chao
Teagan White
Thomas Campi
Vaughan Pinpin
Yoshi Yoshitani
Zoe Keller
ZoeZoe Sheen

And, of course, we'll be showcasing the wondrous works of Lana Crooks as our featured artist during the Guts Exhibition!

During the GUTS exhibition, Light Grey Art Lab will be hosting a ton of great new programming including some new spring classes, featured artist interviews and much more! Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted with things as we get closer to Opening Night!

Questions? hello@lightgreyartlab.com

CALL FOR ART : GUTS

A revealing new group exhibition with featured artist, Lana Crooks

CALL FOR ART!

2.27.15 EDIT : THANKS A MILLION, GUYS! WE'VE CLOSED THE CALL FOR ART AND WILL BE JURYING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS! WATCH FOR AN UPDATE SHORTLY!

GUTS
What lies within?
Opens April 17th
7 - 10pm at Light Grey Art Lab
118 E. 26th Street #101
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612.239.2047

Put on your x-ray specs and let's turn this exhibition inside out.

We are looking for artists willing to school us on the inner-workings of some of life's little mysteries...

Part exploration, part education, part evisceration -- we want to know what's really underneath the surface. So dust off your field guides, scalpels, and stay-at-home taxidermist's manuals, and join us for an exhibition that peels back the skin of all of the subjects you've ever wanted to know more about.

"How powerful is human curiosity and is it strong enough to get you to open Pandora's box?"

"What really happens to your body when you swallow a sword?"

"Who is buried in Grant's tomb?"

"What does a Midway albatross eat?"

"Where is the threshold between human and Borg, and where does my bionic grandfather lie on the spectrum?"

"How much hatred can I store in the four chambers of my heart?"

...

IN OTHER WORDS: What lies within?

Artists are encouraged to take creative liberty when helping us understand some of these incredible biological concepts. Think of it this way; if history is written by the victors, and truth is stranger than fiction, what happens when we make visual artists our surgeons, our scientists and our scholars?

During the month of April we're looking for ways to turn what we thought we knew inside out. Artists will line the walls of with "scientific findings" so intriguing, fascinating and obscure you won't know what's real and what's not? Let's leave the viewers scratching their heads.

In honor of our inside-out topic, we've invited special guest, Lana Crooks, to join us as our Featured Artist for the exhibition. With her incredible scientific sculptures and skeletal structures, she was a perfect fit for our April exhibition! She'll set the pace with imaginative pieces based, but not confined, in reality. Think of it like visual creative non-fiction.

So, whether you're interested in the bizarre skeletal structure of bats, or hypothesize about how the effects of faith often keep India's devout hindus from contracting illnesses from the sacred, but polluted, Ganges river, or if you want to help us visualize the weight of the soul, throw your name in the hat and prepare to drop some wisdom on us.


If you're interested in joining us for our GUTS, put your name, links to your portfolio and your email below by February 25. Artists will be announced the following week!


Example:
Lindsay Nohl
lindsaynohl.com
hello@lightgreyartlab.com


Thanks and please help us spread the word to all of your science & technology loving friends!