Scott Rench
Scott Rench has got to have one of the most inventive lines of artwork I have seen in a very long time, not to mention cool. Computers and clay is an unusual combination of tools to create artwork with, but he has mastered it. Combining technology and one of the oldest forms of artistic expression–clay. The odd combination produces some very appealing results. His site shows the steps he goes through to create his unique work–screen printing and glazing in steps. He has been making this kind of work for more than 12 years and has exhibited in shows overseas with Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. He works as an Art Director at a Chicago advertising agency, but for me no advertisement could inspire me the way this work does. Check out his site for more work of all shapes and sizes, even including a very cool limited sink. Keep reading on for more.
This one is called Interactive Ceramics as the piece can evolve over time and it also involves the viewer. The result is enough combinations to have a different piece everyday for years.
The artist calls these pieces “Download” and this is what he had to say about it. “Download,” a dinnerware set for one, is a comment on technology and our lives. I once saw a 50’s science program that proclaimed computers would simplify our lives bringing a 4 day work week. I can only speak for myself, but computers have had the opposite affect. Most of my meals are spent in front of the computer. The pace of our lives seems to be spinning out of control.
How can we accomplish everything before the day runs out? Eating is not supposed to be a solitary experience. In the past eating was much more of a social activity shared with family and friends. Where we take the time to enjoy the people around us and share in a meal. Nowadays, people are shoveling food in by the gentle radioactive glow of our monitors, doing all this while trying not to spill the secret sauce on us or our keyboards.
“Download” is dedicated to the individuals whose dining companions are often their computers. This dinner set for one includes a monitor plate that reminds that there is more to life than work. A shallow box for holding food items, CD to serve as a small plate or coaster, mouse doubles as a two sided spice dispenser with the napkin being a mouse pad.
I know I can relate.
