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October Issue
2010
Green Rice Gallery
in Charlotte, NC, Features Works by Jason Basden
Green
Rice Gallery in Charlotte, NC, will present the exhibit, Things
Done Delicately, featuring works by Jason Basden, on view
from Oct. 1 - 31, 2010.
Basden has been creating mixed media sculptures in the fantasy and mythology genre for years. This past year he was introduced to a genre known as Steampunk. As Basden describes it, "if I had to sum it up in one sentence, to me it is very Sherlock Holmes meets Star Wars. There is a very strong Science Fiction/Alternate History theme, but technology has not exceeded steam powered and clockwork devices."
In many of his most recent pieces, Basden wanted to incorporate the Steampunk type of imagery into his work, pushing him into unfamiliar territory. Up until now, his work has been very organic in nature. Incorporating metal and mechanical findings into his pieces presented Basden with a new challenge. How does one work with these materials and still imply a level of movement and articulation? How would he imbue something with life and personality if it wasn't going to have a face?
"These things must be done delicately" was a line spoken by the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz. To Basden, this is a very meaningful statement when attempting a task that takes any effort, especially when that task takes someone out of their comfort zone. He has always believed that if taken out of their normal context, pre-fabricated and natural objects can start a whole new life.
"I feel I have succeeded in this with my current work," say Basden. "The faeries and familiars typical of my style seem frozen in mid-motion implying life and a narrative quality. My automatons await the winding of a key or the flip of a switch so they can begin the tasks they were designed for. While I have a purpose in mind for them, I want viewers to look and draw their own conclusions. Are they designed for the tasks of day to day living or more nefarious purposes? Either way, these sorts of things must be done delicately."
For further information
check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at
704/344-0300 or visit (www.green-rice.com).
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