Avant Gardens ed. 3
Welcome to Avant Gardens, a blog/newsletter where I explore all things strange, experimental, and exciting in the arts.
Hello! I’m a day late this month posting - I’ve been out and about, absorbing art, writing, making my own things. I’m glad the year is starting to make way - I always feel like the holiday season and January is a bit strange and liminal. I much prefer the steady routine and busyness as we head through February and into March. I’ve got a mixture of things today for you to check out, enjoy!
Maria Takeuchi/ÉMU - snow drift in moonlight (2021)
It’s hard to choose just one work by Maria to feature, because they are all so absolutely stunning and captivating. This particular work, snow drift in moonlight, I could watch for eternity. It features Maria’s visuals paired with sound from the collaborative efforts of Maria and Alec Fellman/insomniac hotel.
You can check out her other stuff (visual, sound, installation) here.
Silke Metze - a collection of mixed media works
Silke Metz has a collection of works available to purchase on Esty (which I will link below). I’m such a fan of mixed media and found objects to create work - natural textures being reworked and reimagined to make things that strangely resemble the natural world. This piece uses materials such as clay, hay, and inked with ink (ha), acrylics and natural pigments.
They have an Instagram with some cool stuff (but some of the images that have been edited were originally AI-generated, which I’m not a fan of, hence me not sharing). The Etsy is filled with completely original work however :)
Jon Hassell & Brian Eno - Delta Rain Dream (1980)
I love this track so much. From the first time I heard it, for some reason it reminded me of the moment in Lord of the Flies where Simon meets the Lord of the Flies (a severed pigs head impaled on a stake). It’s a really chilling but yet somehow grounded, ancient earth-like moment, and when listening to Delta Rain Dream, that imagery has stuck with me ever since (despite the two pieces having two very separate intentions).
Eno and Hassell’s focus and intention for this album (and thus Delta Rain Dream) was of what they termed ‘Fourth World’ music - one that combines ‘world ethnic music’ with ‘advanced electronic techniques’. You can read their essay on the matter here.
Richard Wilkinson - Daemonius sanctimonialis
A collection of insect illustrations resembling classic horror creatures… what else can I say?
You can see the rest of Wilkinson’s creepy insects here (keep an eye out for the pale man from Pan’s Labyrinth, my other favourite…)
Laurie Kaplowitz - Genesis
I’m back with the mixed media/found object.. I just can’t stay away from it. It’s also unfair how wildly talented some people are. This beautiful collage was made using materials including acrylic, charcoal and conte. I love the little protruding seahorse head sketched in, and the delicate softness of the botanics along the sides are precious.
You can check out more of Laurie’s work at her website here.
Okay angels, that’s me for another month. Wishing you all a beautifully experimental next month ahead, and that you enjoy the full moon tonight xxxx
