Jason Hackenwerth’s Creation in Motion

New York City based artist Jason Hackenwerth is on the move these days. After placing in the top ten at Art Prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan earlier this month for Ecstasy of the Scarlet Empress, Hackenwerth was off to San

Jason with Ecstasy of the Scarlet Empress ~ Art Prize October 2009

Diego, California for an installation at the New Children’s Museum of his piece called, The Return of Trilodon. This evening he is in Philadelphia at The Skybox @ 2424 Studios where he has filled that incredible open space with his latest work, Titan and the Fireflies.

Observing the sheer physicality of creating these bigger than life biomorphic creatures, where Jason is all at once inside, outside and around the work at any given moment, twisting, maneuvering and weaving the balloons into their intricately choreographed forms, one sees the exuberantly purposeful blur of creation in motion.

Parallel Universe ~ Inside the Scarlet Empress

Jason makes it look easy and in fact, it is a methodically patient process from first balloon to last. The initial sketch from which he determines scale and estimates the number of latex balloons required for each, becomes the blueprint. But the real road map for these artworks  is inside Jason’s brain and are quite literally brought to life by the kinetic relationship between the balloons, the air inside of them, his hands, his body and the guidance of his creative will.

As Jason moves from installation to installation, he seems to leave a mixture of a inspiration, awe and happiness in his wake ~ not to mention ART! He has not only created the sculpture itself, but he has choreographed the experience of the making of the balloon sculptures with his crew which can take 8 hours or several days on-site to create. Once installed, these balloon sculptures which by nature have a short life span, inhabit their space and interact with you.

The Return of Trilodon, Installation ~ The New Children's Museum ~ San Diego, California

The beauty of Jason’s balloon sculptures actually exists within the arc of their short life span… the frenetic creation process during which they come into being, their magnificence at the peak of their power, and their progressive deterioration ~ morphing, sagging, loss of elasticity and seepage of their life breath. These balloon creatures are alive for a mere moment, asking that you capture their essence while you you are alive.

The Artist ~  Jason Hackenwerth has a lot to teach us. He leads by example, and how he fleshes out his creative process. He may simply be out and about making ART and bringing it to the people, but he represents a compelling artist spirit interacting with life, in motion. The combination of his ambition, skill, energy and personality guides him along this artist path. Never missing an opportunity to speak to kids who visit his installations, Jason Hackenwerth shares what he’s got for those who may be receptive. He seems to give something tangible of himself, and you just never know, that one fourth grader whose inspiration might be sparked as to the possibilities of becoming an artist.

Jason in motion, building Titan and the Fireflies for the Skybox, Philly Romy Owen’s Vimeo

You can also watch this artist interview by Philly.com/Daily News, posted today about

Titan and the Fireflies, detail

Hackenwerth’s opening at the 2424 Studios. Jason shares some personal history, his process as an artist in preparation for his work, as well as a bit about the making of Titan and the Fireflies.

If you would like to learn more about Jason and follow the path of his exhibitions, or simply track his career, you can become his fan on Facebook.

For more of Jason – in – Motion building his sculptures in time-delay, check out Romy Owen’s Vimeo page.

To purchase prints of Jason’s work, visit his web site

Looks like Jason will be at Art Miami December 3-6, on the beach for more wearable -  Megamite – fun.

Creative energy is never static, but contains a sense order arising from chaos. The kinetic energy expended during the process of creating these works infuses a sense of orderly stillness in the created object once complete and suspended in air for your viewing pleasure. Jason Hackenwerth embodies this sense of creation in motion in the making of his ART.

All Roads Lead to Svelata

All roads lead here, now. We are the sum of our life experiences and if you pay close attention, you will find yourself in the midst of a story unfolding.

Many of us have been taught that we cannot take art seriously and that we must prepare ourselves for the real world. If art is your calling, then these messages become detours which artists must overcome. Mia Tavonatti has learned to walk her artist path against the grain. And she walks it with focused determination. Her question to you is, “Has anyone ever discouraged you from becoming an artist out of fear that you won’t be able to support yourself, or that it is just not a viable path?” and “What was your response to that?” Did you go off of your path, did you find your way back? Please feel free to answer this question in the comments section at the end of this post. The road to Svelata promises a fresh look at the creative process and how we engage it.

For artist Mia Tavonatti it would seem that pushing against all of the mis-direction and dis-couragment of well meaning teachers, counselors and family members would only create a more cohesive path that would not only equip her with the skills for her current body of work consisting of 22 original oil paintings, Svelata, but also for the launch of her visionary project Svelata. For Mia, all roads have lead to Svelata and she invites you to join her on this road.

Svelata [zve-la'-ta] means, “unveiled” in Italian

Sirena ~ detail

Mia is a prolific and versatile artist. Having had many long talks with her over the last several years I feel I am only now grasping the intensity of the inner flame that keeps her true to herself. I have had the privilege of  witnessing the process and evolution of of her fine art paintings, the intricately detailed creation and installation of her glass mosaic projects and the generosity she exudes towards her students in whom she takes a personal interest in order to spark and excavate their own creative process and voice as if she’s prospecting for gold. You can view Mia’s illustration, mosaic works and early works at Mia Tavonatti.

In creating Svelata, the foundation, Mia is focusing on the power of beauty to transform. Her body of work, the Svelata paintings, were unveiled in Amalfi, Italy in 2008. Her original plan was  that this body of work would travel around Italy and Greece in various local venues.  Svelata has now transformed into an ambitious humanitarian project, Svelata, Inc. which includes the non-profit Svelata Foundation.

Mia’s mission is to bridge the gap between non-artist and artist by educating humanity about the true nature of creativity and reinventing the way artists work. She will do this by unveiling the creative processes beginning with her own. She wishes to demystify the “artist as magician” story and teach people about the true nature of the creative process through exhibitions, documentaries and educational programs designed to reveal the true nature of creativity so that it is accessible to all no matter what you are driven to create.

True to her generous nature, Svelata includes a youth mentorship program, scholarships and a visionary grant program which will enable other artists to create a body of work for the Svelata tour. They will no longer have the pressure of creating for commercial purposes as their works are not for sale. They are, in essence, being paid bring forth their best work and already have the vehicle in place to exhibit to a massive audience.

Mia is paving the way for this with her Svelata paintings. It is important to note that Mia Tavonatti herself is not being paid to create this body of work, there are no guarantees, and no one at present promising to purchase the paintings. What she does have is a focused vision and the ability to convey that vision which has, in turn, gathered an incredible team of experts around her who are on board to help fulfill Svelata’s potential.

To follow the exciting progress of Svelata and become aware of all Svelata activities, introductory exhibitions and promotional endeavors, become a FAN on Facebook.  Svelata is in “grow as you go” mode in honor of the present economic climate. To request a sponsorship package, please contact Mia Tavonatti directly through the Svelata Foundation fan page.

All Roads Lead to Svelata

Art Becomes You

I am impressed with the tenacity and courage of my artist friends and associates who are committed to a life process of creativity and mastering their craft. They exemplify the spirit of fleshing out their their art, and its evolution. Artists and creatives live lives that often go against the grain of how our culture defines success; they simultaneously work inside and outside the approved systems and structures.

I am interested in art that uplifts humanity whether intellectually, emotionally or spiritually. If a piece of artwork appears confrontational or destructive at first glance, it is important to take a step back and consider what function it serves. We are creatures of light and shadow after all. Is there truth inside of it? Are there structures that are being challenged or torn down? And, what is the function of the artist in our culture today? This, along with everything else, is evolving.

Perhaps, these days, artists define that question for themselves individually, as many artists today often feel they are on a lonely road. It seems that academia, fine art, commercial art, technology, multi-media platforms of today’s creative culture have blurred the lines of what was once well delineated.

Artists Access the Mystery of the Creative Process Aligning their Vision, their Skill and the Participation of the Viewer...

I am passionate about the creative processes of artists,  how that is expressed and manifest, and what they teach by living their lives authentically doing what they cannot help but do ~ and being what they cannot help, but be.

I am a passionate advocate and promoter of the creative process in art and in life. Interesting people turn me on animate me. This interaction is extremely rich.

I feel that art is the quintessential vehicle for the communication. Art Becomes You takes a look at what is being communicated.

Artwork Credit: Alex Grey.com