Synchronicity in Art Gives a Snapshot of Life

Recently, I’ve come across the work of two artists who are juxtaposing images in a way that makes the viewer think about the concept of time. Even though I don’t own a watch (evidenced by my chronic tardiness) and have never really understood “Time” as a man-made concept (evidenced by my lack of mastery of Daylight Savings Time), I love thinking about what has taken place at a particular spot over the course of history. Who lived in my house when it was first built in 1937? What did they do, what did they argue about, what did they want out of life?

Jo Teeuwisse, a historical consultant in Amsterdam, explored her curiosity about her city’s past after finding World War II era negatives at a flea market. She found the location of the images and layered them over her own recent photographs. Click here to see more images and read an interview with Teeuwisse about her work.




From a contemporary perspective, artist Erin Cooney sought to capture one minute of life from people across the globe in her Simultania Project. Cooney states, “The Simultania Project is about having people from all over the world film and record sound during the same 1-minute-moment in time on Saturday, November 13, and then assembling the resulting footage into a video installation that plays back all the simultaneous perspectives together and in sync.” I especially like the soundscape Cooney complied from the video submissions. Click here to see the project.

Touching Strangers: Awkwardness or Awesomeness?

Photographer Richard Renaldi is exploring human connections and separation in his photography. Basically, he asks two complete strangers if they would be willing to touch each other and pose for a photograph while doing so. Awkward? Especially here in the LA area, most have limited interaction with people they don't know, because we're often in our cars. How would you react if asked to touch a complete stranger for a photo? Renaldi has come up with some great juxtapositions that instantly make you want to know more about his subjects. Read more about Renaldi in Brad Horn's story for NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/11/01/130974145/touching-strangers

clay: musings about the dirty stuff that blows my mind

Since I don’t mind getting a little dirty, ceramics is the perfect art form for me. I don’t mind being covered from head to toe with splatters of clay. This is often literally the case. When leaving my studio to get a drink from the kitchen, there's a trail of powdered footprints leading to a goop-daubed coffee mug, which is held by my dry, clay-caked hand (FYI, this is in stark contrast to Patrick’s meticulous painting practices).

This raw, dirty quality is part of the primordial appeal of working with clay. Its tactile qualities attract kids, amateur hobbyists, fine artists, and people from all other walks of life. Who hasn’t held a malleable ball of clay in their hands and not wanted to make something out of it? We’ve all rolled a lump of clay into a coil and pretended it was a snake (ok, maybe it was Play-doh, but the impulse remains the same). Perhaps it’s a primordial urge to mold vessels like our ancestors made for thousands of years. Perhaps it is a way to reconnect with the earth. Or, maybe it’s just fun.

It’s easy.

It lacks the pretentious restrictions of “high-art” media. Clay is a medium for self-expression that seems to come naturally to everyone, and that is where I find the excitement in it. People are creative beings by nature, and ceramics are an accessible path to expressing that creativity. Who knows what people will create next? What will you create next?

Throughout years of working with clay, I've developed a personal philosophy inspired by its qualities: a loose metaphor for life. Clay is from the earth, and, ultimately, returns to the earth. It can be shaped into infinite forms, but just add water and it returns to its basic state. It will reveal any texture you press into it like a written history. If there is a flaw that is masked while building a piece, it will eventually reveal itself in the final product. It is strong enough to stretch to delicate lengths. However, it has limits and will break, slump, or crumble when pushed beyond them. But, even if that flaw rears its ugly head or the beautiful masterpiece becomes a hideous eyesore, just add water, and start over. Its a lump of clay again, ready to be something new.

In my work, I am deeply influenced by forms in nature. Even when I'm not thinking about it, organic forms take shape; it is just part of my artistic voice. I'm not a fan of rigidity or straight lines, as they so rarely occur in nature.


(All images above are the intellectual property of Sonia Farrand)



Below: a few of my favorite artists with whom I feel an aesthetic affinity

Antoni Gaudi























Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec



























Steven Hill
































Salvador Dali

Photos from the Painting and Ceramics Art Show

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and made the event a huge success. Patrick and I were excited to share the work we have been producing, and we can't wait to have more shows in the near future!

Studio 1021 in Everything Long Beach

Studio 1021 was featured in Everything Long Beach, and they mentioned our upcoming show (Saturday, October 2)! Check it out:

Studio 1021 is presenting a one-night exhibition featuring the vibrant paintings of Patrick Farrand and the organic ceramic sculptures and pottery of Sonia Farrand. Come see the work of Studio 1021’s owners, while enjoying a complimentary hors d’oeuvre and cocktail reception. Support the Long Beach arts at this entirely FREE event.
The Studio 1021 one-night exhibition is Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 7-10 p.m. Studio 1021 is located at 1021 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802.

Read more at:

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/studio-1021s-painting-and-ceramics-exhibition/

Painting and Ceramics Art Show at Studio 1021!

Come join us on Saturday, October 2 for a one-night exhibition here at Studio 1021! Patrick and I have been hard at work in the studio, and we are excited to show off our newest pieces. For those who don't know, I (Sonia) make ceramic sculptures and pottery, and Patrick will be showcasing his newest paintings and drawings. Come support Studio 1021 while enjoying a complimentary hors d'oeuvre and cocktail reception at this entirely FREE event. And bring friends. We love friends.

1021 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802
Saturday, October 2, 2010 7-10 p.m.

Click the image below for a map, and please spread the word!

Art Discovery: Leonardo da Vinci's Ultrathin Paint Layers

Leonardo da Vinci is well known for evoking subtlety and mystery in his paintings, but only recently did scientists discover a technique he used to accomplish this effect. Apparently, da Vinci layered up to 30 coats of paint on his work, and each layer was no more than a glaze. All together, the 30 layers of paint are still half the thickness of a human hair!

Though impasto (thick, visible layers of paint), is a commonly used painting style today, I think there are contemporary lessons to be learned from this discovery. If you are deliberately painting thickly to accomplish your artistic vision, that's one thing. But if you are using multiple layers of paint to mask imperfections (or lack of substance), then it might be time to look to the old masters and refine your approach.

Interestingly, this discovery was the result of new x-ray technology that can distinguish between paint layers without requiring a sample from the painting. After all, no one wants to gouge a chunk out of the Mona Lisa! Well, maybe Michelangelo would have . . . (a little Art History humor? anyone??)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/16/french-scientists-crack-s_n_649350.html