Interview
Consenses Interview with Sally Taylor:
Your Name: Jon Koehler Where you live: Point loma, San Diego, CA Where you came from: Point loma, San Diego, CA Your Medium: Stainless Steel The name of your work: “Empathy” Dimensions: (Height, length, width & weight)26 x 14 x 9 inches about 8-10 lbs Price: Wholesale (how much would your work be to buy?) $2500
What made you want to participate in this project? I really love the idea of the collaboration of artists across many mediums. I was honored to be asked to participate, by my good friend Scarlett Keyes
Without going back to the art I sent you what do you remember about it? I remember the various types of movement starting with the feet and moving into a full body dance. I remember the spiral movements that started in the legs and carried through the whole body and out the arms with the tempo and changes in the pace of the dance.
What was your first reaction to the art? (thoughts, emotions, memories, tastes, smells etc?) I remember feeling a longing to know the music inside the dancers mind, and how graceful she moved, empathically translating the sound.
If you had to choose one word to sum up the art I sent what would it be? Empathic
What emotion did it elicit? A calm regard for the world, and my surroundings
What was the art about in your mind? (Did it tell a story? Paint a picture? Etc.) It was more about the movements and taking that movement with me as I twisted and formed the metal
Take me through each step of your process from getting the art to the creation of your work. It starts with a flat shape. For this one I choose a flat shape that flared at each end and was skinny in the middle. I felt that it had a dance quality to it before I even started. I polished one side and textured the other side. Then the whole shape went through the “roller” (big machine for rolling metal). Once done in the roller, a bit of sculpture wrestling is needed. Human touch is required to bring the art into its final shape. Then the sculpture is mounted to a marble base, and polished.
What did you title your work and why? Empathy I felt that this process of art being passed on, lends a very empathetic feeling from one artist to the next. From the dance I watched, I felt empathy for the emotions of the world. Especially as I watched the video with no audio. I felt that the needs of the world were implied in the dance.
What part of your work came to you first? When I create I like to be very open to the creative flow and allow the material to speak to me in the creation process. As I cut the shape, and then texture/polish the sides, I am allowing the piece to come alive. When it is time for the “rolling” process, at that moment in time the piece decides which direction is best for rolling. Then a bit of sculpture wrestling happens and then piece of art is born.
How do you normally create? How was this experience different? I stuck with my standard approach when I create my art. I let the art speak to me as it is coming to life.
What techniques/tools did you use to help you express you’re interpretation? I pull from a life time of welding experience, from yacht to race cars, and art. I have worked in so many various mediums and metals that each “project” presents unique challenges to work through. From this experience I have learnt many creative approaches to manipulating metal.
Are there certain choices you made which mean something specific to you that the observer might not know? I am passionate about creating art as a form of expression. Through diligent efforts I have found a balance with my creative manifestations. I am very grateful to be living my life & pursuing my passions.
Extra credit: Did you enjoy this project? More you want to say about your experience? I enjoyed this project very much, I love the collaboration effort and collection of talented artist that came together to make this happen. I have found it very inspiring. Thank you again for including me.
