Oliver Doriss

NW Art Now @ Tacoma Art Museum

May 19, 2016 1 Comment

I am pleased to announce my participation in the NW Art Now exhibition hosted by the Tacoma Art Museum. It is an honor to be showing alongside so many of my good friends and peers. The piece I am presenting for this display is titled Alpine Panel – Study, it is a more intimate version of an earlier piece Alpine Panel. The show runs from May 14th to September 4th 2016

NW ART NOW @ TAM: social reflections within contemporary art

Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) debuts new and recent works by 24 regional artists in NW Art Now @ TAM, opening May 14. This exhibition highlights the current moment in Northwest visual arts with works that illuminate and respond to the social and environmental forces shaping our regional identity. Through their work, artists reveal tensions, provoke, delight, and inspire us to understand the challenging and urgent concerns of today. See how those themes appear in contemporary art through this special exhibition, on view through September 4, 2016.

“For the past 40 years, TAM has conducted regular surveys of contemporary art in the Northwest. We are proud that TAM takes on this important role to survey the art of our time and of our region,” said Stephanie Stebich, Executive Director at TAM.

Although the frequency and titles of TAM’s regional survey exhibitions has varied, the focus has remained constant – showcasing the achievements and advances made by artists working in the Northwest. Artists, curators, collectors, arts instructors, students, and art fans eagerly look forward to the surveys. You’d need to visit 24 art studios from Boise to Walla Walla and Seattle to Portland to see all of the works that NW Art Now @ TAM brings together in one stop in Tacoma.

How does a regional visual arts survey come together? Last winter, TAM issued an open call to artists, inviting them to submit digital images along with written statements about their work. Nearly 300 artists responded. This is a juried exhibition, meaning that the applications were reviewed and narrowed based on how the artworks and practices reflected the themes and goals of the exhibition. The co-curators then visited the studios or conference called each of the semi-finalists. The resulting show includes 24 artists and 47 works in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, craft-based work, as well as conceptual, performance, installation, and digital projects. Eleven of the original works will be on view for the very first time.

“It is fascinating to see how artists reach beyond the region and bring deep knowledge of contemporary art from around the world into their practices. They are raising the bar in really important ways,” observed Rock Hushka, Chief Curator and Curator of Contemporary and Northwest Art at Tacoma Art Museum. “These artists are changing our expectations about the role of art in shaping Northwest identity.”

The exhibition is co-curated by Hushka and Juan Roselione-Valadez, Director of the Rubell Family Collection (RFC), Contemporary Arts Foundation, in Miami, Florida. One of the world’s largest privately owned contemporary art collections, the RFC actively acquires and champions emerging artists working at the forefront of contemporary art. In addition to his work with the RFC, Roselione-Valadez has worked with some of the most prominent American and international artists, and is intimately familiar with the current trends of contemporary art, bringing broad and detailed background on current practices to this regional selection process. TAM frequently adds expertise and fresh perspectives from around the country, and has brought in art museum curators and scholars from New York City; Houston; Miami; Vancouver, BC; and other locations. Through this process the museum provides in-depth introductions to help specialists outside of our region become familiar with Northwest artists.

“I am extremely grateful for my time spent conversing with these compelling and generous artists in their studios and homes,” shared Roselione-Valadez. “Witnessing their process and listening to and seeing manifestations of their acute awareness of all that is working and all that is broken within the region, country, and world has left an indelible mark on me and the way I understand art, society, survival and our relationship to others and the environment.”

A few examples of the variety of interesting artworks in this exhibition include: Seattle artist Dylan Neuwirth’s 2014 Just Be Your Selfie is a large-scale neon installation that TAM will install under the canopy along Pacific Avenue, and which was much enjoyed during its previous installation in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Section of the I-705, on a Wednesday, for Electric Piano is an audio and video projection project by Portland artist Lou Watson, derived from the patterns of traffic along I-705 as filmed from the museum’s rooftop. Seattle’s Joey Veltkamp is crafting his largest work to date for this exhibition, a quilt project titled Life is Beautiful. Sculptor Humaira Abid from Renton will present a talk at the museum on June 1 at noon, as part of TAM’s free Lunch and Learn series. Hushka noted the remarkable number of Tacoma artists in the show who are creating notable work, including: Oliver Doriss, Christopher Paul Jordan, Jeremy Mangan, Asia Tail, Jamie Marie Waelchli, and John Sutton of SuttonBeresCuller who was born in Tacoma and today lives in Seattle.

NW Art Now @ TAM is an opportunity to see art history in the making, with fresh creative works inspired by regional artists’ reactions to the considerations of identity, social justice, and environmental stewardship. For more information, call TAM at 253-272-4258 or visit www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.

Posts

Even if I didn’t live here I wouldn’t want this

February 1, 2016 9 Comments

Just like any city movers and the shakers operate behind the scenes. however projects of this magnitude being pursued without full public consideration smells of desperation and shortsightedness. I along with many of my fellow citizens were astonished to learn of the scope and risk involved in these two massive projects and equally astonished that we have not heard more news of these planned constructions before. In my curiosity to learn more about this I contacted Claudia Reidener who provided me with following information.

“The port of Tacoma is proposing two projects:
1) LNG (already underway with approval) Liquefied Natural Gas export facility proposed by Bellevue-base Australia owned Puget Sound Energy (PSE). The proposal is for a 180 foot tall gas tanks with liquefied gas (at MINUS 260 F). This facility is solely use to store large quantities, for export, to sell later and to fuel one company’s ships (Tote). International standards say they have to be three miles away from civilians. At a 2014 Plymouth WA LNG accident the fire marshal called a ¾ mile lethal zone around the facility and evacuated everyone within a two mile radius.
Close call Fire & Evacuation at LNG Facility
LNG Facility Construction & Risks
City of Tacoma LNG Facility Timeline & Dates

North West Innovation Works LLC is a Chinese investment entity, proposing to build the largest methanol refinery in the world at the Port of Tacoma. As an LLC entity they minimize their risk leaving the Citizens of Tacoma with minimal recourse in the event of a catastrophic event.

2) NWIW (North West Innovation Works) wants to build the worlds largest methanol refinery facility. If built this refinery would consume 450 MW electricity from Tacoma Public Utilities, owned by the citizens of Tacoma. 450 MW can power 350,000 – 450,000 households according to the hydropower association. Tacoma has about 87,000 households. The refinery would also consume 14 to 21 million gallons of fresh water per DAY. All of Tacoma uses about 16 million gallons day. Also produced in the process 1.44 million gallons toxic waste water per day fed into our waste water treatment facility. Tagro is made from wastewater sludge. The refinery would also pump in 524 million cubic feet a DAY of fracked gas. The company piping in the gas is Williams Co, the same company that had the LNG accident just about a year ago (link above), and they have had gas pipeline accidents again and again and again. All these resources would be refined into highly volatile and toxic methanol, to be shipped via diesel powers massive chemical tankers to china to be turned into plastics. They are proposing to store 300,000 metric tanks on site, in above ground tanks. NWIW never built anything, anywhere. AS a corporate structure they tend to re-incorporate frequently to avoid responsibility down the line. Their maximum liability insurance is 50 million, plus 25 million environmental damage.”
City of Tacoma Proposed Methanol Facility Dates & Information
No Water for Methanol Facebook Page

To date the only long-term benefit of these facilities that I am aware of is the creation of a meager 200 permanent jobs after construction, and somehow this will reduce greenhouse emissions by allowing china to burn less coal? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

– Oliver Doriss

Posts, Sculpture, Shows & Events

Clearly: Glass as Sculpture at CCMoA

September 13, 2015 1 Comment

– CCMoA Presents –

Clearly: Glass as Sculpture at
Opening September 5 through November 15, 2015

Reception: September 10, 5:30-7 pm
Gallery Talk: September 10, 4 pm

In “Clearly: Glass as Sculpture”, the stage is set to explore a wide range of glass sculpture created by regional artists working in this medium. A few artists will be selected and recognized for their contributions by the director of the Fuller Craft Museum, Jonathan L. Fairbanks, who will also give a presentation on the history of glass. Informative demonstrations by participating artists on the various techniques used to create glass sculpture will be held in conjunction with the exhibition

The gallery talk will be held by Jonathan Fairbanks, director of Fuller Craft Museum. Fairbanks will be giving the Edmund L. Zachar Memorial Lecture.

This is a strong exhibition of contemporary glass, and I am thrilled to be showing alongside these artists. Additionally I am honored to accept the “Most Fitting to the Theme” award as presented by the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Thank you. -Oliver

Art, Installation, Posts

FLOW

September 14, 2014 No Comments

In the chilly waters of the Thea Foss one may observe a unique phenomenon, an impossible view into the surface of the harbor. The crisp form of FLOW is the embodiment of negative space and speaks through reflection and diffraction. Its rigid form juxtaposed against fluid motions of the water. This piece works seamlessly within the aquatic environment cycling every 45 minutes it is synchronized with the rhythms of the natural world.

FLOW is visible from the promenade in front of the Museum of Glass just in the waters off Dock St. Marina. For me this piece is a proof of concept and I look forward to applying these dynamics in a permanent setting. FLOW is best viewed at an oblique angle.

I really enjoyed the process of creating of this dynamic piece. I have dedicated a significant amount time this year resolving the many complexities of both the fabrication of the acrylic form and the function of the mechanical aspects. FLOW challenged every one of my accumulated creative skills including electrical, acrylic fabrication as well as mathematics for the calculation of water levels, flow and displacement. The installation within the decidedly hostile waters Thea Foss Waterway added additional variables to this already complex project.

Because of the limited budget this project was designed around preexisting equipment and materials available in my community. I also familiarized myself with the laser plotter at FabLab in Tacoma to cut the acrylic components. Another hurtle was my lack of a testing pool and had to call in the help of my friends in the marina for assistance. Lastly I would like to thank the Tacoma Arts Commission for taking a chance on this project. Without the help of this organization I would never have embarked upon this fantastic voyage. -Oliver Doriss

FLOW is on display from September 6th to October 6th it cycles every 45 minutes and is illuminated for night time viewing.

This piece was realized through support, funding and donations from the following entities.
Special Thanks to:

-Tacoma Arts Commission
-Cayn Thomson
-Second Cycle Community Bicycle Shop
-Craig Perry
-Delin Docks / Dock Street Marina

Posts

the FLOW proposal

May 17, 2014 1 Comment

FLOW is a structured formation of negative space within a body of water. This void will be created in the form of letters. The letters will spell out a word that is directly related to the location of installation.

This project will operate much like a boat. The main body of the boat will fabricated from clear Acrylic. It will float just at the surface of the water. Surface water will cascade over the leading edge of the vessel obscuring the outer wall. This “Vessel” will have a self-regulating bilge pump to maintain its level of buoyancy. The finished piece will be displayed summer of 2013 in the Thea Foss Waterway. The final text size and shape will be determined by location and engineering constraints.

FLOW will be on display in the Thea Foss September 2014

Posts

Origin of the Baby Head Cup

January 8, 2014 No Comments

Lets go back in time to Boston Massachusetts 1993 (dream sequence sound) I was in my early twenties living out in Brighton at the time. Similar to many young adults my friends were able to rent this huge house and filled it with creative types. They all piled into this giant home with a band practice room in the basement. I spent many a fun filled evening at this house, parties, dinners and everything in between. It was known as the “Big House” Groove Butcher was the house band and everyone was playing shows and involved in the in Allston scene, AKA “Rock City” It was a creative and exciting time so much was going on. On a particular day one of the house members came home with two garbage bags full of doll parts, heads legs bodies. Needless to say our creativity got the better of us and the crafting began.

Doll parts everywhere. Have you ever seen an illuminated strand of baby doll Christmas lights, nope? They’re awesome! The eyes would glow through the creepy flesh tone empty socket. Our savior Jesus Christ with a doll head helmet? Fu*%ing perfect! This went on for months until we had worked though our stash. We would plant doll heads in each others stuff, it wasn’t uncommon to open up your courier bag at work the next day to find a doll head in there, they were in the cabinets, baby doll hand drawer pulls, even in the shower, you name it.

During this time I was producing glass and working through my degree at Massachusetts College of Art. It seems that every artist goes through a doll part phase. It is such powerful iconic image, I mean they don’t even look like children; it’s just this ready-made weird symbolic form that says creepy innocence. At Mass Art I had access to foundry equipment as well as hot glass so it wasn’t long before I crafted a two-part metal blow mold to make glass baby heads. My original concept had a long stalk for the neck topped with a doll head which was to be clustered in groups, totally immature, but awesome. Naturally money was becoming a factor in my life and it wasn’t long before I was making and marketing the Baby Head Bong, complete with these two adorable little horns on it. The Baby Head Cups has served as a macabre canvas for a many decorations. I mean I’ve made baby head everything, decanters, goblets, baby head devil horns, and the clown, complete with a red nose. This mold has been a part of my tool kit for many years. During my time producing work for Dale Chihuly any glass start with a flaw in the decoration like a bubble or scar would get blown into the baby head mold producing drinking glasses for the crew. Ultimately we had this amazing collection of Baby Head Cups with Chihuly colors and decoration. It was silly; you could track his design progression just by looking in our cupboard. Writing this piece makes me realize this Baby Head Cup thing I have created is so much bigger than me. Thankfully I copyrighted them years ago. –Oliver Doriss

www.babyheadgalsses.com

Art, Installation, Posts, Sculpture, Shows & Events

SkyPonds

July 15, 2008 No Comments

Oliver-May18th44 The SkyPonds installation was part of the 2008 Centennial Celebration of the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. This collaboration between artists Joseph Miller and Oliver Doriss was a response to the unique aesthetic of this historic structure. The installation is a marriage of botanical properties and Tacoma’s tradition of glass making. The cloud forms balance each other symbolizing the delicate interaction of our own ecosystems. They participate in the daily cycles of the conservatory life, gentile condensations, rusting, growing, and evaporating. A closed little loop of life that mimics our own.