Alison Carey

Holiday Greetings!

Here in Chicago, I am all bundled up, trying to stay out of the cold and looking forward to my second Yuma conference. The warmth of the Yuma sun cannot reach me soon enough. It will be great to see the desert sand, meet amazing artists and reunite with long time friends. 

The work I will be presenting is from my series New Kingdoms and it is influenced by biotechnology and my thoughts about the future of human evolution. Through my photographs I depict a future Earth where humans have altered the course of evolution by introducing synthetically grown organisms into the environment. This aftermath of biotechnology takes place in a post human era where man-made life forms have adapted to the natural world. Genetically engineered beings have infiltrated the Earth’s surface developing new habitats and ecosystems within the landscape. 

 Generator

 

The sculptures in my dioramas are created to be photographed, and are made from a combination of flesh like materials that are inorganic or no longer living. These entities are without medical purpose and are benign in their existence. Contrary to my approach, there is the potential to use tissue engineering for unorthodox purposes. Particularly unsettling is the thought that someday it may be possible to construct autonomous, functioning "beings" that are able to survive outside the controlled facilities of a research laboratory.

Heart Vessel Graft

 

Finger Buds

As the entities in my photographs colonize the terrain, the evolution of these unique species’ usher our planet into a new biological epoch in the history of life. Through cycles of hybridization, reproduction, mutation, and extinction, survival of the fittest plays out in these scenes.

During my talk I will discuss the ideas behind my work and the materials and processes I use to create it.

I can’t wait to meet you all, and I wish you a Happy New Year, Cheers!

-Alison Carey  2014 Yuma Symposium Presenter 

View Alison's Website

Claudia Foret

  I have been participating in the Yuma Symposium for 2 years, and each year a new memory is made. What strikes me most is the camaraderie that is felt among the presenters and participants and the level of interaction that goes on. There are a lot of novice and students and what surprises me is the level of warmth and openness the presenters have for other aspiring artists. 

My level of participation is in helping promote the artists that will present for the symposium so my exchange is primarily with the local newspaper. I can't begin to tell you how much each artist presenter impresses me every year. Each coming from their own specialty. Given the level of caliber of the various artists, it was a difficult choice but I have enclosed a few images of some past artists whose work I was impressed by. I hope you enjoy as much as I have!

 

 Claudia Foret

 

 Deborah Ford

 Jody Alexander

 Jody Alexander

 Ron Jones

 Nancy Megan Corwin

 Inez Storer

 

 

Mark Ramsour

Hi Yumans!

Twenty years after my arrival in Arizona, I discovered the Yuma Art Symposium. When I did my life was changed forever for better. Now, each year after the hub-bub of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows, I look forward to the peace and quiet as well as the restorative energy of the Symposium.

The pin swap and registration activities at Lute's Casino were the first events to catch my attention. I've included a few examples of my trade pins over the years herewith. Of course the presentations and demos remain the primary focus of the weekend. And many of us fondly recall the pre-9/11 forays to Mexico for fish tacos and other,...uh, consumables!

Yet the most fun of all continues to be the Saw, File and Solder Sprints. Three-member teams compete against time and each other to be the first to cut, shape and join a copper ring band. This is all done on a folding table, in a parking lot, with only the most rudimentary tools--rain, wind or sunshine! The festive atmosphere on Saturday afternoon is complete with elaborate costumes, team chants and, occasionally, cheerleaders.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or this is will be your first Yuma experience, the Sprints are the very embodiment of the joy and camaraderie of the event. Come celebrate 35 years of Art in the Desert.

Best regards,
Mark 
Board Member Yuma Symposium