VC Projects (Victoria Chapman), producer of art based curatorial projects in USA and Europe shares, "Conversations About Art" with Los Angeles based international artist, Shane Guffogg. The pair weave interesting discussions about Guffogg's studio practice and other topics centered around art and the intellect.
episode 46
In today's episode, I sit down with Los Angeles-based artist Shane Guffogg, whose post-postmodernist paintings have captured attention over the past 25 years. We delve into Shane's synesthesia, a unique perception that has profoundly shaped his artistic journey, influencing not only his painting process but also how he envisions his work in terms of sound.
Shane shares a fascinating glimpse into his personal history, blending reflective monologues with insights on artificial intelligence.
Episode 45
In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Ipshita Maitra, a lens-based artist based in India, renowned for her work in mixed media and collage. Our focus is on her series “Where Voices Call,” captured through color photography. The discussion starts with Ipshita’s morning rituals, which lead into the deeper psychic and spiritual themes of her series. Ipshita explores the secrets of the forest and her project’s origins, which began as a dream.
Episode 44
Renowned artist Shane Guffogg and art historian and curator Thierry Tessier go head-to-head completing the Proust Questionnaire.
French novelist, critic, and essayist Marcel Proust created the “Proust Questionnaire” to better understand an individual. The questionnaire is still used by interviewers today.
In this episode, Tessier interviews Guffogg. The questions are direct, and Guffogg’s answers are quite surprising. This method, also used by Proust, is often considered a form of confessional. Just as the listener is surprised by the answers, so is Guffogg. This is the nature of this fascinating questionnaire, from "What is your most treasured possession" and "Who are your heroes in real life" to the probing question: "How would you prefer to die?" This makes for a very entertaining episode.
Episode 43
Renowned artist Shane Guffogg and art historian and curator Thierry Tessier share an insightful talk about Impressionism and its influence. Guffogg begins by discussing his own sources of influence and inspiration. Tessier adds depth to the conversation by sharing historical facts, touching on key points about the artists involved and the socio-cultural context of the time. This engaging conversation showcases the passionate perspectives of both speakers.
exhibitions, and lectures. https://www.vanitiesgallery.net
Music by Stevie Kincheloe and Steven Dayvid McKellar
Episode 42
Welcome to a special series of talks featuring artist Shane Guffogg and curator Thierry Tessier. Tessier, an art historian and curator, engages in a detailed conversation with world-renowned artist Guffogg. They discuss art history, studio processes, and compare European and contemporary art, focusing on its history of appropriation. The dialogue also explores Guffogg’s perspective on his self-portraiture and includes questions about the future of art through AI. The conversation becomes personal as Guffogg delves into the subject of truth and art-making with a capital “A” and his 2003 Art Manifesto: Pharmaka. Join us as the American post-postmodernist painter explores the meaning of art with this French art professional, based in Paris.
Episode 41
In this episode, I sit down with Stevie Kincheloe amidst the immersive ambiance of her art installation, "My Self Being My Self" at El Nido art space in Los Angeles. We delve deeply into the genesis of this captivating creative venture, tracing its inception, evolution, and the pivotal stages of the installation's development. Our conversation unfolds with precision, capturing the intricate narrative woven into the fabric of vulnerability and transparency inherent in the fleeting nature of selfhood.
Episode 40
In this episode, we delve into an engaging art discussion recorded at the opening reception of "Lines and Dots - Thoughts Before Language" exhibition held on January 27th, 2024, in the Blue Room at El Nido, Los Angeles. Shane Guffogg and I engage in a heartfelt dialogue, meticulously exploring a curated selection of paintings spanning from 1991 to 2018. The exhibition serves as a comprehensive survey of his career.
EPISODE 39
During this episode, we speak to Ipshita Maitra, a lens-based artist from India who works across various forms of mixed media and collage. We discuss Ipshita’s “At Home, In Exile” series, captured in black and white photography. We also hear Ipshita’s views on the artisT’s relationship with their practice, reaching the spiritual through the physical, being a vessel, influences, and philosophies, and further, pushing the medium - experimentation and play.
Ipshita Maitra | At Home, In Exile
Ipshita Maitra | At Home, In Exile
Ipshita Maitra | At Home, In Exile
Ipshita Maitra | At Home, In Exile
EPISODE 38
In this episode, artist Shane Guffogg discusses his recent solo exhibition at the Bovolo Museum in Venice, Italy, inspired by T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets." The exhibition, featuring twenty-one paintings spread across two rooms, explores themes of reaching into silence, conquering time, and the coexistence of flesh and fleshless. Guffogg highlights the significance of the largest work and its connection to Tintoretto's "Paradiso," which is also displayed in the museum.
EPISODE 37
Shane Guffogg on Sam Francis – Recollections on the studio and creative process of Sam Francis
This is an informal talk during “cocktail hour” as Shane Guffogg, and I share a chat about Shane’s recollections of going in and out of Sam Francis’s studio, in Venice, California, during the late 80s into the early 90s. Guffogg was in his late 20s and a studio assistant to Joe Goode, and Ed Ruscha. Sam’s studio was next door to Goode, and Guffogg would often be called into his studio to help with moving or stretching paintings. The impression of the time in Sam’s studio was an incredible gift, “It made such an impression that being an artist was possible …” “Seeing Sam’s space gave me the freedom to imagine.” It’s a fun conversation, imagining Guffogg’s experience, and the way he tells his stories is very descriptive.
EPISODE 36
Shane Guffogg: The Ranch – Interview with the artist about his art and lifestyle
In this episode, we sit down with Shane Guffogg in Hollywood to discuss the two films that have been made about his ranch by Eric Minh Swenson.
EPISODE 35
Stevie Kincheloe: The Living Artist Workshop Series
In this episode, we speak to Stevie Kincheloe, co-founder of The Living Artist, about their upcoming creative Workshop Series on Living in Alignment with Your Creative Life-Cycle™, where artists learn to navigate their creative fears and find their inner truth.
EPISODE 34
Steven Dayvid McKellar: “Nooit ge Dacht” an exhibition of paintings, drawings, objects, and sound.
In this episode, we speak to Steven Dayvid McKellar, a musician, painter, and poet from Cape Town, South Africa. After a 20-year music career, touring globally with his band, Civil Twilight, Steven began releasing his first solo records and returned to his roots in painting.
EPISODE 33
KARNEJ: Gestura 1 and 1.2
In this episode, we meet in Los Angeles with KARNEJ and Stevie Kincheloe regarding the inauguration of Gestura1 (2/16/23) and 1.2 (2/18/2023) and to untangle the curious web of what and how the experience came about. Was it a performance? Maybe but not; instead, from my point of view, it was something between a birth and exorcism (without the evil spirits.) We unpack the mystery of both events and share our experiences which touch on elements of intention, improvisation, actuality, sacred space, object-hood, primal states, realms of spirituality, and altered consciousness.
EPISODE 32
Aya Metwalli, Egyptian Sound Composer: “Conjuring Spirits”
We open this episode meeting Aya Metwalli in Bierut, just a three-weeks after her performance at ECLAT Neue Musik Festival, Stuttgart, accompanied by Tony Elieh. We hear about the audience and their 40-minute improvised set. Interestingly, Aya opened with an interpretation of an Oum Kulthum lyric. This brings an intriguing conversation about conjuring spirits. Aya states she enjoys “singing songs from the past that is not only an ode but also a grievance or funeral; these are things that still exist.” I agree the music of (Oum Kulthum) somehow refers to a “death of self.”
EPISODE 31
Karnej:Gestura
In this episode, we meet in Hollywood at El NIDO to speak to KARNEJ about the gestura - a series of monthly performances encompassing sound, words, objects, movement, and artificial intelligence components. The series seeks to make visible the importance of gesture in play, gestura1 is a scenario contrived by KARNEJ with the help of dancer/interpreter Stevie Kincheloe. Both will collaborate with movement-tracking body sensors, modular electronics, and A.I. text transcribers to create a spoken word piece consisting of triggered vocalized words/phrases. In a way (so to speak), "dancing the poem." Its inauguration is Thursday, February 16th, at 7 pm at El NIDO.
EPISODE 30
Shane Guffogg: Xingu
In this episode, we speak to Los Angeles-based international artist Shane Guffogg about his upcoming exhibition, Xingu, medium to large-scale works on paper and found objects installation. Opening Saturday, February 18th, 2023, at El NIDO by VC Projects, 1028 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029. The artist reception on the 18th also features a curated music program by pianist Anthony Cardella.
EPISODE 29
Interview with Valentina Magaletti Drummer, Composer, and Multi-Instrumentalist: “Permanent Draft”
In this episode, I talk to Valentina Magaletti, drummer-composer, before her solo performance at Zebulon LA on January 23, 2023. The Italian-born and London-based musician has an inventive approach to drums and percussion. Valentina’s versatile technique, which can incorporate anything from vibes and marimba to contact microphones and found objects, results in a style that is forever evolving.
EPISODE 28
Interview with interdisciplinary artists Stevie Kincheloe and Steven David McKeller
Entity/Identity: An Intimate Collaboration
In this episode, we meet in candlelight with interdisciplinary artists Stevie Kincheloe and Steven Dayvid McKeller to discuss their sonic and poetic performance “Who Would I Be.”
Within our talk, we learn about their partnership as well as their collaborative efforts that touch on aspects of entity/identity.
EPISODE 27
Interview with Aya Metwalli: Egyptian Sound Composer, Microphones and Mirrors
In this episode via Zoom, we are transported from Hollywood to Beirut, where I speak to Egyptian artist Aya Metwalli, a vocalist, composer, improviser, and performer. Her favorite things are microphones and mirrors. Aya likes to crochet melodies with noise and constantly listens to music in the chaos around her.
The tracks we discuss can be found from these online sources:
"Matkhafsh Menni" (Don’t be scared of me)
"Splendor" (in progress work)
"100 Leyl" (nights)
EPISODE 26
Shane Guffogg: Blue
In this episode, Shane and I meet on Zoom to explore the current exhibition on Western Avenue titled Shane Guffogg: "Blue" on Western Avenue in Hollywood, With me in the gallery space and Shane at his ranch in Central Valley, we meticulously do a "deep dive" into the paintings and the topic of transcendence.
EPISODE 25
Shane Guffogg: The Past as Future is Present - Conversations Through Time
In this episode, we talk to International artist Shane Guffogg about making "The Past as Future is Present - Conversations Through Time" art installation (September 2022) in collaboration with VC Projects and Vramyan Interiors. This informal behind-the-scenes talk between the artist and curator shares unique moments about the installation process.
EPISODE 24
Interview with Stevie Kincheloe: Channeling Truth Through Movement
In this episode, we speak to interdisciplinary artist, Stevie Kincheloe about channeling truth through movement. We begin discussing Stevie’s collaboration in “Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound” (May 23 – June 10, 2022), curated by VC Projects at El Nido, Los Angeles.
EPISODE 23
Interview with Anthony Cardella, Concert Pianist, a talk about inspiration.
In this episode I speak to Anthony Cardella, a Los Angeles-based Concert Pianist, who accompanied Shooka Afshar, Soprano, in the musical program, “Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound” and art exhibition presented by VC Projects.
EPISODE 22
Interview with Felix Werner, Film Producer and Director, The New Independent, and Hieronyvision
I speak to Los Angeles-based Film Producer and Director Felix Werner during this talk. We discuss his early beginnings, growing up in a highly creative family that spans nine generations in the arts and entertainment industry. I asked Felix how he felt growing up in this environment and what drove him to be an art history major and, later an independent filmmaker.
EPISODE 21
Interview with Shane Guffogg, Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound
In this episode, we speak to Shane Guffogg about the upcoming event at El Nido art space in Hollywood curated by VC Projects, where it not only features his oil paintings but also features an opera performance of arias and art songs by Shooka Afshar, Soprano and Anthony Cardella, Piano.
EPISODE 20
Interview with Shooka Afshar, Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound
In this episode, we speak to The Quantum Soprano, Shooka Afshar; this is our second interview with the dynamic opera singer and composer. This discussion centers around her performance at El Nido art space, curated by VC Projects, titled “Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound,” where she sings opera arias and art songs accompanied by pianist Anthony Cardella.
EPISODE 19
Interview with Shooka Afshar: On Opera: Women / Immigration / Fight or Flight
In this episode, we speak to Quantum Soprano and Composer Shooka Afshar. The talk centers around Afshar’s her opera, Women / Immigration / Fight or Flight, and her upcoming performance at El Nido art space, presented by VC Projects located in East Hollywood.
EPISODE 18
Interview with Natasha Rudenko: Be/longing
In this episode, I speak to Los Angeles-based Natasha Rudenko about her upcoming solo exhibition: Be/longing conceptual photography at El Nido art space presented by VC Projects, located in East Hollywood, from February 19th – March 24, 2022.
EPISODE 17
Shane Guffogg: On the Road to Napoli
This episode is the continuation of “The Bay of Naples Paintings” podcast with Los Angeles-based international artist, Shane Guffogg. During this talk, we hear about Guffogg’s trip to Naples, Italy where he was given the task by Cynthia Penna, International Curator and Founder of ART1307, to interpret James Fenimore Cooper’s “Gleanings of Italy” writings dated 1838.
EPISODE 16
Shane Guffogg: The Bay of Naples Paintings
In this episode, my guest, Shane Guffogg and I discuss his current project, which consists of two oil on canvas paintings, (6 x 8 feet), and (40 x 30 inches), created for a group exhibition at the Royal Palace of Portici and the Museum of Herculaneum in Naples, Italy. This exhibition is curated by Cynthia Penna and opens on December 10th, 2021.
The curator assigned each of the 6 American artist, an American author who wrote about Naples. Guffogg was given the 19th-century historical romance author James Fenimore Cooper, and the book, Gleanings of Italy. The artist took the following passages for his inspiration,
EPISODE 15
Barbara Flood’s Closet - A life
In this episode, I speak to the ever-dynamic fashion and life guru, Barbara Flood. We explore Barbara's early beginnings as a model, and actress, along with her colorful life living amongst theatre, art, and music. Barbara explains her styling career and work as a life coach, which she refers to as "The Clinic." – an honest approach, via telephone. Barbara reveals her secrets on living life to the fullest, engaging the community, and directing individuals toward their own personal authenticity, identity, and finding inner peace.
EPiSODE 14
Interview with Shane Guffogg and Stanley Dorfman, Shaping a Cultural History
In this episode, Shane Guffogg, and I speak to the most talented and gifted Stanley Dorfman. We weave in and out of his history and also talk to him about his upcoming episode on The art of Art, where Guffogg is the host. The television series explores artists in their studios and what makes them tick.
EPISODE 13
Shane Guffogg: The Influence of Place
In this episode, my guest, Shane Guffogg, and I talk about the influence of Los Angeles, and his Central California ranch, and how it affects his art. We learn about how he adapts to each studio and the environment and how this feeds his passion for his art-making process.
EPISODE 12
Introducing The art of Art
In this episode, my guest Shane Guffogg and I discuss the release of the first episode of "The art of Art", which is a new program that delves into the creative process of visual and performing artists, hosted by Los Angeles-based artist Shane Guffogg and released on the newly launched independent arts hub HIERONYVISION, https://hieronyvision.com
EPISODE 11
𝐁𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐣ö𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧: Aesthetics and Body Consciousness in Painting
In this interview, 𝐁𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐣ö𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 and I talk about aesthetics and body consciousness in painting.
EPISODE 10
Shane Guffogg: The Alchemist
In terms of the artist’s practice, alchemy is turning organic matter into paint. It’s the transformation from one element to another. The artist is one who takes materials and turns it into a portal to another realm. All this comes about in a silent and universal language for the viewer or receiver to reflect and feel. In this talk, Shane Guffogg, and I explore his process and much more.
EPISODE 9
The One Picture Show: Shane Guffogg
Conversation with Adam Gross and Shane Guffogg
This is an insightful conversation covering Guffogg’s current solo exhibition, “The One Picture Show” at GrossArt at SPACE 1028 located in East Hollywood. The dialogue explores the colossal 7-foot by 9-foot painting, “At the Still Point of the Turning World – Only Through Time is Time Conquered” and how Guffogg arrived at this massive painting.
EPISODE 8
Shane Guffogg: Ginevra de Benci
In this discussion, Shane Guffogg and I discuss his series, "Ginevra de Benci" inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's painting of 1474-78 of the same title. I ask Guffogg what prompted him to take on the monumental task of interpreting the Old Master's portrait of the 15th-century Florentine aristocrat. Guffogg created 52 paintings in his series, and he explains his intrigue, the process, and more.
EPISODE 7
Shane Guffogg: Art and Spirituality Part 2
In this discussion, Shane Guffogg and I continue discussing views on art and spirituality. The artist shares the story of how he came across T.S. Eliot’s four-part poem, “Four Quartets”, how it led him to find his own ‘still point’, all the while, knee-deep into the days of Pharmaka (Los Angeles exhibition space) and arts commissioner for Downtown Los Angeles. Guffogg recites the T. S. Eliot passage below, scratching the surface of what has sparked his intuition to create over 80 ‘still point’ paintings since 2009.
EPISODE 6
Shane Guffogg: Art and Spirituality Part 1
In this discussion, Shane Guffogg and I explore the many facets of art and spirituality. We observe how this topic seeps into his everyday life and ultimately into his paintings.
We also briefly talk about Francis Bacon’s crucifixion paintings. I ask questions about the late artist’s spiritual search into the depths of humanity and how he might have arrived. We compare Bacon’s process to Guffogg’s. The topic of art and spirituality is vast, and it is an endless subject I am deeply intrigued by. There is no doubt this is part one of many more discussions to embrace.
EPISODE 5
Shane Guffogg: A Rose is a Rose
In this episode, Shane Guffogg and I explore his painting series, “A Rose is a Rose, is a Rose”. The series is partly inspired by Gertrude Stein’s sentence, A rose is a rose is a rose, from the 1913 poem, “Sacred Emily” which appeared in the 1922 book, “Geography and Plays”. In Guffogg’s case, the rose symbolism is also inspired by his orchard located at his ranch in Central California where he now has over 100 fruit trees of different varieties.
EPISODE 4
Shane Guffogg: The Psychological Landscape of Self-Portraits
In this discussion, Shane Guffogg and I unravel the psychological landscape of self-portraits. We talk about how social media has affected personal perception. Also, we explore his upcoming solo exhibition, Shane Guffogg: "40 Years of Self-Portraits." What is interesting and quite unique about this exhibition is Guffogg is widely recognized for his abstract paintings.
EPISODE 3
Shane Guffogg: Sapere Aude (Dare to Know)
In today's episode we discuss the meaning surrounding Shane Guffogg's painting series, "Sapere Aude" (Dare to Know), and what prompted the artist to explore science, philosophy, and more in order to shape this body of work. We also have a deep discussion about the Information Age and why ‘Sapere Aude’ (dare to know or dare to be wise) is such an important topic in the ever-changing face of humanity.
EPISODE 2
Shane Guffogg: The Artist and Materials
In today's discussion Shane Guffogg shares his studio practice and materials that inspire his work. We talk about the influence of the Old Masters, glazing techniques and much more.
EPISODE 1
Shane Guffogg: The Artist - Process and Creation
Today we discuss "process and creation" surrounding studio rituals and intrigue which inhabit the art practice of Shane Guffogg