Medicine is almost complete. Here is a sneak peak.
The rest of the ill series can be found here.
Author: Tonja Torgerson
UltraChorus Photo Shoot
I spent Thursday morning with the band UltraChorus, taking photographs to promote the digital release of their 5 song EP. They are already garnering national attention, as can be seen from their mention on NPR’s Weekend America. For those who like their music in material form, UltraChorus has also produced a 7″ vinyl.
Have a listen.
Have a listen.
(Click on the images for a better look)
Here are a few fun photographs from the digital camera used for part of the shoot. I shot mostly digital to provide quick turnaround for the band. However, due to my preference for film, I also took some color medium format and 35mm B&W which is pending processing.
I will be adding my favorites to the Photography section of my website. So check back soon.
Press for Perpich
Governor Pawlenty’s plan for the Perpich Center for Arts Education continues to receive a lot of local media attention. In the last two weeks many articles have been written about the past success of the institution and its current budget woes, including one by the Star Tribune. While school’s future is still in danger, public support seems to be growing.I was recently interviewed by Shelia Regan of the TC Daily Planet in regards to Perpich’s future. The article highlights a variety of people who have benefited from the opportunities provided by the Perpich Center. You can read the article here.
Work in Progress- Medicine
Plaid. Plaid. Plaid.
Studio Update
I have settled into my new studio in the Ivy Building. Here are a few blurry images of the new space:
It has great light, though it’s short lived in the winter. The green wall is actually a green screen that my studio-mates, Brennan and Pete, use for their videos. Pretty cool.
After moving into the studio, I have been able to start on the next drawing from the ill series. Here is Medicine in its very early stages. I have been painting plaid for weeks now.
Pawlenty vs. Perpich
Governor Pawlenty’s recently released budget proposal hit a personal note.
It calls for the virtual elimination of the Perpich Center for Arts Education; converting it to a charter school and taking away almost all of its funding. These cuts would force the institution to end its housing option for students.
In 2001, I moved into the residence hall of Perpich to attend school. The Perpich Center for Arts Education was 240 miles away from my parents’ home, and to go there I paid to stay in the dormitory with half of the student population whose parents lived too far away to commute. Going to Perpich was a huge opportunity for me and many other rural students. Unlike the metropolitan area that has many options within commuting distance (including schools that have adequate art departments) my rural background did not allow for in depth arts education. My only real option for additional arts training while in high school was Perpich.
It was at Perpich that I learned to screenprint.
The elimination of the boarding house at the Perpich Center for Arts Education would make it impossible for rural Minnesota high school students to have a second chance at receiving the arts education their local school lacks. The Star Tribune had a front page article today on the consequences of Pawlenty’s proposed budget for the school. Please read it.
UPPERCASE Magazine
I woke up a few days ago to find this on UPPERCASE’s blog:
These photographs of me working on COBRA were showcased as a part of a new Flickr Group created by UPPERCASE. WIPS (The Work in Progress Society) contains photographs of unfinished art that are both beautiful and revealing.
UPPERCASE is also working hard on their new quarterly magazine, which will be premiering this spring. I am so happy to see new publications about art are being produced. We need them!
Art Shanties
Motivated by my resolution to fight winter hibernation, I took advantage of the relatively warm weather and went to experience the Art Shanties on Medicine Lake. I say ‘relatively warm’ because the last week the temperature did not get above zero! Today was 20 and snowy, which seemed like lovely weather to see the Shanties.
For me, the Art Shanty Project is utterly Minnesotan. About as Minnesotan as it was for me to spend the first paragraph of this post taking about the weather. It takes a certain test of character to spend months building a structure made to withstand this harsh climate and then spending a month on a frozen lake occupying said structure. Its mostly just on weekends, but it is still a tremendous amount of time and energy. Impressive.
Like a lot of large group projects, the Art Shanties can be hit or miss. Many shanties seem well thought out in their construction, but are difficult to approach or interact with. Technical problems with heat and electricity also caused several shanties to be closed, which was a real shame. It is fascinating to watch the project evolve every year, and slowly more popular.
This year saw the return of some of the best of years past, including the Snap Shot Shanty and the Art Post Shanty. But there were many new shanties as well! One of my favorites was the Ice Boat.
It’s 30+ foot blue sail was amazing! While it did not do much soaring across the ice when I was there, we certainly had fun trying to get it up to speed. 
The Sweat & Drink Inc Shanty was another wonderful addition to be found this year. The best projects address the surrounding environment in a way that is interesting and inviting.
That is why I must say the S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L shanty of last year remains one of my all time favorites. While its not to be found on Medicine Lake this year, you can find it’s remains online.
Nine for 2009
Inspired by Andrew Schroeder‘s blog post of a similar theme, I thought I would make some goals for the New Year. Not one for the traditional resolutions, I liked the simplicity of Andrew’s list and the way it can be approached from many directions and still be accomplished.
Here is what I hope to do this year:
Nine Intentions for 2009
1. Rest. It is okay to not always be working on some big project. Take time to recharge.
2. Plan. Graduate school is not going to happen without some major legwork.
3. Make. More art. Finishing the ‘ill’ series this year is priority.
4. Connect. More time/communications with colleagues from school and those who have moved on from Mpls.
5. Sell. My apartment is becoming treacherous with stacks of art. Must find new homes.
6. Settle. Into my new studio in the Ivy Building.
7. Go. Out. To art openings, to movies, anything. Minnesota winters are making me into a hermit.
8. Read. Dust off my library card.
9. Relax. Stop worrying about what I cannot control.
I’ll give it a shot.
It’s Official!
Well it’s official, my screenprint I am Fine has been included in the permanent collections of both the Weisman Art Museum and the Minnesota Museum of American Art!
The print received Purchase Awards from both institutions while on display during the Sixth National Minnesota Print Biennial. However, both purchases had to be approved by the Museums’ acquisition committees before the work was formally accepted into their permanent collections.
I was informed today that this process had been completed, making it official that my artwork is now included in two museum collections! What lovely news.
An image of I am Fine, along with additional information about the print can be found on my website.