SHORT INTERVIEW WITH ELLEN JANTZEN
SHORT INTERVIEW WITH ELLEN JANTZEN
I have a varied background; originally my emphasis was on graphic arts and I obtained my first college degree in this field. I became disillusioned with the basic nature of art for advertising sake and dropped out to become an organic gardener and cheesemaker. I raised goats also. But this became unfulfilling as I really longed for creative outlets and interactions. I then went back to college and got my second degree in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. I became quite fascinated with using fabrics in innovative ways which led me to Mattel Toy Company where I worked as a senior project designer for the Barbie line for two years. Alas, the again became disillusioned with the corporate nature and longed for something more creative. I have been creating my current body of work with digitally manipulated photography for over three years now and find great satisfaction and excitement each day as I work. This is the perfect marriage of two dimensional graphic sensibilities and my need to create “things”. Because I create ephemeral assemblages to use in my photography, my desire to work three dimensionally is fulfilled also.What is your background ?
When do you create ?I create daily but I do have a method… First I create a body of photographs at some specific location using my created assemblages. I then get going at my computer to transform these into my art. This normally takes several weeks. I then let things settle a bit and then go back in to rework and edit. Eventually I establish a series that I feel expresses what I am after and turn these into named art pieces.
who inspires your work ?My husband, who is a conceptual artist/architect is my biggest inspiration. His undying devotion to his work and his constant struggle is very inspirational. I am also inspired with nature and natural elements like seeds, nests, pods, etc.
What is Art ?The easy answer is that art is what artists make. But who is an artist? Can one just proclaim that they are an artist? I feel that art is the output of creative people (artists) who have no choice; they must make this, or do that… what ever their form is. They are driven to create at all costs. Hopefully the other part of the answer is the viewers response and whether the artist has fully conveyed their passion to another.
Have you ever exhibited in Italy ?Unfortunately I have not had my work in Italy yet. My husband (Michael Jantzen) is well known there in the architectural world there having been published in L’Arca dozens of times.
How do you image your work in a city_space ?Do you mean how do I imagine my work being shown in a city space or do you mean created in a city space? It can easily be shown in a city space and even as public art. I have envisioned Duratrans of my work in commercial sites. I have even played a bit with animation. As far as creating work in a city space, I think that would be very exciting.
tell me more about your work-
I create digitally manipulated photographic imagery from three-dimensional ephemeral setups that I stage. Then, while at my computer, I create my art to surprise and excite me. I am looking for the unexpected, the never before seen.
You may check out my website for references: www.etavonni.com or check out an online interview about my work at the archive of Net Art Review:
Ellen Jantzen in also online on gallery2006
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