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WEB EXHIBIT:
this special feature focuses on the artistic synergy between members of
our Guild.
Bennington Arts Guild members Joe
Chirchirillo and Paula Kautz-LaPorte
both use recycled materials in
their work, Joe as a metal sculptor, and Paula as a weaver. While they
produce very different works of art, this interview focuses on
similarities in their creative process.
How did you start
working in your respective media?
Paula Kautz-LaPorte: I became a seat
weaver to repair my own furniture. Then when people saw me doing it,
they asked me to do their chairs. Next my sister-in-law gave me a
basket weaving book. I wove at least half the baskets in the book
-- and then some. At our first BAG [Bennington Arts Guild]
Gallery in the BBC building, I had a wall basket made of one inch
splints and sea-grass. When it sold, I wanted to replace it and
realized belts were just the right size.
Joe Chirchirillo: I have been making
sculpture for about 35 years. Since college, I have concentrated
on making large outdoor pieces. Over time, I realized that I
wanted to develop fluency in making smaller sculpture that could
reflect the ideas that were part of the larger works. At first,
these began with the sketches or models I was making for large works
that I transformed into a smaller piece.
How do you come up with ideas for your
work?
Paula
Kautz-LaPorte: I frequent Salvation Army and the Good Will
store searching for belts. My family and friends also save and
collect belts for me. It takes from 15 to 40 belts per basket.
Joe Chirchirillo:
More
recently, I started to make some small sculpture for friends and
family. My work evolved into making small, steel and found
objects,
animals and
functional items. These pieces sold well and gave people familiar
with
my work a change to get a piece that was affordable.
What are some of the techniques you
use?
Paula Kautz-LaPorte:
Belts are nice because they come in a
variety of colors, styles, widths, and with buckles. Their
drawback
is that they are relatively short and heavy. So the belts dictate
their use. I make barrels, buckets, rectangular and square
baskets, high fashion shoulder bags, and wall baskets. Besides
belts, I have made baskets with coated electrical wire, copper wire,
beached marine rope, and neck ties.
How does using recycled materials
influence your work?
Joe Chirchirillo: I am
always looking for interesting pieces of steel to work with. They come
from the side of the road, trash, barns, garage sales or from
scraps left over from my larger work. Steel is a very recyclable
material.
Paula
Kautz-LaPorte: I have always been frugal. I have
embraced the sayings "waste not, want not," and from Girl Scouts, "use
resources wisely." My motto is: "Let me see what I can do with
that."
Do you have a
favorite piece?
Joe
Chirchirillo: The next
one!
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Paula
Kautz-LaPorte: Galaxy. Honestly of all my
work that is at BAG right now, Galaxy
is my favorite.
left: detail of Galaxy by Paula Kautz-LaPorte
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Anything else you'd like to share?
Paula Kautz-LaPorte:
I only create about six belt baskets per year, so each one is special
to me. I name most of them. As a childhood friend of mine
once stated, "Paula likes to do things her own way." Throughout
time humans have created baskets to help with
daily needs. Needless to say, all sorts of available materials
have
been used. I like to use materials which are part of my life and
my culture.
Joe Chirchirillo: At this point, I go
back and forth between these small pieces and my larger kinetic
work. The two balance each other in terms of approach and
commitment of time. Over time you find out what works and what
you have fun doing.
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GALLERY EXHIBIT
August 2009: blue
WEB EXHIBIT ARCHIVES
July 2009:
Mosaic Chest by Arline
Mayer and
Cyndi Saint
June 2009: behind the scenes with
our curatorial team
April 2009:
Yin Yang Water Chairs by
Cyndi Saint and Paula LaPorte
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