Arts & Culture
Eames + Artists: A Transformation Worthy of Sarasota MOD
Carl Abbott
Artist Statement
BEACH / SHELL
SEAT — Best angle for elegant form – tilt with driftwood wedge
MOBILE — Elegant form in motion – hang from straps
About the Artist
Carl Abbott is an original practitioner of the Sarasota School of Architecture and honorary chairman of SarasotaMOD Weekend. He studied under Paul Rudolph at Yale University, and worked with I.M. Pei in New York City, and was an original member of TEAM4 in London with his Yale classmates, Richard Rogers and Norman Foster. In the 1960s, Abbott opened his firm in Sarasota. Abbott is one of the most highly awarded architects in the Florida/Caribbean region, winning AIA Florida’s Medal of Honor for Design, the Architectural Firm Honor Award, and the greatest number of Test of Time Awards ever presented for “architectural designs of enduring significance.”
Abbott continues to design new projects and deliberately keeps his firm small to allow for close personal involvement.
Jean Blackburn
Artist Statement –
“The process used in transforming the Eames chair was borrowed from my background in intaglio printmaking. The lines were incised with a wood burning tool, the resulting burr along each incision was scraped away to produce a smooth surface. As in the printing of an intaglio, or etching plate, oil paint (instead of etching ink) was carded over the entire surface of the chair with extra care given to filling all lines with paint. The next step was a repeated sweeping motion over the surface with a tarletan, a sized cheesecloth material used in etching. I then moved on to more vigorous wiping with rags and swabs to lighten the negative spaces. My inspiration was the unique interpretation of objects by preschool aged children and the abundant life above and below Sarasota’s waters.”
About the Artist
A third generation Florida native, Jean Blackburn grew up on Anna Maria Island. She holds an MFA from the University of Oregon, a BA from the University of Florida, an AS in Biological Parks Technology from State College of Florida, Gainesville. She held teaching positions at New College of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, University of Oregon and State College of Florida, Manatee. Jean is a certified Master Gardener and Master Naturalist, has served on Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Council, governing boards of Sea to Shore Alliance and the Friends of Myakka River State Park. She sailed and painted throughout The Caribbean, Bahamas and Central America. With her husband, Steven Schaefer, part of each year is spent on a small farm in Old Myakka, and a cottage in the Village of Longboat Key. Four life altering trips through Cuba resulted in her importing and curating 3 exhibitions of Cuban art in the Sarasota area and and an exhibition of her work in Cuba. Her work is included in private and public collections throughout the US and Europe.
Jorge Blanco
Artist Statement –
“The idea of using a chair as a canvas is unusual, and inviting a sculptor to do this project is even more so. It was a challenge having wonderful artists, architects and painters as company. Since the invitation to help a very important cause it became more than a challenge, it was conducive to a solo-brainstorm. I invited two of my blue characters to sit on a playful ring, representing the whole world, helping to keep a lonely and very white chair company.”
About the Artist
Jorge Blanco is an international artist who has created a distinctive sculptural language over more than forty years. Blanco has a 1971 degree in industrial design from the prestigious Neumann Institute of Design in Caracas, Venezuela, studying under artists Gego and Cornelis Zitman. After graduation, Blanco began his career as a sculptor, freelance graphic designer and furniture designer. In the late 70’s, while studying at Rome’s Academy of Fine Arts, he created the most iconic comic strip in Venezuela’s history, “El Náufrago” (The Castaway). Jorge has lived and worked in Sarasota, Florida since 1999 and has created numerous public art commissions and works for private collectors worldwide.
http://www.jorgeblancosculpture.com/
Olivia Craig
Artist Statement –
“Tim Seibert’s “Life Chair” is an illustration that chronologically narrates the fascinating life of architect Tim Seibert. Tim Seibert’s story naturally begins with his childhood, growing up as the son of a United States Naval Captain. The childhood vignette continues with his family deciding to move to Florida by simply drawing “Sarasota” out of a hat. The next image depicts a young Seibert growing up in McClellan Park – hearing the circus animals roar in the wintertime from his bedroom. Completing his formal education, Seibert moved back to Sarasota and worked as a draftsman under Paul Rudolph to initiate his professional career. In 1955, Seibert founded his own architectural practice. The illustration highlights many of his iconic designs, awards and quotes. Currently, Seibert resides in Boca Grande, where he spends his time designing award-winning boats. Seibert was kind enough to add his stamp of approval to the piece – you’ll find his signature on the back.”
About the Artist
Olivia Craig is a Clemson Tiger (’13) with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a University of Florida Gator (’17) with a Masters in Architecture. She loves architecture and is inspired by illustration. She is originally from Dade City, Florida, and a local to Clemson, Charleston, Key West and now Sarasota. When she is not working at Seibert Architects, she spends time with her husband and their two spoiled Dachshunds, Sammy and Maybel. Olivia loves living the Sarasota life, including but not limited to: the perfect weather, the beautiful scenery and the rich legacy of excellent architecture.
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