JESS HIRSCH
Folk Feng Shui

Opening reception First Friday, May 7th, 6pm – 9pm On view May 5th – May 30th, 2010

Inspired by the principals of Feng Shui, where physical space is reoriented to induce positive energy, Jess Hirsch developed the practice of “Folk Feng Shui”, an intuitive method of spatial rearrangement dictated by color theory and composition, and executed in multiple sculptural interventions. Folk Feng Shui is a live process of disassembling a space, creating a series of temporary installations within it, and finally energetically reintegrating its objects into a new, functional positioning.

“The borderline between art and non-art had to be sought in the three-dimensional, where sculpture was, and where everything material that was not art also was.” ~ Greenberg, Recentness of Sculpture

During the live process Hirsch intends to create a unique viewing experience for the space’s inhabitant(s) to witness their personal artifacts transcend identity and station, being re-imagined and reconfigured as art. The remnants of the sculpture are present when she positions the space into its final, functional state for the individual to continue to experience.

“The total space is hopefully altered in certain desired ways by the presence of the [art] object.” ~ Robert Morris

By placing the objects of the everyday into an artistic context, Hirsch elevates the perception of the ordinary spaces, and redefines the value and intentions within the space.

In February 2010, NATIONALE invited Jess Hirsch to apply the process of Folk Feng Shui to the gallery while relocating from 28th & Burnside to 8th & Burnside. Hirsch first reconstituted the energy of the new space on 8th with past merchandise from the store. An intermediary sculpture intervention followed at the old location as a way to begin transforming the energy within the objects that would move to the new location. A third session was executed after moving to the new location to posit optimal energy for the space. During the month of May, NATIONALE will be exhibiting a series of drawings, paintings, and photographs that document the events at its two locations as well as previous Folk Feng Shui sessions. In addition to the two dimensional documentation, Hirsch will be executing a number of sculpture interventions within the space. On May 9th, Hirsch will demonstrate the process to the members ofNATIONALE and discuss the theory within the project.

Jess Hirsch lives and works in Portland Oregon and received her Bachelors in Drawing from Lewis and Clark College in 2007. She is co-founder of Homeschool, a nomadic art gallery based in Portland, and co-creator of the Portland Healing Project. Hirsch has exhibited at Fontanelle Gallery, Milepost 5, galleryHOMELAND, and the Artistery in Portland. She received a grant from Portland Stock for her work with the Portland Healing Project. In the fall of 2010, she will be attending the University of Minnesota to receive her MFA in sculpture.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, MAY 2010:
Artist presentation, May 9th (6:30pm):
Jess Hirsch

Performance, May 22nd (11:00am) & May 23rd (6:30pm):
100 ACRE (PART 2) by GLITTERHEART
A foraging bee, unable to survive on its own, returns home to the hive bearing the foreign nectars of blooming plants.
A colony, facing collapse, demands of its bees a continual search for new sources of pollen.
I don’t know if you are interested in Poetry at all?
Featuring Jess Hirsch, Emma Lipp, Jacqueline Mention, Erin Perry, and Crystal Willer inspired by the words + imagery of A.A. Milne.

Lecture, May 26th (7pm):
Nim Wunnan, Applause! More information about our membership HERE NATIONALE
811 East Burnside
Suite 122
Portland, OR
Wed-Sun 12pm-6pm
http://thenewnationale.com

Emerson Space Case Installation (30th & Emerson in NE Portland) With Elizabeth Jaeger

The IPRC is debuting a new mural by Scrappers for March’s First Thursday (March 4th) from 6-8 pm. The mural is a huge map of Oregon with various Yeti sightings marked by drawings from your favorite Portland artists: Apak, Brent Wick, Jess Fogel, Bwana Spoons & many more. My little Yeti is a pencil drawing + carving of the allusive creature. You should see it in person to do it justice. 917 SW Oak Street, 97205

Experimenting

Folk Feng Shui at artist Morgan Ritter’s home.