Talk: Thur., Feb. 28, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX

Sarah Sudhoff has kindly asked me to be a guest lecturer at the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. If you are near Nacogdoches, please stop by!

Thursday, February 28, 2008, 5-6pm
Stephen F. Austin State University
2124 Wilson Drive North
Art Building, Room 106
Nacogdoches, Texas

Gladys Cundiff Morrison

Gladys Cundiff Morrison with picture of first High School for black students in Yadkin County, Boonville, NC

Today I found an article written about Gladys Cundiff Morrison and her late father, E. L. Cundiff. Mr. E. L. Cundiff, who died at the age of 102 in 1999, was the leading force behind establishing the first School for black children where the grades went through High School, in Boonville, N. Carolina.

From the Winston-Salem Journal, 02-27-08:

"Gladys Morrison lived within a half-mile of several schools that she couldn’t attend. Her textbooks, often secondhand, were missing pages. Yet, as a child in the 1930s, she says, she didn’t know that she was missing out. She had dreams that took her far beyond segregated Yadkin County.

Her one-room school in Boonville went to only the seventh grade. Most students left to find menial jobs, something her father, E.L. Cundiff, couldn’t bear. So, he pushed the General Assembly to pressure local officials to provide money for a new school. And in 1941, he donated land for the Yadkin County School.

Morrison and her friends didn’t fully understand the full meaning of segregation. 'Back in those days, there was no animosity. There were white students, and we knew each other, and when it was time to go to school, they went one way, and we went another,' she said. 'Back then, they didn’t teach hate. It took a long time before we knew why.'

Her father was a teacher and would have educators from Philadelphia and other big cities in their home. He was always looking for ways to encourage black students and broaden their horizons, Morrison said." (This is edited, read the whole article here)

I spent many hours with Gladys at her home while I was in NC. All day actually. The time spent with her was memorable. She is extremely active in the surrounding communities, just as her father was before her. If I remember correctly, Gladys is the director of the local arts organization in Elkin, NC, and was a former director at a halfway house for woman. She also acts as a mentor to many woman in the area. One of which came by during my visit, seeking her advice. With all this -- and many other things, I'm sure -- she still has time for current politics. She was reading Barack's biography and had just finished Hillary's, when I came to visit. Something I don't have the patience for.

I recently received a wonderful letter from her: "Are you eating well? (smiles) The Loaf Bread you liked so well could very well be repeated. Do let me know." Gladys Cundiff Morrison is a truly special person. And like many of the other people I have encountered along the way, I am honored to know her.


Gladys, Boonville, NC, 2007

P. S. See a few more images from the project here.

Camping

Bryan Lake, Bryan, TX, Feb. 23, 2008

Save Boonville

Still camping, have not showered since I was in Dallas on Monday, cut my finger chopping wood, had to find a cheap clinic to get a tetanus shot, and I've been kept awake by loud kids and bonfires for the last three days. But on to the important part...


2002 aerial photo of old Boonville property with original survey markings laid over top (click for larger view).

This morning I went to a talk at the local Heritage Center. Mr. Henry Mayo gave a presentation on the property where the former Town of Boonville sits, and its historical relevance. The majority of the "old Boonville" property has already been optioned by a firm to put in a commercial center -- adding a Best Western, as well as other businesses. Mr. Mayo is trying to get the city to purchase a piece of land to add a small park in the old town square. He is not even trying to deter this "progress" from happening. He just wants a small park. But nobody seems to be listening.

Boonville was officially registered as a town in 1844, but was first settled in the 1830s or so. It became extinct in 1866, but there were probably people still living there and calling it Boonville until the early 1900s. Old Boonville was the FIRST town and the FIRST County Seat of Brazos County. It is rich with history, and it has never even been the subject of a proper archaeological dig. And as we speak, bulldozers under contract from the commercial firm are further destroying its history. Granted, they are most likely just simple artifacts, but isn't that important? Or are they just artifacts? Isn't it also a statement on our current values in a largely quick-and-easy and corporate society? I don't know who's misstep it was, but shame on them (the City of Bryan, Texas?) for never making old Boonville something more then a future shopping center.

This project has never really been about the history of the towns. But that doesn't mean I am not invested in it. I've researched each towns origins and history for years, and I continue to do so when I arrive into each new community. TX is no different, except maybe that I am a bit more interested, seeing that it's all that's left.

Today I met some wonderful people that are very interested and passionate about old Boonville. It is amazing how many people don't even know about the former town. And as one person put it to me today, "Most people think the Boonville Cemetery is named for Boonville Road." If Mr. Mayo and the dedicated "old Boonvillians" of Bryan, TX do not succeed, then will people in 50 years think the Cemetery was named for the "Boonville Town Center," the name of the new Best Western commercial property?

Seriously, if we don't even preserve our beginnings, then what should we preserve?

Boonville, Texas

Cracked Gravestone, Boonville Cemetery, Bryan, TX

I'm currently camping near a lake in Bryan, TX. I was wrong in my previous post, Boonville became extinct around the late 1860s, and it looks like, from the map I got yesterday, that the town was less then a square mile.

There are a lot of different things going on in that small space. In the former town limits there is now an expressway, two car dealerships, a few broken and abandoned homes, a farm, and the outer edges of three or four different subdivisions. The Boonville cemetery is the only remaining sign that a town existed there, and it is huge.

I've been racking my head trying to figure out how to approach this town, and I think I got it. But it is early, and it has been a rough start. Camping hasn't been great. I was rained out last night and a few kids decided to party till 2am near my tent. I'm in good spirits though and have already made many contacts with the people who own the "old boonville" land. Still more to go. To be continued...

P.S. I was on the local news. Watch it here. It's very short.

Interview

There is an interview by Noel Rodo-Vankeulen about me and the project on his very nice blog, We Can't Paint (what a great name!). Read it here.

Home-Cooked Meal, #22

Oklahoma Joe's BBQ, Kansas City, MO

Thanks to Kevin and Tiffany (below) for the hospitality while in KC! They didn't make me a home-cooked meal, but we sure did stuff our faces while I was there.

Bryan/Boonville, Texas

View Larger Map


Above is the area in which Boonville, Texas once inhabited. The only remaining sign of Boonville's existence is Boonville Road, and the Boonville Cemetery. Boonville was incorporated and became the County Seat of Brazos County in the late 1870s. By the early 1900s it was a ghost town.

Just as many traditional American values are suffering today because of our need for convenience, so too was Boonville, TX. In the late 1890s the railroad came into Bryan, TX, the neighboring community, and everyone but a few deserted Boonville for the new form of transportation, and ways of receiving goods.

I arrive tomorrow morning. We are currently looking for the person in charge of the Cemetery so I can have full access, and I have an appointment with an area judge whose great-grandfather is buried there. I am very curious about this forgotten town. I've been thinking about it for a long time now, and I am still unsure how I am going to approach it. Tomorrow should be very interesting.

Kansas City, Urban Culture Project, FRIDAY, February 15, 2008

I am currently held up at Brad's place just outside of Boonville, Missouri. I am coming down from my fantastic Minneapolis experience, and from a short-but-sweet visit with Andy Adams of Flak Photo fame, in Madison, WI.

I am slowly making my way to Kansas City for a event-filled night at the Urban Culture Project Space this FRIDAY, February 15, 2008. If you are in the area, please come on by! I will be starting off the events at 5:30 by giving a talk (babbling my face off), and showing some new work.

Urban Culture Project’s Third Friday Art Downtown February 15, 2008, 5:30-10pm, features a talk by New York based artist Timothy Briner about his Boonville project; the opening of Wild Reserve: Kelly J. Clark and Christa Dalien; a live electronic music performance by the Kansas City Electronic Music Alliance; the second reception for Locate | Navigate: exercises in mapping (Part 1), and open studios. All free and open to the public.

The Urban Culture Project Space
February 15, 5:30pm
21 East 12th Street
Kansas City, Missouri

Art Shanty, 2008

Art Shanty Project, Medicine Lake, MN, Feb. 9, 2008

Boy was that fun! Cold. Like -20 with wind chill, but a lot of fun! This is the 5th year for the Art Shanty Project, held on Medicine Lake, in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

"Art Shanty Projects is an artist driven temporary community exploring the ways in which the relatively unregulated public space of the frozen lake can be used as a new and challenging artistic environment to expand notions of what art can be.

The environment in Minnesota is challenging; cold being the harshest. Lakes are an often-used medium for recreational activity in Minnesota; winter does not stop this use, but transforms it. One of these uses; ice fishing is a popular winter activity in Minnesota and indeed throughout the world, people often fish from a structure commonly known as an ice fishing house, shelter, shack or shanty. Make shift communities position themselves over the best fishing spots. Deep in winter, the lake ice can get to be 2-3 feet thick, more than enough to support trucks and cars."

There are a number of different Art Shanties. The Shanty of Misfit Toys, the Norae (Karaoke) Shanty, the Pin-Hole Shanty, The Snap-Shot Shanty, The Knitting Shanty, the Giant Robot Shanty, Etc.

Peter Haakon Thompson, Auto Ethnographic HQ Shanty

The Art Shanty Projects are organized by David Pitman and Peter Haakon Thompson (My wonderful host -- Pictured above).


Moments after world record attempt

Yesterday, Robert Marbury organized an attempt to break the World Record for the longest bunny-hop-on-ice. Although we were 1,700 or so people shy of the record, we were still champions!


End of day, Art Shanty Project, Medicine Lake, MN

The wind was harsh and the air was cold, but the shanties were all welcoming and warm. If you are in the area, check it out, it is definitely worth it.

Make sure you stop into the Postal Shanty to send of a postcard, get warm, and have a shot, or two, or three.

The Walker

still life w/ serial killers, 1991, JoAnn Verburg

I made it over to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN yesterday to take in the hype, and the new show by JoAnn Verburg. I've never been a great fan of hers, but that changed yesterday. I was drawn to the color work she did in the early 90s. It really amazed me -- Three works specifically, I couldn't stop exploring them.

One of the images is above, titled still life w/ serial killers, 1991. This image was taken in Italy while vacationing with her husband (I believe they always split the year between MN and Italy). She had gone to the market to get some flowers, and when she returned, she noticed the paper that was chosen to wrap her beautiful bouquet had a cover story about Serial Killers in America; The article discussed why such things happen there (here), and came complete with a photo of Jeffery Damer and Charles Manson. The irony and composition, along with the juxtaposition of the selection of postcards, the reflection of the bed, and the paper, continues to amaze me. Listen to her speak about the piece, here. My favorite image could not be found online, but her explanation of it might be just as effective. listen to JoAnn Verburg discuss Secrets: Iraq, 1991, here. Stunning.

Most of the work that I was greatly drawn to were images that she has taken of her every day surroundings. One thing that I have struggled with (or maybe have a lack of interest in) is capturing my daily and repetitive actions. This has changed a lot on this trip. But normally I have a difficult time with this while I am home. These images were very inspiring.

A performance piece (if that is the correct term) by Tino Sehgal was also very moving. The piece was titled Propaganda, 2002. I went back to experience it five times. It was beautiful and I continue to hear it in the back of my head. You can hear about his process, here.

Minnesota

I am leaving my parents place in IN, and the comfortable bed and edible food for the road again. I am off to visit with Peter Haakon Thompson and the Art Shanty Project in Minneapolis, and I will be giving a talk at the University of Minnesota on Thursday. If you are in the area, and want to attend, it is open to the public. Email me for information (timothybriner@gmail.com)

Influence & Inspiration

From Vacancy, 2004-2005

I recently had a conversation with someone about influences and inspirations, and the fine line they both inhabit.

I struggled before this trip to wipe away all my previous influences. I was having a creative block for a few years, and started to be greatly influenced by (copying) other artists’ (diCorcia's) shooting styles, without really even being aware of it. (example above)

“A student might see a great work of art and say to himself, 'This is a great work of art. I want to make a great work of art, too.' And so, the student sets out to try to do so. And if he has some talent, he might produce something that looks just as though it were a great work of art—almost convincing. If one didn’t know any better one might actually mistake it for a work of art. The only problem is that the great work of art that the student so admired was not a product of these same motives. It was the by-product of these same motives. It was the by-product of the artist’s personal quest.” – Stephen Shore

Many people say, "it has all been done before anyway, so how can you not be copying something, somewhere down the line?" Maybe I believed that once, especially when I moved on to my next big influence after diCorcia, and my work started to look like everything else being created at the time. But I don't believe that anymore. And I do believe there are many talented and unique voices out there doing very original things. Whalead Beshty and David Claerbout are my go-to unique voices. Not that they aren't being inspired by art before them, because they obviously are, but what they are doing, along with many other people, is truly inspiring and always changing.

My current work is not without a level of influence either (did I just contradict myself?). During this trip I have often referred back to and even explored the philosophy and vision of some of the photographers I greatly admire (Evans/Frank/Sander/Soth/Winograd/Tice). But I now understand that the fine line that is inspiration and influence is actually a paradox. And that the "personal quest" isn't something that you can copy or create, it is a state of mind. It is your inner most thoughts and fears. And inspiration and influence, at that point, is simply that.


Connie & Carla, 2004

I spent a few months before this trip looking at the work I created over the last eight years, and I tried to find that early voice, the one that screamed "Go out and create something original, make mistakes!" Because what is the point of just doing it safe? Those moments for me were priceless and inspiring; The times that I went out because of love and curiosity, and the times I made mistakes, which opened up the possibilities of something new. Lycanthrope was created in 2004, and I feel it was probably the last original and exciting thing I created.


Self-Portrait from Lycanthrope, 2004

The beginning of the Boonville trip was extremely difficult because I found that I had truly lost my voice. And the journey quickly turned into a vessel for me to find it.

The work that I was producing in Boonville, Missouri, in August, was good but not great. North Carolina showed improvement, but I was still lagging behind my expectations. Boonville, NY was a leap; I produced some stuff that I was really excited about, and it was turning point in my thinking, my work, and my ideas. But it wasn't until Boonville, Indiana that I started to feel my own ideas and vision really come together as one. I have not felt this way for years. I'm excited about the work, the future and my ideas. And I am excited to wake up everyday and explore new subjects and to make mistakes.

After a long journey, and a few psychological hurdles over the last couple of years, the work is finally my own, again.

NW Indiana

Mom + Snowblower, Westville, IN, 2008

I am back at my parents place in NW Indiana for a few days. I was going to spend one night here and then I was supposed to be off to a few engagements and to meet a few new friends. But I could not resist the warm food, warm shower, real bed, and Cable TV. I also have a submission deadline on Monday, and will now have a comfortable place to work for the next few days. I am going North to Minnesota after that. I hope it keeps snowing. I love this time of year!