July 21st 2007
The new piece is done! Woo! This one really took more time than I planned on but it was worth it. I spent a little bit of time on the planning of this piece but found the labor part was much more work than I thought it was going to be. I’m working on the video at the moment, which will explain the goodbye art thing a bit more clearly.
(( just got the video up, cut and paste this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5anMHmYonk ))
So in the picture below you can see that the image looks in no way like sand. But I told you it was sand from the title of this blog. Well here is the explanation, which if you catch the video in the next day or so will make a lot more sense. So I used layers of foam as blocking, then I poured sand around the foam and then I shot an x-ray of it. The image you see below is an x-ray of sand, you can see little chunks of rock in the sand in the close up.
The “blocking” of the image took quite a while. I had to sketch the picture then divide it into the appropriate shades. Then I had to use an exacto blade for four hours to get it all cut correctly. I then filled around the foam with sand and took it to where I can get an x-ray of it. This picture was shot at about 4am. I am beyond exhausted because I got about 4 hours of sleep and then kept going all day long today.
So as usual this piece is available as a photographic print that will be signed through the 28th of July 2007.
Hope all is well. I will post the link to the video up here once I get it. This piece is a bit of a departure from my other work, that is going to continue to be the aim of this project. Oh, I’m actually going to be in San Francisco next weekend, so my project will be made there, so give me a couple extra days to get the piece up on here. Thanks all! Next week will actually be the last week of “Nature” and then I think I am moving on to “fire” but I’ll make that decision next week.
Phil
Goodbye Art… The title is so sad and I’m trying to figure out what it means. Much of your subject matter is related to what I do every day- the downtrodden and the antisocial faces haunt me, your depictions fascinate me by their accuracy and lighten my mood when I realize the media ..is.. SAND or BLOOD or PINECONES or FOOTPRINTS. Ha. Keep up the good work Phil.
Excellent work! Hope it gets better every week. It kind of looks like he’s in a sand storm or something. Probably not planned but a wonderful accident anyway. Sending good wishes.
Yes… tell us more about the title. Is it goodbye to tradition?
Who is the sandman?
yeah, I’m still trying to make it clear what “goodbye art” means. Just trying to find the right words. I guess this might be the simplest, the original piece never actually existed or it will be destroyed.
This makes it so I don’t think about selling the original. It keeps the ideas very personal to me instead of thinking about what other people would like most.
Mmm. Now I think I understand. It makes your art more real? More alive? Like us. It has a moment in time, then gone. No trying to hawk or sell or put in a museum or on a frige. Art for art. Then Goodbye Art.
Gonna be a classic.
Exactly
I was reading the youtube comments, and I say several people decrying your actions, saying art shouldn’t be destroyed. I’d argue instead, however, that you’re practicing the purest form of art.
Art is a very personal experience for the creator, and you’re embracing that relationship. You’re perfectly happy to share the creation process and the final product, in the end, you assert that this art is yours and you know what’s best–because you’re the creator, you’re the person with the relationship with the art.
I don’t know how correctly I encapsulated your intentions, but that’s how I see it, anyway.
I get it but I don’t understand how other people don’t. You do it just for the sake of doing it. Not for anyone else. Not for praise or monetary value. You do it and then that’s it. You don’t need it anymore. I do the same thing with my art. I do it and then I’m finished. I don’t what to look at anymore or I always want to change something. So I either just give it away or it ends up in the trash. I’m not as good as you though. No one is going to miss my art as much as they do yours. I think the most fun has to be the destroying part. Like a little child building a tour out of blocks as high as he can just to get to knock it down.
Did that sound right? I’m not that good with the deep stuff.
wow.
it looks amazing. i love it. =]
The only evidence of the art is imbedded in a microchip or in a temporary file on people’s computers… very intriguing concept!
I love you art. It’s amazing… I just thought I’d Say the x-ray of sand one… if you look at it… it kinda looks like dennis quaid… but that’s just me… have a great day… your really awesome at this!
Reagan
I understand the concept behind ‘goodbye art’ and can see that the destroying part of the process is every bit as important as the creating, but, it’s still heartbreaking to watch you shred that x-ray!!
I actually have a different view. I totally applaud you as an artist. To be able to create something so amazing and then to say ‘Hey, it’s time you go.’ Know what I mean? I guess really, within destruction comes art in many forms. Truly keep up the creative juices. I’m sure many like myself, will be watching. =]
Take care.
-Sony-
I love it. Can’t Express it enough. Just Love it.
and he does resemble dennis quaid, good looking soldier you got there
Good bye art is a great name for your piece, you do have a talent, and I really enjoyed this picture, mostly because the solder is my husband who was deployed in afghanistan. It is great to see all the comments of who people believe he is or were he might be. Keep up the great work Phil!
I love your art. They are current and so strong. Just looking at them — the big picture — and knowing how they are made complete the statements one needs to understand.
I also believe “Goodbye Art” is an understatement for those who think that art must be learned from art schools or, as you negated, must be confined in galleries. Well, you have proven them ALL wrong PLUS you are making really good art.
You are my new favorite! A breakaway from all that was previously established; your act goes beyond what is already there.
such patience and absolute understanding of something universal.
i did the tenth million part of this last year , doing this large picture with old yellow pages to recompose a naive drawing and i thought it really tested out my patience i can’t imagine how much patience it takes for this and dedication , not to mention inspiration (inspiration that inspires others). just seeing it’s possible makes me believe something i forgot. good luck.
I almost hurt to see it destroyed. But Im just wondering why you do it? DON’T TURN INTO A SOULESS WORK OF ART YOURSELF!!!!! Just don’t sell out and I respect. you.
I was wondering why no updates or posts since July 21st, then I caught some pictures on Flickr. Will you be posting them here soon, or will you be “leaving” them out? hehe
Please, keep your fans up-to-date.
hi phil, it’s wyland to France, my michael jackson of painting.
you are excellent! this idea of transitory art is incredible!!! can I propose an idea of work to you?
Phil
I enjoy not only your finnished pieces and the messages you provoke and evoke, I also love how you let the world see you create them. You are absolutely stunning!! A blessed genius!!
I’ll be watching you!
ConnieM
You are brilliant. What an amazing mind!!!
It’s actually NOT Goodbye art, because you have everything on tape to admire anytime you want. don’t you think so?
absolutely awesome. To be honest, I think I love your method and your descriptions of what you have created more than the actual art, because it seems to me that the finished product is so rarely more to the artist than just the sum of all the things that made it so. At least that’s the case for me. I’m a musician, and I find that songs I write are more about the process of writing and the events that led to them being written than the actual finished product. But anyhow…keep creating, it makes the world a better place!
Hi Phil,
Shared your website to some friends. You’re one of a kind!
I love your Bruce Lee and that piece entitled ‘A Moment’. I like the angles you’re showing and the way it screams, it talks or whispers is just so amazing. Keep up the good work! 
My daughters and I loved watching the whole process and the final xray photo was really beautiful. Grasped the throw-away thing with the form, but it was sad to see the shredding of the xray photograph. I respect your wanting to do your art your way, but the thought of even some random radiologist purchasing your unique work, and having the proceeeds go to a charity to benefit wounded soldiers and their families? that would have been a wonderful thing to say to the world.
I stumbled onto your amazing work today, on the web. Wow! What a unique talent you have. I’ve been an art teacher for seventeen years and I’m totally amazed by your incredible ability to produce art. You are insightful and you definitely have a wonderful way of “thinking outside of the box”. Keep up the great work!
excellent, really excellent
Okay… I have to admit it made me really sad to see the foam piece and x-ray destroyed. Perhaps a bit of grief. Reminded me of the losses I’ve suffered and also of my mother. She sometimes gets sat and nostalgic about all the moments and people who are now gone from her life and summed it up by saying, “At my age, it’s all goodbyes.”
And to Soldier’s Wife (above), Thank you and your husband for your sacrifice. I hope there are some hellos soon.
Hi Phil
I read a little piece about you on yahoo today and came upon your webpage. Goodbye art is just so full of life! I can’t express in words how amazing it is. More than the final product, I love the way you put things together and have a passion for it. Most times people look at the final product, wonder what it is, what it stands for and look away. But documenting the thought process makes it so much more real! I also saw the process by which you made “The Moment”. It is the single most inspiring piece of work I have ever seen till now. (And I am not an art aficionado or anything… I just love art)! And I simply love the symbolism behind everything you do.
Keep it up!!!
hi phil . .
also read about you frm yahoo , im curious and came upon ur webpage . . WOW ! amazing . . all ur masterpieces inspired me a lot ! helped me with my assignments . .
anyway . .
this goodbye art, i feel so sad coz u have to destroy everything except the photos, but i think i get what you mean from this goodbye art . . just like the comment frm hurleycanes . . amazing work . .
keep it up !!
Great! Actually, I was thinking in doing the same thing, but I haven’t figured out what to put it in to fill the space! I may finish it now I have a new idea. Thanks a lot! Lve ur work!
It is great to see all the comments of who people believe he is or were he might be. Keep up the great work Phil!
Hi, I came across your blog posting after searching for storm hawks and your post on Sand makes an interesting read. Thanks for sharing. I will research more next Monday when I have the day off.
Beyond criticism, we experience that blogs are the simplest way to express ones feeling about the topic being discussed. You just have to put your fingers on keys and write the first thing that comes to your mind and you can see it up, visible to hundreds of thousands of people, the very next moment.
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Its too bad you destroyed the xray along with some of the other peices I would have loved to buy them from you. Here is an idea for fan participation have the fans send in change and use it to make something then bring it to a coinstar then give it away or use the change to buy stamps to send a copy of the art on postcards back to those who sent it in
Thanks for sharing
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Sand, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
I am not sure that I can completely understand your comments. Would you be so kind as to expand on your reasoning a little more before I comment.
I read similar article also named Sand, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me
I found your blog via Google while searching for sony drop shipper and your post regarding Sand looks very interesting to me. I always enjoy coming to this site because you offer great tips and advice for people like me who can always use a few good pointers. I will be getting my friends to pop around fairly soon.
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100%, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong.
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